VMware NSX: Delivering Network on Demand and Virtual Network Security

VMware NSX is a network virtualization product that provides on-demand networking and security for private and public cloud environments. It offers a complete Layer 2-Layer 7 networking and security virtualization platform that brings the public cloud experience to your private cloud. With NSX, you can deliver network services such as routing, switching, and security policies in a software-defined manner, providing more agility and flexibility for your applications.

NSX-V vs NSX-T: Understanding the Differences

VMware launched NSX-V as its first product for vSphere only, but later introduced NSX-T to support vSphere, KVM, bare metal, and other hypervisors. NSX-T is designed to span a software-defined network and security infrastructure across platforms other than just vSphere alone.

NSX-T Edge: A Logical Router for Physical Network Connectivity

NSX-T Edge is a logical router in a virtual machine form factor or bare metal that provides connectivity between NSX virtual networks and physical networks. It is a T0 (Tier 0) gateway that supports dynamic routing protocols such as BGP/OSPF, as well as static routing for connectivity between NSX Edge and physical network routers. Each logical router in NSX-T contains a services router (SR) and a distributed router (DR).

NSX-V vs NSX-T Terminology: Understanding the Key Differences

NSX-V and NSX-T have some key differences in their terminology. For example, NSX-V uses the term “Virtual Distributed Switch” (VDS) to refer to a logical router, while NSX-T uses the term “Transport zone” to refer to a logical router. Additionally, NSX-V uses the term “Port groups” to refer to segments or logical switches, while NSX-T uses the term “Segments” to refer to logical switches.

NSX Federation: Supporting Policy Mode Only

NSX Federation supports only policy mode, which means that all objects created in policy mode have different names depending on which interface was used to create them. For example, segments created using policy mode are called “Logical Switches,” while those created using manager mode are called “Tier-1 gateways.”

Conclusion

VMware NSX is a powerful network virtualization platform that provides on-demand networking and security for private and public cloud environments. With its ability to span a software-defined network and security infrastructure across platforms, NSX offers more agility and flexibility for applications. Understanding the differences between NSX-V and NSX-T, as well as their terminology, is essential for successful deployment and management of NSX in your environment.