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Virtual Distributed Switches

A VMware vNetwork Distributed Switch abstracts the configuration of virtual switches from the host to the datacenter level. A vNetwork Distributed Switch operates as a single virtual switch that spans across all hosts in a datacenter which are associated with that switch. vNetwork Distributed Switches consist of distributed port groups which are similarly configured to port groups on standard switches, but extend across multiple hosts. These properties allow virtual machines to maintain a consistent network configuration as they migrate among multiple hosts.

Like a vNetwork Standard Switch, each vNetwork Distributed Switch is a network hub that VMs can use. A vNetwork Distributed Switch can forward traffic internally between VMs or link to an external network by connecting to physical NICs (uplink adapters). For further details, see the vNetwork Distributed Switches documentation at http://pubs.vmware.com.

CA Virtual Assurance VM provisioning supports VMware vNetwork Distributed Switches and Cisco Nexus 1000V Switches. You can manage Virtual Distributed Switches through the vNetwork panel, AutoShell, or CLI commands.

You can expand the Virtual Distributed Switch objects to see the associated portgroups and uplink groups.

• The port groups contain associated VMs that use the portgroup.
• The Uplink Groups list the physical uplink adapters.

More Information

Policies

vSwitch Properties

Port Group Properties

Virtual Machine Counts