© Copyright Lenovo 2016 Chapter 20: VMready 351Virtual Distributed SwitchA virtual Distributed Switch (vDS ) allows the hypervisor’s NIC to be attached tothe vDS instead of its own virtual switch. The vDS connects to the vCenter andspans across multiple hypervisors in a datacenter. The administrator can managevirtual machine networking for the entire data center from a single interface. ThevDS enables centralized provisioning and administration of virtual machinenetworking in the data center using the VMware vCenter server.When a member is added to a distributed VM group, a distributed port group iscreated on the vDS. The member is then added to the distributed port group.Distributed port groups on a vDS are available to all hypervisors that areconnected to the vDS. Members of a single distributed port group cancommunicate with each other.Note: vDS works with ESX 4.0 or higher versions.To add a vDS, use the command:PrerequisitesBefore adding a vDS on the G8264, ensure the following: VMware vCenter is fully installed and configured and includes a “bladevm”administration account and a valid SSL certificate. A virtual distributed switch instance has been created on the vCenter. The vDSversion must be higher or the same as the hypervisor version on the hosts. At least two hypervisors are configured.GuidelinesBefore migrating VMs to a vDS, consider the following: At any one time, a VM NIC can be associated with only one virtual switch: to thehypervisor’s virtual switch, or to the vDS. Management connection to the server must be ensured during the migration.The connection is via the Service Console or the Kernel/Management Interface. The vDS configuration and migration can be viewed in vCenter at the followinglocations: vDS: Home> Inventory > Networking vDS Hosts: Home > Inventory > Networking > vDS > HostsNote: These changes will not be displayed in the running configuration on theG8264.RS G8264# virt vmware dvswitch add name> name>[‐version>]