Knowledge Base

Create a vNetwork Distributed Virtual Switch:

1. In vCenter, click Home > Inventory > Networking.
   
   Note: If you are in other locations, the New vDS option is disabled
   
   
2. Choose New vNetwork Distributed Switch General Properties and specify the:
   
   
   • Name of the Distributed Switch
   • Number of Uplink Ports. Uplinks can be renamed/added afterwards.
     
     
3. Click Next.
   
   
4. In the Create vNetwork Distributed Switch GUI, under Add hosts and physical adapters:
   
   
   1. Click Add now or Add later.
   2. Choose the ESX/ESXi host
   3. Select physical adapter to select adapter per ESX/ESXi
      
      Note: Click on view details, to see general adapter information and CDP Device and port ID
      
      
5. Click Next and Finish.
   
   Note: This automatically creates the default dvPortGroup, which can be deselected.
   
   At this point, the newly created dvSwitch is displayed under the DataCenter on the left panel.
   
   

Modify vNetwork Distributed Virtual Switch (dvSwitch):

Note: Uplinks are associated automatically at Distributed Switch creation time. If changes need to be applied, they have to be applied from the host.

1. Go to Host > Configuration > Networking.
2. Right-click on the desired dvSwitch and click Edit Settings.
3. Click General and specify these:
   
   
   • dvSwitch name (VMware recommends not changing this after full deployment)
   • Number of dvUplink ports
   • Important administrator notes
     
     
4. Click Advanced and specify these:
   
   
   • Max value for Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
     
     Useful for enabling Jumbo Frames. Supported value is up to 9000.
     
     
   • Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) Operation.
     
     Select from the drop down menu the following options:
     • Listen,
     • Advertise
     • Both
       

Note: For additional Network adapters to appear in Network Adapters panel,  click Host > Configuration > Networking and choose vDS view. Click Manage Physical Adapters.