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Creating Virtual Switch

This section describes how to create a Virtual Switch in eEVOS using the Select Uplink Ports for Virtual Switch page.

A Virtual Switch provides a higher-level and cluster-aware networking model for virtual machines. When required, the same Virtual Switch can be created across multiple nodes so that virtual machines can use consistent switch names throughout the cluster.

Before you begin

Before selecting uplink ports, ensure that the physical ports you want to use meet the following requirements:

  • The port must not have an IP address configured.
  • The port must not already be part of another virtual network or virtual switch.
  • The selected ports should provide the intended external network connectivity.

Open the Virtual Switch creation page

Start the Virtual Switch creation workflow in the eEVOS interface. The Select Uplink Ports for Virtual Switch page is used to define the switch options and assign uplink ports for each selected node.

SDN_Create_Virtual_Switch_en.png

Configure Virtual Switch options

Switch Name

Enter the name of the Virtual Switch in the Switch Name field.

The Virtual Switch name entered here is created consistently across the selected cluster nodes.

Enable RSTP loop protection

Enable this option to provide loop protection for the Virtual Switch. This is recommended for normal operation.

Enable this option only if you intentionally want to assign more than one uplink port on the same node to this Virtual Switch. When enabled, the selected ports are used as a bonded uplink connection.

For a standard design with one uplink per node, leave this option disabled.

The lower section of the page lists the available ports for each selected node. Each node is shown separately, for example EEVOS-1, EEVOS-2, and EEVOS-3.

For each listed port, the following information is displayed:

  • Port
  • MAC Address
  • Connection State
  • Model

Selecting a port

Tick the checkbox next to the port that should be used as the uplink for the Virtual Switch on that node.

In a standard configuration, select one suitable connected port per node.

If more than one uplink port is selected on the same host for a Virtual Switch, eEVOS can automatically combine these ports into a bonded uplink for that Virtual Switch.

To use this behaviour, enable Use bonded uplinks when multiple ports are selected on one node and then select the required ports for that host.

This bonding is applied at the Virtual Switch level. It is specific to the selected Virtual Switch and should not be confused with standard network bonding configured in Network Management.

  • Keep loop protection enabled.
  • Use one uplink per node unless a bonded uplink design is explicitly required.
  • Select only ports that are free and intended for Virtual Switch connectivity.

Result

After completing the wizard, the Virtual Switch is created with the selected options and assigned uplink ports. Where the same switch is created on multiple nodes, virtual machines can use a consistent switch name across the environment.

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