Methods And Systems For Forwarding Network Packets Within Virtual Machine Host Systems

Abstract

Methods and systems for forwarding network packets within virtual machine (VM) host systems are disclosed that provide virtual packet brokers and related virtual test access ports (TAPs) within VM host hardware systems. One or more processing devices are operated to provide a virtual machine (VM) platform, virtual test access port(s) (TAPs), and a virtual packet broker within a virtualization layer. Network packets are then received using the virtual TAPs and copied network packets are sent from the virtual TAPs to the virtual packet broker. The virtual packet broker applies packet content filter(s) to the copied network packets to determine selected packets within the copied network packets to forward to virtual and/or external network packet analysis tool(s). Virtual switches can also be provided within the virtualization layer to forward packets among a plurality of VM platforms and/or external networks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.