Virtual Distributed Switches

[scotty_p]

I am trying to set up Virtual Distributed Switches in vCenter. I created the distributed switch, then the port groups. When I rt. click the distributed switch > add host, there are no hosts available. I have 3 hosts in a cluster but I can't see any of them. Any ideas how to add them? We have an Enterprise license. Is Enterprise Plus required to add hosts? I would think it wouldn't even let you add the distributed switch if that was the case.

Thanks,

Scott

[Kasraeian · Accepted solution]

according to this document you should use Ent Plus License for dvSwitch.

I have a question, how many NIC your Host have and how many of them already used in VSS (Standard vSwitch)?

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MCTS, VCP

[scotty_p]

I have 8 NICs on the server and all of them are being used. Is that a problem?

[Kasraeian]

As i mention above, according to the VMware vSphere Pricing, the vDS would be available in Ent Plus, but as long as you have the dvSwitch let test this.

can you make one of your pNIC free and un assign it from your current standard switch and test if you can add that host.

in my personal experience (which i don't know if related to this or not), as long as you don't have any free (un assigned physical NIC), you can't add that host and uplink to dvSwitch.

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MCTS, VCP

[scotty_p]

I freed up a NIC, but still no luck.

Are you saying that if all your physical NICs are used in vswitches that you can't add a distributed virtual switch? I thought you just port them over from the old standard switches?

[Kasraeian]

No, I didn't mean you have to free all your port or all ports must be unused in order to moving to dvSwitch.

I said, in my personal experience (which may be ok in that situation - my Home LAB), i have to free one to join it to vDS.

But you can join the already used uplink from standard switch to the new dvSwitch using the Migration wizard in network section.

So the unused uplink is not a "Must".

I think It's related to your license. when did you create that dvSwitch?

Before applying the license to vcenter and Hosts or after that, because in the evaluation mode all feature can be used, so you can create it before that.

(but i don't know after applying the License, what will happen to already used feature like dvSwitch!)

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MCTS, VCP

[Kasraeian]

Check this link, I hope it help.

This guide is intended to help users understand the various scenarios and considerations for migration to the vNetwork Distributed Switch (vDS). It also includes a step-by-step guide on migration from a Standard Switch environment to a vDS environment.

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MCTS, VCP

[scotty_p]

We only have the Enterprise License which was applied about 2 months ago when we upgraded to vSphere. I'm thinking this is probably because of the license. I've tried a few things and freeing up NICs, but still no luck attaching it to a host. We'll have to look into upgrading our license.

Thanks for your help.

Scott

[Troy_Clavell]

as stated vNetwork Distributed Switches are only available with Enterprise Plus licensing. Although you will be able to create them, you cannot use them.

http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/buy/editions_comparison.html

[scotty_p]

That's what we're experiencing. Thanks.

[abugeja]

Im having the exact same issues as scotty p is. Has anyone found a easy solution yet?

[a_p_]

Im having the exact same issues as scotty p

If it's the "exact same" issue you may read the answers in this discussions. If it is not exactly the same, please open a new discussion rather than replying to a 3 year old one

André