Chapter 20. Vmready - Lenovo RackSwitch G8264 Application Manual

Chapter 20. VMready

© Copyright Lenovo 2016
Virtualization is used to allocate server resources based on logical needs, rather
than on strict physical structure. With appropriate hardware and software support,
servers can be virtualized to host multiple instances of operating systems, known
as virtual machines (VMs). Each VM has its own presence on the network and runs
its own service applications.
Software known as a hypervisor manages the various virtual entities (VEs) that
reside on the host server: VMs, virtual switches, and so on. Depending on the
virtualization solution, a virtualization management server may be used to
configure and manage multiple hypervisors across the network. With some
solutions, VMs can even migrate between host hypervisors, moving to different
physical hosts while maintaining their virtual identity and services.
The Lenovo Enterprise Network Operating System 8.4 VMready feature supports
up to 4096 VEs in a virtualized data center environment. The switch automatically
discovers the VEs attached to switch ports, and distinguishes between regular
VMs, Service Console Interfaces, and Kernel/Management Interfaces in a
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VMware environment.
VEs may be placed into VM groups on the switch to define communication
boundaries: VEs in the same VM group may communicate with each other, while
VEs in different groups may not. VM groups also allow for configuring group‐level
settings such as virtualization policies and ACLs.
The administrator can also pre‐provision VEs by adding their MAC addresses (or
their IPv4 address or VM name in a VMware environment) to a VM group. When a
VE with a pre‐provisioned MAC address becomes connected to the switch, the
switch will automatically apply the appropriate group membership configuration.
The G8264 with VMready also detects the migration of VEs across different
hypervisors. As VEs move, the G8264 NMotion
appropriate network configuration as well. NMotion gives the switch the ability to
maintain assigned group membership and associated policies, even when a VE
moves to a different port on the switch.
VMready also works with VMware Virtual Center (vCenter) management
software. Connecting with a vCenter allows the G8264 to collect information about
more distant VEs, synchronize switch and VE configuration, and extend migration
properties.
Note: VM groups and policies, VE pre‐provisioning, and VE migration features
are not supported simultaneously on the same ports as vNICs (see Chapter 19,
"Virtual NICs").
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feature automatically moves the
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