NAKIVO > Blog > VMware
Configuring ESXi VM Networks
Updated: June 1, 2023
By: NAKIVO Team
In the previous posts, we took a look at setting up VMkernel networks, including
storage and vMotion. Now, we discuss configuring ESXi networks for the VMs
themselves. VM networks provide connectivity of the VMs to the production network.
Let’s walk through how these are configured.
NAKIVO for VMware vSphere Backup
Complete data protection for VMware vSphere VMs and instant recovery options.
Secure backup targets onsite, offsite and in the cloud. Anti-ransomware features.
DISCOVER SOLUTION
VM Networks Configuration
You can easily set up VM Networks on your first vSwitch by adding additional port
groups. Alternatively, if you have additional network adapters available, you can create
a new vSwitch for VM traffic. What are the use cases for each of these methods?
Simply adding port groups with additional VLAN tags lets you use the same number of
physical network adapters in your server. This way, you don’t need a physical network
cable connected for every single different network you want ESXi to interact with.
However, you may want to make sure certain types of traffic are physically separate
from other types of traffic. For example, you may want to use a separate vSwitch
along with separate network cards for carrying DMZ traffic in a certain host. This is not
required in a technical sense, but may be preferable in certain compliance situations.
To add a new Virtual Machine network, you can either create a new vSwitch and then
add a port group, or simply add a new port group.
1. Click on the Add Networking link in the upper right hand corner.
2. Select Virtual Machine as the Connection Type for the new Port Group.
3. Here, input the VLAN ID for the VLAN you want your Virtual Machine network to
communicate with.
4. Click Next through the prompts, then click Finish to create the new port group.
5. Here, you can see the newly created “WorkstationVLAN” port group in the vSwitch
properties.
Thoughts
Configuring the networking on an ESXi host is critical for making things work
smoothly, whether for a standalone host or an ESXi host that is a part of a cluster in
vCenter. We have now discussed how to create three different types of networks that
are common in most environments – storage, vMotion, and Virtual Machine networks.
Each of these different types of networks serves a purpose in our VMware
environment, allowing traffic to flow for the various features and components of
VMware ESXi.
With the networks configured, in the next post we discuss joining the host(s) to
vCenter, as well as building a Datacenter and Cluster. The post also touches on the
various options that go along with a vSphere cluster, such as High Availability (HA) and
Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS).
1 Year of Free Data Protection: NAKIVO Backup &
Replication
Deploy in 2 minutes and protect virtual, cloud, physical and SaaS data. Backup,
replication, instant recovery options.
GET THE FREE EDITION
People also read
How to Create an Effective Network Disaster
Recovery Plan
How to Back Up OneDrive for Business: 3 Methods
NFS vs iSCSI for Accessing VM Data
LOAD COMMENTS
Table of Contents:
VM Networks Configuration
Thoughts
Subscribe to Our Blog
Enter email address
SUBSCRIBE
Request a live demo by one
of our engineers
REQUEST DEMO
Download a full-featured
free trial
DOWNLOAD
See the full list of features,
editions and prices
SEE PRICING
Sales
Email: [email protected]
Fax: +1 408 516 9464
Americas: +1 408 335 7367 (worldwide)
EMEA: +44 20 7097 1535
Taiwan: +886 2 7735 4556
Support
Email: [email protected]
Americas: +1 702 605 4495
Europe: +44 207 193 1230
Asia: +852 8124 5782
Get special offers and updates:
Enter your Email SUBSCRIBE
NAKIVO on social media:
© 2023 NAKIVO, Inc. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy | EULA
