In a VMware vSphere environment, connecting an ESXi host to more than the recommended maximum of 16 VMware Distributed Switches (vDS) can lead to unexpected behavior and is generally not a supported configuration. The maximum limit of 16 vDS per host is defined for various reasons, including management and resource allocation considerations.
While some of these vDS may not have active physical uplinks, they are still part of the host's configuration and consume resources such as memory and CPU cycles. Going significantly beyond the recommended limits can potentially lead to performance issues, management complexity, and unintended consequences.
While it may be technically possible to connect an ESXi host to more than 16 vDS by creating additional vDS with no active physical uplinks, doing so is not advisable from a best practices standpoint. VMware recommends adhering to the documented configuration limits to ensure stability and predictability in your virtualization environment.
If you find yourself in a situation where you believe you need to exceed these limits for a specific use case or requirement, it's a good idea to reach out to VMware support or consult with a VMware representative for guidance. They can provide insights into whether there are alternative solutions or configurations that can meet your needs while staying within supported limits.
