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Secure Virtual Network Configuration for Virtual Machine (VM) Protection

Published

Author(s)

Ramaswamy Chandramouli

Abstract

Virtual Machines (VMs) are key resources to be protected since they are the compute engines hosting mission-critical applications. Since VMs are end-nodes of a virtual network, the configuration of the virtual network forms an important element in the security of VMs and their hosted applications. The virtual network configuration areas discussed in this documentation are: Network Segmentation, Network path redundancy, firewall deployment architecture and VM Traffic Monitoring. The various configuration options under these areas are analyzed for their advantages and disadvantages and a set of security recommendations are provided.
Citation
Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-125B
Report Number
800-125B

Keywords

VLAN, Overlay Network, Virtual Firewall, Virtual Machine, Virtual Network Segmentation

Citation

Chandramouli, R. (2016), Secure Virtual Network Configuration for Virtual Machine (VM) Protection, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-125B (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created March 7, 2016, Updated November 10, 2018
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