Implementing a multi-node private network using SDN

NickyDoes

Member
May 16, 2022
16
2
8
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
I'm new to SDN, and passably proficient in networking, but learning.

Currently, I have one Proxmox VE v8.2 node with multiple networks (bridges) - LAN, SAN, security. Each routes to a physical adapter or a VLAN on an adapter. I don't have a private network - one that is only for VM/LXC - VM/LXC communications, e.g. database. I've created a bridge with no IP addr, but it seems to fail with I start a machine attached to it, though I haven't pursued this approach further. It seems I have a few options. What are the advantages of the SDN approach?

Option 1: single node network using a VM bridge:

  1. Create a VM bridge (e.g. vmbr1)
  2. Add a second network adapter (e.g. net1) each VM and attach to vmbr1.
  3. Route private traffic through the private network adapter.

Advantage: easy to set up and maintain
Drawback: doesn't traverse Proxmox nodes


Option 2: multi-node network using SDN:
  1. ???

Advantage: correctly uses the SDN infrastructure, ready for expansion, ???
Drawback: something new to learn, appears to be more complex, at least initially, fairly new, not as well documented or explained by the community