vNetwork Distributed Switch

[sarkmo]

So I am gearing up to install vSphere 5.5 and was beginning the virtual network design. I was planning on creating Distributed Switches when I read that only vSphere Enterprise PLUS supports the vNetwork Distributed Switch. Is this correct?? Am I only able to create Standard Switches on each Host? Is there a way to export the configuration of a Standard Switch like you can with a Distributed Switch?

[rh5592 · Accepted solution]

I was planning on creating Distributed Switches when I read that only vSphere Enterprise PLUS supports the vNetwork Distributed Switch. Is this correct?? -->Yes

Am I only able to create Standard Switches on each Host?--> If license is lower than Enterprise, then Yes

Is there a way to export the configuration of a Standard Switch like you can with a Distributed Switch? No. But there are a lots of PowerCLI scripts available that can help you mass deploy a Standard Switch configuration.

[MKguy]

Yes, unfortunately the dvSwitch requires vSphere Enterprise Plus licensees.

Another way to automate standard vSwitches would be using the Host Profile feature but alas, that is only available with Enterprise Plus as well. Ba Dum Tss.

As mentioned above scripting with PowerCLI is probably your best bet.

[admin]

as stated Enterprise Plus licensing is needed for a vNetwork Distributed Switch.  You can create one under Enterprise licensing, but don't be fooled, you can't use it.

Maybe VMware will someday take away the ability to even create one based on the licensing model.

You'll need to either be running in evaulation mode, or Enterprise Pls.

If you want to test first, just get an eval license and test it in your lab