Learn how to add or modify a virtual machine port group to set up traffic management on a set of virtual machines.

The Add Networking wizard in the vSphere Client guides you through the process to create a virtual network to which virtual machines can connect, including creating a vSphere Standard Switch and configuring settings for a network label.

When you set up virtual machine networks, consider whether you want to migrate the virtual machines in the network between hosts. If so, ensure that the same broadcast domain is accessible by both hosts—that is, the same Layer 2 subnet.

ESXi does not support virtual machine migration between hosts in different broadcast domains because the migrated virtual machine might require systems and resources that it would no longer have access to in the new network. Even if your network configuration is set up as a high-availability environment or includes intelligent switches that can resolve the virtual machine’s needs across different networks, you might experience lag times as the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table updates and resumes network traffic for the virtual machines.

Virtual machines reach physical networks through uplink adapters. A vSphere Standard Switch can transfer data to external networks only when one or more network adapters are attached to it. When two or more adapters are attached to a single standard switch, they are transparently teamed.

Add a Virtual Machine Port Group

Learn how to add VM port groups on a vSphere Standard Switch to provide connectivity and common network configuration for virtual machines.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. Right-click the host and select Add Networking.
  3. In Select connection type, select Virtual Machine Port Group for a Standard Switch and click Next.
  4. In Select target device, select an existing standard switch or create a new standard switch.
  5. If the new port group is for an existing standard switch, navigate to the switch.
    1. Click Browse.
    2. Select a standard switch from the list and click OK.
    3. Click Next and go to Step 7.
  6. (Optional) If you choose to create a new standard switch, enter a value for the MTU size and click Next.

    You can create a standard switch with or without adapters.

    If you create a standard switch without physical network adapters, all traffic on that switch is confined to that switch. No other hosts on the physical network or virtual machines on other standard switches can send or receive traffic over this standard switch. You might create a standard switch without physical network adapters if you want a group of virtual machines to be able to communicate with each other, but not with other hosts or with virtual machines outside the group.

    1. Click Add adapters.
    2. Select an adapter from the Network Adapters list and click OK.
    3. (Optional) Use the up and down arrows in the Assigned adapters list to change the position of the adapter if needed.
    4. Click Next.
  7. On the Connection settings page, identify traffic through the ports of the group.
    1. Type a Network label for the port group, or accept the generated label.
      Note: Port group names must not contain a colon character (:).
    2. Set the VLAN ID to configure VLAN handling in the port group.
      The VLAN ID also reflects the VLAN tagging mode in the port group.
      VLAN Tagging Mode VLAN ID Description
      External Switch Tagging (EST) 0 The virtual switch does not pass traffic associated with a VLAN.
      Virtual Guest Tagging (VGT) 4095 Virtual machines handle VLANs. The virtual switch passes traffic from any VLAN.
    3. Click Next.
  8. Review the port group settings in the Ready to complete page, and click Finish.
    Click Back if you want to change any settings.

Edit a Standard Switch Port Group

Learn how to edit the name and VLAN ID of a standard switch port group, and override networking policies at the port group level.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select a standard switch from the list.
    The topology diagram of the switch appears.
  4. In the topology diagram of the switch, click the name of the port group.
  5. Next to the the topology diagram title, click the horizontal elipsis icon and select Edit settings.
  6. On the Properties page, rename the port group in the Network label text field.
  7. Configure VLAN tagging in the VLAN ID drop-down menu.
    VLAN Tagging Mode VLAN ID Description
    External Switch Tagging (EST) 0 The virtual switch does not pass traffic associated with a VLAN.
    Virtual Guest Tagging (VGT) 4095 Virtual machines handle VLANs. The virtual switch passes traffic from any VLAN.
  8. On the Security page, override the switch settings for protection against MAC address changes, forged transmits and for running virtual machines in promiscuous mode.
  9. On the Traffic shaping page, override at the port group level the size of average and peak bandwidth and of bursts.
  10. On the Teaming and failover page, override the teaming and failover settings inherited from the standard switch.
    You can configure traffic distribution and rerouting between the physical adapters associated with the port group. You can also change the order in which host physical adapters are used upon failure.
  11. Click OK.

Remove a Port Group from a vSphere Standard Switch

Learn how to remove port groups from vSphere Standard Switches in case you no longer need the associated labeled networks.

Prerequisites

Verify that there are no powered-on virtual machines connected to the port group that you want to remove.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select the standard switch.
  4. From the topology diagram of the switch, select the port group that you want to remove by clicking its label.
  5. From the toolbar in the switch topology, click the Remove action icon .