Create a distributed vSwitch

A distributed virtual switch acts as a central interface from which you can configure and manage switching for the entire data center. You can create a distributed switch by using the VCenter Server. This section describes the steps to create a distributed switch.

1. Log on to the vCenter Server.

   

2. In the left hand navigation pane, click the Host and Cluster tab.

   

   This displays the list of available datacenters.
3. In the required datacenter, select Datacenter → Distributed Switch → New Distributed Switch.

   

   This opens the New Distributed Switch window.
4. In the Name field, enter a name for the distributed switch.

   

5. Click Next.
6. In the Select version section, select the version of the distributed switch.

   

   Note

   The selected version should be same as that of ESXi version.

7. Click Next.
8. In the Edit Settings section, configure the following details:
   1. Select the Number of uplinks.
   2. Enable or Disable the Network I/O Control.
   3. Select Create a default port group if you want to create a default port group.
   4. Enter a custom name for the port group in the Port group name text box. (Optional)

   

9. Click Next.
10. In the Ready to complete window, click Finish.

    

    On the Networking tab, the newly created dswitch is visible.
11. Add ESXi hosts to the newly created dswitch. To add hosts to the dswitch, perform the following steps:
    1. on the Networking tab, right-click the newly created dswitch.
    2. Click Add and Manage Hosts.
       
       The Add and Manage Hosts window appears.
    3. In the Select task section, select Add hosts.

       

    4. Click Next.
       The Select hosts window appears.
    5. Click New hosts to add hosts.

       

       This displays the Select new hosts window.
    6. Select the required hosts.

       

    7. Click OK.
    8. In the Select network adapter tasks section, check Migrate virtual machine networking.

       

    9. Click Next.
    10. In the Migrate VM networking section, select the required virtual machines.

        

    11. Click Next.
    12. In the Ready to complete window, click Finish.