As an alternative to using the NSX-T Fabric > Nodes > Hosts > Add UI or the POST /api/v1/fabric/nodes API, you can install NSX-T kernel modules manually from the hypervisor command line. Manually Install NSX-T Kernel Modules on ESXi HypervisorsTo prepare hosts to participate in NSX-T, you must install NSX-T kernel modules on ESXi hosts. This allows you to build the NSX-T control-plane and management-plane fabric. NSX-T kernel modules packaged in VIB files run within the hypervisor kernel and provide services such as distributed routing, distributed firewall, and bridging capabilities. Manually Install NSX-T Kernel Modules on Ubuntu KVM HypervisorsTo prepare hosts to participate in NSX-T, you can manually install NSX-T kernel modules on Ubuntu KVM hosts. This allows you to build the NSX-T control-plane and management-plane fabric. NSX-T kernel modules packaged in DEB files run within the hypervisor kernel and provide services such as distributed routing, distributed firewall, and bridging capabilities. Verify Open vSwitch VersionYou must have the supported Open vSwitch version before you manually install the NSX-T kernel modules on RHEL KVM hosts to avoid any errors. Manually Install NSX-T Kernel Modules on RHEL KVM HypervisorsTo prepare hosts to participate in NSX-T, you can manually install NSX-T kernel modules on RHEL KVM hosts. This allows you to build the NSX-T control-plane and management-plane fabric. NSX-T kernel modules packaged in RPM files run within the hypervisor kernel and provide services such as distributed routing, distributed firewall, and bridging capabilities. Parent topic: Host Preparation