Networking best practice for 2 hosts with 4 nics

[Blan68]

Whats the best practice for networking configuration with two Esxi 5 hosts, each with 4 nics.?  Our storage will be SAS connected. We will need to have about 10-12 VMs.  Our network is a flat network so we prefe not having to use any vlans if possible. We have a Essentials license so we can use vmotion.  Trying to get a better grip on how to properly isolate vmotion and mgmt  traffic  from the production.

[Josh26]

This is far and away the most FAQ here, it's frustrating to see a question four times on the first page of a forum.

There's no strict "best practice" because there's several elements open to interpretation, however, the obvious answer would be:

One vSwitch with two pNics. Has a vmkernel for management and vmotion.

One vSswitch with the remaining pNics. Has a VM portgroup

If your switch won't do VLANs and you connect all four ports to the same switch - isolating is pretty much a thereotical exercise. Either upgrade the switch or accept that these things are not isolated.

[julienvarela]

Hi,

In your Case, you can create only 1 vswitch with 3 port Group : Add all you vmnic on this vswitch and use explicit failover order, you will dedicate a vmnic only for your vMotion.

-     1 Management Port Group : Active vmnic : 0/1/2  - Standby : 3

-     1 VMkernel Port Group : VMotion Active vmnic : 3 - Standby : 0/1/2

-     1 Port Group : Virtual Machine : Active vmnic : 0/1/2 - Standby : 3

You host will load balance accross your nics.

Regards,

Julien.

[a_p_]

+1 for julienvarela's suggestion.

Btw you mentioned "We have a Essentials license so we can use vmotion.". In case you didn't just omit the "Plus", vMotion is available with Essentials Plus or better.

André