NSX Virtual Networking Configuration with vCenter Plug-in
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In this article, we will explore the virtual networking configuration of NSX using the vCenter plug-in. We will build upon the installation we completed previously and dive deeper into the network topology view from the NSX manager interface.
Before we begin, let’s recap the differences between a full NSX virtual networking installation and a security-only installation:
* A full NSX virtual networking installation provides both network virtualization and security features, while a security-only installation only provides security capabilities.
* In a full NSX installation, all components necessary to create and manage virtual networks, including virtual switches, routers, and load balancers, are installed and configured.
* In contrast, a security-only installation only installs the security-related components of NSX, such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and security groups.
Now, let’s move on to the virtual networking configuration using the vCenter plug-in. We will start by creating a VLAN trunk, which we will use later during deployment.
Step 1: Creating a VLAN Trunk
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From the vSphere Client menu, select NSX. From the wizard, select the Virtual Networking Get Started option. We will be using the wizard to (re)build our NSX Site A as detailed here. All IP addressing and VLAN selection will be taken from this post.
Next, we will create a VLAN trunk that we will use later during deployment. To do this, select the cluster to prepare and the VDS for networking, then click Next.
Step 2: Selecting Overlay Network VLAN
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Next, we select our VLAN for our overlay network. This VLAN will be used to connect our virtual machines to the physical network. We will use the VLAN 100.64.0.0/24.
Step 3: Configuring Edge Networking
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Now, we will configure our edge networking. This is where the trunk we created earlier comes in. We will use the trunk to connect our virtual machines to the physical network.
Step 4: Creating a Segment
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Next, we will create a segment called VM-APPS and give it the IP address CIDR of 192.168.40.0/24. This segment will be used to connect our virtual machines to the physical network.
Step 5: Deploying Edges
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Now, we will deploy our edges. We will create two edges, one for each site. We will use the same VLAN 100.64.0.0/24 for both edges.
Step 6: Configuring BGP Peering
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Next, we will configure BGP peering between our NSX Tier-0 gateway and an OPNsense router. We will use the same network topology view from the NSX manager interface to check the infrastructure the wizard has built for us.
Conclusion
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In this article, we have explored the virtual networking configuration of NSX using the vCenter plug-in. We have created a VLAN trunk, selected our overlay network VLAN, configured edge networking, created a segment, deployed edges, and configured BGP peering. The infrastructure built by the wizard includes a Tier-0 gateway, two edges, and a segment connecting our virtual machines to the physical network.