If you’re managing a VMware vSphere environment, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use a vSphere Standard Switch (vSS) or a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS). In this blog post, we’ll compare these two options to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
What is a vSphere Standard Switch?
A vSphere Standard Switch is a virtual switch that is created on a single host in your vSphere environment. It provides connectivity between virtual machines and physical network adapters. You can configure the vSS with standard networking features, such as VLAN tagging and NIC teaming, and it’s easy to manage and monitor.
What is a vSphere Distributed Switch?
A vSphere Distributed Switch is a virtual switch that spans multiple hosts in your vSphere environment. It provides centralized management of network configuration, and you can apply consistent network policies across all hosts in the switch. With vDS, you can also monitor network traffic and apply network-based security policies.
Comparison between vSphere Standard Switch and vSphere Distributed Switch
Management and configuration:
The vSphere Standard Switch is managed on a per-host basis, which means that each host must be configured individually. This can be time-consuming, especially in large environments. On the other hand, the vSphere Distributed Switch is managed from a centralized location, which makes it easier to configure and manage across multiple hosts. This also enables consistent network configuration and policies across all hosts in the switch.
Flexibility:
The vSphere Standard Switch is limited to a single host, which means that if you need to add more capacity or connectivity, you’ll need to create additional switches on other hosts. This can become unwieldy as your environment grows. With the vSphere Distributed Switch, you can add hosts to the switch as needed, providing more flexibility as your environment expands.
Features:
The vSphere Distributed Switch offers advanced features that aren’t available with the vSphere Standard Switch. For example, you can monitor network traffic with the vDS and apply network-based security policies. Additionally, you can use Network I/O Control to prioritize network traffic based on virtual machine or application needs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the vSphere Standard Switch is a good option for small environments or those with limited networking needs. However, for larger environments or those with more complex networking requirements, the vSphere Distributed Switch offers centralized management, greater flexibility, and advanced features. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific environment and requirements.