Distributed switch licensing

[arrodriguez]

I have seen that the distributed switch functionality is available in vsan standard and in vsphere enterprise. If I purchase vsan standard and vsphere standard, can I use the distributed switch? Does vsphere need to be enterprise for the distributed switch included in vsan to work?

Thank you!

[nachogonzalez]

Hello, hope all is well.
Can you please provide more details on what are you enquiring about?

In case it's the licensing requirements for vSphere Distributed Switches it is vSphere Enterprise Plus
https://www.nakivo.com/blog/vmware-distributed-switch-configuration/#:~:text=VMware%20distributed%20....

https://www.altaro.com/vmware/vsphere-distributed-switch-guide/

Keep in mind if you have vSAN or NSX the vDS license is included.

[nachogonzalez]

Hey, how are you?

Please check out this link:

https://www.altaro.com/vmware/vsphere-distributed-switch-guide/

Unlike the vSphere Standard Switch found with all vSphere license types and even with free ESXi, the vSphere Distributed Switch is only available with the vSphere Enterprise Plus license. However, many may not realize they get the vSphere Distributed Switch as part of a vSAN license. The vDS provides many advantages for performance in a vSAN environment due to using Network I/O Control (NIOC).

[nachogonzalez]

As for your question if vSphere needs to be enterprise:
Please check out this communities post:
https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-vSAN-Discussions/vSAN-on-vSphere-essential-plus-ESXi-hosts/...

You can use vSphere Essentials with vSAN given that vSAN contains the vDS license.

[arrodriguez]

I am managing supply and installation of a VSAN solution. Contact with various providers, proposing distributed switch as required. One of them proposes vsphere 8.0 standard + vsan 8.0 standard The other vsphere 8.0 enterprise plus + vsan advanced Is a distributed switch available and functional in both proposals?

Thank you!

P.D. ¿Puedo seguir en español?

[nachogonzalez]

Hey, how are you?
Please check this doc:
https://www.vmware.com/content/dam/digitalmarketing/vmware/en/pdf/products/vsan/vmware-vsan-licensin...

Any of the vSAN Licenses includes vDS licenses so I'd say it's safe to go with both proposals.

If money is not a huge concern I would go with vSphere Enterprise Plus for the DRS, managing an environment without DRS it's possible but becomes an operational burden.

https://www.vmware.com/content/dam/digitalmarketing/vmware/en/pdf/docs/vmw-datasheet-vsphere-product...


As for the Spanish, I don't see any issue, but we would need to ask the mods to re-categorize this thread into the Spanish sub, to be able to help all the people that use the communities I'd prefer to finish in English and if you have any further question feel free to reach out, my contact details are below.