VMware is one of the leading companies in virtualization and network management. In the field of network virtualization, it offers a range of solutions for organizations and network professionals.
Each of these solutions offers good flexibility in network management and optimal resource utilization. In this article, we will become acquainted with some of the robust virtualization solutions provided by this company, and then examine the architecture of one of them in more detail.
1. VMware NSX
VMware NSX is a network virtualization solution that enables organizations to define virtual cloud networks most efficiently. Using NSX, networks are implemented independently of the physical infrastructure and are managed as software. More precisely, we will cover all network concepts, both logically and virtually.
NSX provides features such as virtual routing, communication between virtual and physical networks, microsegmentation-based network security, and network infrastructure management. NSX uses various technologies such as virtual routing, software-defined firewalls, subnetting, implementation of overlay networks (VXLAN), load balancing, and traffic analysis to ensure network bandwidth is used correctly.
Two significant advantages that NSX provides to organizations are process automation and high scalability. Additionally, NSX offers efficient security features and uses microsegmentation technology to segregate network traffic and provide more granular access control.
This set of features makes NSX suitable for data center environments and virtual network implementations, enabling companies to make the most of their infrastructure. Based on these explanations, NSX enables network administrators to manage networks centrally, simplify the migration of virtual machines between servers, and significantly increase infrastructure security, making it much harder for hackers to attack NSX-based networks.
2. VMware vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS)
The vDS (vSphere Distributed Switch) is a virtual switch that serves virtualized networks in environments based on VMware vSphere.
This switch provides centralized management of virtual networks and enables network experts to manage virtual switches just as they would physical ones.
Using a vDS, network settings can be managed uniformly and centrally, providing access to capabilities like virtual local area networks (VLANs), trunking, Quality of Service (QoS), and network traffic monitoring.
To use a vDS, a set of vSphere hosts must be connected to the switch, and network settings are applied centrally on the switch.
The vSphere Distributed Switch enables migrating machines using vMotion between different physical hosts. Using a vDS, machines can be moved from one host to another without changing network settings, since network settings are applied at the virtual switch level.
It should be noted that vMotion is a technology that allows the live migration of virtual machines without any downtime or need to power them off. The vSphere Distributed Switch also includes high-level security features. Using security features such as Private VLANs (PVLANs) and port-based security settings, access to network resources can be controlled and network security improved.
Furthermore, by using centralized network management with the vSphere Distributed Switch, network performance and capabilities can be enhanced, the management process simplified, and network resources used optimally.
3. VMware NSX-T
VMware NSX-T is another network virtualization solution used for defining multi-cloud and heterogeneous environments. NSX-T provides features such as virtual routing, microsegmentation-based firewalls, traffic load balancing, and centralized network management.
Also, NSX-T allows the creation and management of virtual networks in both VMware and non-VMware environments, demonstrating the product’s high flexibility.
This technology has many enthusiasts in Iran, and various companies use it. NSX-T is designed to virtualize complex network environments, including container-based ones, so organizations can easily implement cloud networks. NSX-T, like its predecessors, uses a microsegmentation architecture that virtualizes and segregates network traffic.
With NSX-T, while virtual networks are installed on the physical infrastructure, they operate independently of one another and can be configured and managed through software. NSX-T provides powerful features for network virtualization, virtual routing, networking, and load balancing.
Additionally, it provides network experts with a selection of the best security features to counter hacking threats, including a WAF (Web Application Firewall), network traffic analysis, network isolation, and user access management.
NSX-T offers high flexibility in integrating with other solutions and tools through its APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), allowing network administrators to automate interactions across infrastructures easily. With VMware NSX-T, virtual networks can be implemented across various environments, and unified network management can be achieved.
4. VMware vCloud NFV
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) replaces hardware requirements with virtual machines. In this state, virtual machines use a hypervisor to run network software and processes such as routing and load balancing. NFV enables the decoupling of communication services from dedicated hardware, such as routers and firewalls.
This decoupling means that networks can dynamically provide new services to users without installing new hardware. Deploying network components using NFV technology takes only a few hours, rather than months, which is the direct opposite of traditional network implementation.
Also, virtualized services can run on cheaper, general-purpose servers instead of dedicated hardware. Important reasons why companies turn to NFV technology include the following:
- Pay-as-you-go: NFV’s pay-as-you-go models can reduce costs, allowing businesses to pay only for what they need.
- Less equipment: Since NFV runs on virtual machines rather than physical ones, it requires less equipment, thereby significantly reducing operational costs.
- Scalability: Scaling network architecture with virtual machines is faster and easier, with no need to purchase additional hardware.
Based on these explanations, vCloud NFV enables the creation and management of cloud-based virtual networks, the provisioning of network services, and the creation of an efficient virtual network topology. This solution includes components such as VMware vSphere, VMware NSX, and VMware vCloud Director, which work together to provide capabilities such as automation, flexibility, and scalability.
In general, VMware vCloud NFV is a network virtualization solution used by Mobile Communications Service Providers (MCSPs). Using vCloud NFV, telecommunications companies and mobile service providers can virtualize their networks and provide network services to subscribers over a virtual infrastructure. This solution also uses a microsegmentation-based architecture, enabling companies to virtualize and segment traffic.
vCloud NFV provides capabilities and features for network virtualization, traffic load balancing, network security, and service management in mobile communications. With this solution, virtual networks based on virtual routing, tunneling, and traffic steering can be defined, and network service management can be automated.
