VMware ESXi 5 MPLS support

[morganyang1982]

I am curious if the virtual switch can provide some MPLS support so that can be offloaded from the VM? Right now the Virtual switch looks like a simple layer2 switch. Is it possible to obtain more capabilities in the enterprise Vsphere?

[mcowger]

The vSwitch provided by VMware truly is a layer 2 device only.

However, if you have enterprise, you could look at the Cisco Nexus 1000V, which has additional capbilities.

[morganyang1982]

Thanks for the reply. Is Cisco Nexus 1000v a VMware based rack mount solution from Cisco (that's just a x86 rack mount running their vm's)? If so, do you know how much will that cost (a rough ball park figure)?

[a_p_]

The NEXUS 1000V is a software based solution which required Enterprise Plus licensing for the hosts. For features and pricing take a look at e.g. http://www.vmware.com/products/cisco-nexus-1000V/buy.html

André

[mcowger · Accepted solution]

It VMware based, but not rackmount.  It just runs as a VM on every ESXi host.

You'd have to ask cisco for licensing costs.