distributed switch local network

[z3d3m0n]

Hello Community,

i have a rather noob question,

is it possible to connect two ESXI hosts into a local network with help of distributed switch if they are both connected to vCenter

is there a manual or how to make it happen .

any tips are appreciated

thx in advance

[scott28tt]

Depending on what you mean by "local network" then yes - in theory you would have the option of using vSphere Standard Switches (vSS) or vSphere Distributed Switches (vDS), if your hosts are licensed to support vDS.

Setup guides and other considerations are here: About vSphere Networking

[z3d3m0n]

i need create a vm network on both esxi and to be able to ping from one vm on esxi a to another vm on esxi b on the same vcetner , can it be done with distributed switch ? or i need a phisical connection ?

[sjesse]

if you have two esxi hosts you need physical connections so the vms on both of them can communicate.

[scott28tt · Accepted solution]

I think you're misunderstanding what a vDS does, and even how virtual networking works.

Whether you are using vSS or vDS, VMs on different hosts need physical connectivity - like this:

In the above graphic, if using vSS you would need to create the vSwitch and VM Port Group on every host individually - with a vDS you create the vSwitch and VM Port Group centrally and "apply" it to multiple hosts.

A vDS is a logical construct that uses a single "control plane" across multiple hosts (ie. the definition of your VM Port Groups)

Regardless of vSS or vDS, you need physical connectivity though.

[z3d3m0n]

thank you for such a detailed explanation , it's all clear now