Way back when virtualization was a new thing, virtual networks were simple connections that linked virtual servers and the occasional networking appliance. Now, however, things are different. Building and managing a virtual network is part and parcel of running a virtual infrastructure and is akin to managing a physical network.
That’s even more the case when you’re building a hybrid environment that stretches between on-premises systems and cloud infrastructure. Suddenly you’re having to manage a network that mixes your own physical and virtual systems with those at your cloud provider, while adding in the complexity of either a VPN or a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) direct connection to link your site to the cloud. It’s not easy, but the big clouds like Azure provide tools to help you.
