Abstract: A system and method for implementing and management virtual networks is disclosed. A method includes receiving a network packet arriving at a first network interface of a first node of an underlying network, communicating at least the packet and an identifier of the first network interface to a decision engine, determining how the packet should be processed based on a simulation by the decision engine of a traversal of a virtual network topology including a plurality of virtual network devices, wherein the decision engine communicates with a shared database accessible from the underlying network that stores the virtual network topology and virtual device configurations for the plurality of virtual network devices; and processing the packet based upon the simulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual network implementation and management based on a peer-to-peer metadata exchange are disclosed. Metadata pertaining to a flow traversing a virtual network overlaying an underlying network is generated in accordance with actions executed to send data packets via the underlying network relative to the virtual network. The metadata is encapsulated in one or more control packets sent to a set of nodes of the underlying network. Each node of the set of nodes maintains a copy of the metadata received in the one or more control packets in a local data store. The metadata is accessed via the local data store when needed to process packets of the flow.