Shared l2 bridging domains for l3 virtual networks

A method, comprising:

• receiving data traffic from a plurality of hosts;
• segmenting layer 2 (L2) traffic and layer 3 (L3) traffic from the data traffic;
• classifying the L3 traffic prior to bridging to a plurality of L3 shadow virtual local area networks (SVLANs), wherein each SVLAN is associated with a disparate application-specific L3 virtual network (vNET);
• bridging the L2 traffic via a shared L2 domain;
• and
• routing the L3 traffic to one of the disparate application-specific L3 vNETs.

A system, comprising:

• means for receiving data traffic from a plurality of hosts;
• means for segmenting layer 2 (L2) and layer (L3) routable data traffic, wherein the segmentation occurs prior to bridging L3 routable data traffic to a plurality of application-specific L3 shadow virtual local area networks (SVLANs);
• a component that classifies the routable L3 data traffic based upon the type of application in which the data traffic is associated;
• means for delivering the L2 data traffic within a shared L2 domain;
• and
• means for bridging the L3 routable data traffic to at least one of the plurality of application-specific L3 SVLANs.