Iwan Hoogendoorn - Getting Started with NSX‑T: Logical Routing and Switching: The Basic Principles of Building Software-Defined Network Architectures with VMware NSX-T

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Chapter provides a primer on how virtualization is used to create an SDDC. One of the central pillars of an SDDC is the use of software defined networking (SDN). To better understand NSX-T (VMwares SDN solution), it is best to first understand the components involved.

Chapter explains the NSX-T components and services that form the full network virtualization (NV) stack. It dives into the main use cases of NSX-T. By the end of this chapter, you will understand how the NSX-T components interact regarding the control, management, and data planes.

Chapter explains the installation steps of the NSX-T Manager on a vSphere infrastructure. When the NSX-T Manager cluster is fully installed in a clustered form, you will also learn how to replace the self-signed certificates, navigate the GUI, and perform some basic CLI commands.

Chapter explains some new terms that are used when we configure the data plane components. To prepare ESXi hosts to become NSX-T host transport nodes or create edge transport nodes in the form of virtual machines of bare metal servers, we first need to configure IP pools, uplink profiles, and transport zones. I explain what these components are and how they relate to each other. I also explain the differences between a VDS and N-VDS.

Chapter teaches you about the logical switching use cases and how logical switching is performed using NSX-T Segments. It is possible that layer 2 can be stretched using TEP, MAC, and ARP tables. This chapter also teaches you how GENEVE encapsulation works and how the segments are configured on the data plane using the NSX-T GUI. This chapter ends by teaching you about different segment profiles that can be applied to a segment or a segment port to configure more granular settings related to a specific segment or segment port. This chapter also explains how BUM traffic is handled using two different replication methods.

Chapter is dedicated to the NSX-T edge transport nodes and NSX-T edge clusters.

Chapter helps you understand the architecture, routing features, and components needed to design and implement a layer 3 network using NSX-T.

Chapter explains VRFs use cases, benefits, and limitations, as well as the configuration and validation of VRF Lite. You will also learn about EVPN architecture and understand the use cases and benefits related to EVPN.

Chapter explains the multicast technology and covers the benefits and use cases of it at a general level. You will also learn about the multicast capabilities that NSX-T offers and how to configure it.

Chapter describes the use cases and operation of logical bridging. It explains the differences between routing and bridging. It also explains how to configure logical bridging by creating a bridge profile and a bridge-backed segment to bridge a virtual NSX-T segment with a physical network.

Thank you, VMware, for allowing me to write this book.

Thank you, VMware #vExpert community, for the amount of knowledge you share.

Thank you, Babak and Jerry, for working together with me on this book and making it happen.

Thank you, Apress, for allowing me to write this book and publishing it on my behalf.