Furthermore, vCloud NFV supports technologies like NSC (Network Service Chaining), fault tolerance, and simple machine migration. This solution enables the creation of a multi-purpose, extensible network infrastructure, allowing companies to deliver network services with high flexibility and efficiency—vCloud NFV can interoperate with other solutions, such as VMware vSphere and VMware NSX. Therefore, if you use the technologies above in an infrastructure, you will have the highest level of communication and integration.
VMware has released other products in the field of virtualization, each used to meet a part of the business needs. However, NSX-T is more critical compared to other examples. Accordingly, we dedicate the second part of the article to the architecture and usage of this technology.
What is the architecture of VMware NSX-T?
VMware NSX-T is a software-defined networking platform that improves network management and security by segregating traffic through a microsegmentation architecture. The essential components of this architecture include the following:
- NSX-T Manager: This is the key and central component of NSX-T that controls the functionality of other elements. Additionally, this component is responsible for managing all NSX-T operations, including network configuration, microsegment management, firewall rules, and user management.
- NSX-T Controller Cluster: Responsible for managing network traffic and routing in the NSX-T environment. This component includes at least three NSX-T controllers that control routing logic within the NSX-T infrastructure, collect traffic information, and send it to the NSX-T Manager.
- Transport Nodes: Transport nodes are hosts (e.g., ESXi or KVM) on which the NSX-T Agent is installed. They are responsible for executing NSX-T-related operations, including packet distribution, routing, and firewall rule application.
- NSX-T Edge Nodes: These are virtual nodes (or appliances) that provide network services to external networks and serve as gateways for accessing them. They provide capabilities such as NAT (Network Address Translation), VPN (Virtual Private Network), Firewalls, and load balancing.
- Logical Switches: Using logical switches, virtual networks can be created and the required microsegments defined. These networks and microsegments can be connected to network nodes via transport nodes.
- NSX-T Distributed Firewall (DFW): This distributed firewall is installed directly on transport nodes, enabling granular rules and access restrictions for traffic between microsegments and devices. Using this firewall, you can define policies and regulations for sending or receiving information packets.
How to implement a virtual network using VMware NSX-T?
To implement a virtual network using VMware NSX-T, the following steps can be followed:
- Network Design: First, you must design your virtual network, including determining microsegments, internal and external network traffic, firewall rules, and other requirements. At this stage, you must specify how nodes or virtual machines will communicate with external networks and whether you need external network nodes (Edge Nodes).
- Install NSX-T Manager. After designing the network, you must install and configure the NSX-T Manager. The NSX-T Manager is the management center for NSX-T and is used to transmit commands and configurations to other components. This component is responsible for managing and monitoring the virtual network. The NSX-T Manager is responsible for collecting network information, configuring and managing policies, and firewall rules. The NSX-T Manager also establishes communication between other NSX-T components.
How the NSX-T Manager communicates with other NSX-T components is an important topic you need to understand to manage the network with this technology properly. The NSX-T Manager interacts with other NSX-T components through communication channels and sub-components. The sub-components and communication channels that the NSX-T Manager uses to communicate with other components include the following:- NSX-T Controller Cluster: This sub-component receives traffic and routing information and forwards it to the NSX-T Manager for traffic management decisions. For this purpose, this component uses the OVSDB (Open vSwitch Database) protocol. The NSX-T Manager sends information about network policies and configuration changes to the NSX-T Controller Cluster, and the NSX-T Controller Cluster, in turn, sends information about traffic and network status to the NSX-T Manager.
- Transport Nodes: The NSX-T Manager component communicates with the transport nodes to distribute network packets and apply firewall rules and network policies on them. Communication with transport nodes is established by installing and configuring the NSX-T Agent on the nodes. The NSX-T Manager sends information about network topology, policies, and firewall rules to the transport node. In return, transport nodes send traffic and node status information to the NSX-T Manager.
- NSX-T Edge Nodes: NSX-T manages traffic between internal virtual networks and external networks by communicating with the edge nodes. Communication between the NSX-T Manager and edge nodes is handled via protocols such as BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) or OSPF (Open Shortest Path First). The NSX-T Manager sends information about routing, firewall rules, and network services to the NSX-T Edge Nodes. In return, the NSX-T Edge Nodes send traffic and network status information to the NSX-T Manager.
- Create Logical Switches and Microsegments Using the NSX-T Manager: You can define logical switches, which connect transport nodes and microsegments. Logical switches define the virtual networks that the NSX-T Manager manages. These networks connect transport nodes and microsegments. This way, microsegments can be logically placed within a virtual network.
It should be noted that microsegments are smaller components in the virtual network designed and created to meet security and performance needs. Microsegments can be logically separated from each other and have their own firewall rules and security policies. - In NSX-T, firewall rules are defined using the NSX-T Distributed Firewall. These rules can be used to control access between microsegments, filter traffic, and apply security policies.
- Install NSX-T Edge Nodes.. If access to external networks or the provision of network services to external networks is required, you must install and configure NSX-T Edge Nodes. These nodes act as gateways and provide capabilities such as NAT, VPN, firewalls, and load balancing.
After installing and configuring the components mentioned, your virtual network will be implemented using VMware NSX-T. Of course, each network environment may have specific needs, so it is better to refer to VMware NSX-Te documentation and resources during implementation to define a network tailored to your needs.
These components in VMware NSX-T work together to build secure, flexible, and manageable virtual networks.