Configuring a VDS

Typically, setting up a Distributed switch is something you do the first time you install, and then you create a host profile to duplicate it to other hosts. So it is one of the things that is good to know that at least I do not do it all too often.

1. Create a VMware Distributed Switch (VDS)

• Login to vSphere Web Client:
  • Open the vSphere Web Client and log in with appropriate credentials.
• Navigate to the Networking Section:
  • Go to Networking > Right-click on the data center where you want to create the VDS > Distributed Switch > New Distributed Switch.

• Configure Basic Settings:
  • Name and Location: Enter a name for the VDS and select the location within the data center.
  • Select Version: Choose the version of the distributed switch. The version you select determines the features available for the VDS.
  • Number of Uplinks: Specify the number of uplink ports (which correspond to physical NICs on hosts).
  • Network I/O Control: Decide whether to enable Network I/O Control (NIOC).
• Review and Finish:
  • Review the settings and click Finish to create the VDS.

2. Add Hosts to the Distributed Switch

• Add Hosts to VDS:
  • Right-click on the newly created VDS > Add and Manage Hosts.

• Select Hosts:
  • Select the hosts you want to add to the VDS.
• Manage Physical Adapters:
  • Assign physical NICs (vmnics) on the host to uplink ports on the distributed switch.
• Manage VMkernel Adapters:
  • If needed, you can migrate VMkernel adapters (used for management, vMotion, etc.) to the new VDS.
• Migrate Virtual Machine Networking:
  • Optionally, migrate VM network adapters to the distributed switch.
• Review and Finish:
  • Review the configuration and click Finish.

3. Create Distributed Port Groups

• Create a New Distributed Port Group:
  • Right-click on the distributed switch > Distributed Port Group > New Distributed Port Group.

• Configure Port Group Settings:
  • Name and Location: Enter a name for the port group.
  • VLAN Configuration: Set the VLAN ID if you are using VLAN tagging.
  • Traffic Shaping and Security: Configure settings such as traffic shaping, security policies, and teaming/failover policies if needed.
• Review and Finish:
  • Review the settings and click Finish.

4. Attach Virtual Machines to Distributed Port Groups

• Edit VM Network Settings:
  • Select the virtual machine you want to connect to the VDS > Edit Settings.
• Assign Network Adapter:
  • Select the appropriate distributed port group under the Network Adapter section.
• Apply Changes:
  • Save the changes, and the virtual machine’s network traffic will now pass through the VDS.

5. Monitor and Manage the Distributed Switch

• Monitor VDS:
  • Use the vSphere Web Client to monitor traffic, check uplink status, and manage port group policies.
• Manage Policies:
  • You can configure advanced policies like Load Balancing, Failover Order, and Security Settings at the VDS or port group level.

6. Back Up the VDS Configuration

• Export Configuration:
  • It’s a good practice to back up the VDS configuration. Right-click the VDS > Export Configuration to save a copy.

This guide covers the basic steps to configure a VMware Distributed Switch. Depending on your environment, you may need to perform additional tasks, such as configuring Private VLANs, LACP, or other advanced settings.