[vbox-dev] VirtualBox Networking Model - new idea

[Alexey Eremenko]

On 2/7/07, Alexey Eremenko <al4321 at gmail.com> wrote:
> and a bit more about networking:
>
> - Why is the TAP driver is "so needed"?
> You say that Linux has something like this already, so you provide it
> only for Windows.
>
> a. Actually, all Windows NT-based systems has something like this included.
>
> The MS loopback can be added via Control Panel/Add Hardware/New
> Hardware/Manual/Network Adaptors/Microsoft.
> It is treated as just another NIC.
> Does your TAP driver provide you with features that you *absolutely* must-have?
> If not, then it's better to use the MS one, because it's signed. (and
> gives no stupid driver signature warnings during adding of an extra
> NIC)
>
> -------------------------
> b. I think that the current networking model needs new revision: (if I
> understood your networking model correctly)
> :
> it can be much more scalable, if it will be done the "Microsoft
> Virtual PC 2004"-way; (or if you hate MS way, then look at the
> Open-Source emulator "Dynagen"-way)
>  that is: I think that we don't have to use any such TAP driver at
> all. We can use the host network interface directly - of course we
> need some way to enumerate them - two ways exists: Windows Registry or
> WinPCap. (BTW: Open-Source Wireshark, while not an emulator, also uses
> this technique)
>
> With this approach hubs will be created automatically, without any
> need to define bridges manually. Windows 2000 host will be supported
> much better this way (because AFAIK it doesn't have bridging) and
> Windows XP host won't be limited to one bridge as it is now.
>
> As a bonus, the Linux host networking will become piece-a-cake -
> instead of manually creating TAP interfaces and then bridging them to
> real host interfaces (manually again, all via command-line), this new
> approach will enable to integrate it all nicely within a GUI so
> click-click-click will solve it all. Basically a Linux user, working
> with a GUI-only, will be able to achieve host-networking effect under
> Linux very easily !
>
> The possible downside costs is an extra dependency: libpcap/WinPCap
> (to make things cross-platform).
>
> Please be patient, because I might be incorrect in some cases;
> after-all I looked at your software for only one day.
> Please tell me where I'm right and where I'm not.
>
> -Alexey Eremenko (CCNA, Cisco Certified Network Associate)
>