vCloud 8.20 for SPs without NSX?

[goodgrief]

Hi,

Is it possible to deploy vCloud for service providers 8.20 without NSX and what would you lose by doing so? Just wondering for budgetary reasons. Thanks!

[solgaeDK · Accepted solution]

You must have an NSX manager paired with a vCenter before you can add a vCenter to the vCD.

But that doesn't mean you have to use any of the NSX functionality. In fact, you don't have to set up any of the NSX components or even license it (outside of the default NSX Endpoint license that gets generated automatically by default) other than deploying a manager appliance. You can still add external network(s) (backed by regular vSphere portgroup, standard or distributed), and then add a direct access org network to one or more external network for each organization VDC. Of course, the external network has to be managed manually at your network stack for separation between orgs and/or VDCs. Also, if you want each org to manage their own network/routing/firewall, you'll have to provide that means outside of vCD.

Bear in mind, if you're part of the vCAN program, NSX is usually included with vCD unless you choose to go standalone, and has varying license levels.

[goodgrief]

Thanks for that! Will see what vCloud sku they got.

[vmb01]

If I deploy an NSX manager paired with a vCenter and I add external network(s) backed by regular vSphere portgroup,  is it possible to have some routed org/vapp networks withou deployng any NSX controller ?

[Raducanu]

Routing must be done by an external router. As you are not using NSX, there is no router avaiable

[JW_KC]

is this answer still valid for the latest version 10.2 Do you still need to install  NSX manager to use VCD 10.2 when not using NSX?

[paluszekd]

Yes, we still require a NSX-v Manager during the new vCenter addition workflow. However, as others stated, one can use dvPG backed Network Pools and essentially use External Networks (and Direct from an org). NSX-T can be paired also within a site. If you're in VCPP, NSX DC SP-Base is included in the base bundle.

[JW_KC]

Perfect, thank you so much for replying on this old thread.

[JW_KC]

paluszekd​ i was wondering if you could advise about the required NFS as well. I posted it in a new questions, as this is off topic here.

standalone vCloud Director without NFS (10.2)

[TheLittleOne]

Hi,

I deployed an vCloud Director 10.2  and the NSX-V Manager (without any configuration). 

If I try to create a VM in a VCDs, I have the problem that under the network selection I can not select a network it says none.

Has anybody a good idea what I am missing.

I want to achieve that I can deploy/manage VMs with the vCloud Director and for the moment without NSX.

Thanks.

[LeNNyfromNL]

Hi,

You need to configure your VLAN backed portgroups as "External Networks" in VCD. Only then you can assign an external network to an Org VDC to be used for VM's.

[TheLittleOne]

Hi,

thanks for the response, I had created a VLAN backed portgroup as Extenal Network in VCD. But in the orgVDC, if I want to create a Direct Network I did not get any option only a blank white screen. I have installed vCloud Dirctor 10.1.2 and now it works as you described.

Thanks