VMware NSX, Software Defined Networking (SDN)

VMware Certified Associate in Network Virtualization

Background

Just started my exciting Journey to Software Defined Networking (SDN) by taking an E-learning Course on Vmware Certified Associate in Network Virtualization (VCA-NV). This is the entry Level VMware course for Mastering VMware NSX product which focuses on Network Function Virtualization (NFV).

Some background on how VMware got into the NFV space was the buy out of Nicira. VMware paid $1.26 billion to buy a tiny startup called Nicira in 2012. Nicira was a company focused on Software Defined Networking and Network Virtualization. Important to note is that Cisco who are the leaders in the $50 Billion a year network market bidded for Nicira. Their bid was about $800 million which was short of what VMware bid.

Focus of the E-learning Course

The focus of the VCA-NV e-learning course is to provide an overview of the NSX product. NSX network virtualization is a transformative architecture from VMware that enables the full potential of a Software-Defined Data Center, making it possible to create and run entire networks in parallel on top of existing network hardware. NSX lets you treat your physical network as a pool of transport capacity, with network and security services attached to VMs with a policy-driven approach. This results in faster deployment of workloads, as well as greater agility in the face of increasingly dynamic data centers. There are three modules in the course and below is a summary;

1. Module 1: Define Datacenter Networking, Compare Physical and Virtual Networking and the Challenges encountered without NFV
2. Module 2: Describe the VMware NSX Virtualization Platform and how it benefits the Data Center,
3. Module 3: Identify Use Cases for NSX, Introduction to NSX components and their functions

It important to have some basic training, knowledge or certification in Vmware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) before diving into Network Virtualization. This is because the basic building block of network virtualization is based on the vSphere product and on prior knowledge of the VMware Standard and Distributed Switch. I took my VCP-DCV exam and I would say it is a great resource in advancing to Network Virtualization.

Challenges without Network Virtualization

1. Automation - Integrate with vRealize Automation and open REST API
2. Elasticity - Create Logical Networks that can span the entire Data Center
3. Security - Allows complete Isolation of network segments, granular fire-walling and integration with Third Party endpoint services
4. Management - Centralized Management of Routing, Switching and Firewall service. Allows integration for a large eco-system of partners

What are the Differentiators of NSX?

1. Logical Switching - Layer 2 over Layer 3 decoupled from the physical network
2. Logical Routing - Routing between virtual networks without exiting the software container
3. Logical Firewall - distributed firewall, kernel integrated, high performance
4. Logical Load Balancer - Application load balancing
5. Logical VPN - site to site and remote access VPN
6. VMWare NSX API - REST API for integration into any Cloud Management Platform
7. Partner Eco System

NSX Components

1. Consumption Model - Self Service Portal, Management, vRealize Automation
2. Management Plane - NSX Manager, vCenter, Message Bus Agent
3. Control Plane - NSX Logical Router Control machine, NSX Controller, User World Agent
4. Data Plane - Vmware Distributed Switch, VXLAN, Distributed Logical Router, Firewall, NSX Edge Services Gateway

NSX Partner Integration

I am planning to take the Exam in coming days and I will update on how that goes. NSX is a game changing product in the ever changing landscape of Information Technology. VMware are staying ahead of the curve once more in innovation for the Software Defined Data Center (SDDC). Other vendors are also following fast in the new era of Software Defined "Everything".

Read More from VMware at https://www.vmware.com/products/nsx

Also posted on https://victorbotto.blogspot.com/