Learn how to change the configuration of the proxy switch on every host that is associated with a vSphere distributed switch. You can manage physical NICs, VMkernel adapters, and virtual machine network adapters.

For details about setting up VMkernel networking on host proxy switches, see Create a VMkernel Adapter on a vSphere Distributed Switch.

Migrate Network Adapters on a Host to a vSphere Distributed Switch

Learn how to migrate network adapters from a standard switch to the distributed switch for hosts associated with a distributed switch. You can migrate physical NICs, VMkernel adapters, and virtual machine network adapters at the same time.

To migrate virtual machine network adapters or VMkernel adapters, make sure that the destination distributed port groups have at least one active uplink, and the uplink is connected to a physical NIC on this host. Alternatively, migrate physical NICs, virtual network adapters, and VMkernel adapters at once.

To migrate physical NICs, make sure that the source port groups on the standard switch have at least one physical NIC to handle their traffic. For example, if you migrate a physical NIC that is assigned to a port group for virtual machine networking, make sure that the port group is connected to at least one physical NIC. Otherwise the virtual machines on same VLAN on the standard switch will have connectivity between each other but not to the external network.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select the destination distributed switch and click the horizontal ellipsis icon next to Manage physical adapters.
  4. Select Migrate Networking..
  5. Configure physical NICs.
    1. From the On other switches/unclaimed list, select a physical NIC and click Assign uplink.
    2. Select an uplink and click OK.
    3. Click Next.
  6. Configure VMkernel adapters.
    1. Select an adapter and click Assign port group.
    2. Select a distributed port group and click OK.
      You should connect one VMkernel adapter to one distributed port group at a time.
    3. Click Next.
  7. Configure virtual machine network adapters.
    1. Select the check box Migrate virtual machine networking.
    2. Select a virtual machine or a virtual machine network adapter and click Assign port group.
      If you select a virtual machine, you migrate all network adapters on the virtual machine. If you select a network adapter, you migrate only this network adapter.
    3. Select a distributed port group from the list and click OK.
    4. Click Next.
  8. On the Ready to complete page, review the new networking configuration and click Finish.

Migrate a VMkernel Adapter on a Host to a vSphere Standard Switch

Learn how to migrate VMkernel adapters from the distributed to a standard switch if a host is associated with a distributed switch.

For details about creating VMkernel adapters on a vSphere distributed switch, see Create a VMkernel Adapter on a vSphere Distributed Switch.

Prerequisites

Verify that the destination standard switch has at least one physical NIC.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select the destination standard switch from the list.
  4. Click Migrate VMkernel Adapter.
  5. On the Select VMkernel adapter page, select the virtual network adapter to migrate to the standard switch from the list.
  6. On the Configure settings page, edit the Network label and VLAN ID for the network adapter.
  7. On the Ready to complete page, review the migration details and click Finish.
    Click Back to edit settings.

Assign a Physical NIC of a Host to a vSphere Distributed Switch

Learn how to assign physical NICs of a host that is associated with a distributed switch to uplink port on the host proxy switch.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select a distributed switch from the list.
  4. Click Manage Physical Adapters.
  5. Select a free uplink from the list and click Add adapters.
  6. Select a physical NIC and click OK.

Remove a Physical NIC from a vSphere Distributed Switch

Learn how to remove a physical NIC of a host from an uplink on a vSphere distributed switch.

Procedure

  1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the host.
  2. On the Configure tab, expand Networking and select Virtual Switches.
  3. Select the distributed switch.
  4. Click Manage Physical Adapters.
  5. Select an uplink an click Remove selected.
  6. Click OK.

What to do next

When you remove physical NICs from active virtual machines, you might see the NICs you removed reported in the . See Removing NICs from Active Virtual Machines.

Removing NICs from Active Virtual Machines

Learn how to remove NICs from active virtual machines, and see the NICs you have removed in the vSphere Client.

Removing NICs from an Active Virtual Machine without a Guest Operating System Installed

You cannot remove NICs from an active virtual machine on which no operating system is installed.

The vSphere Client might report that the NIC has been removed, but you continue to see it attached to the virtual machine.

Removing NICs from an Active Virtual Machine with a Guest Operating System Installed

You can remove a NIC from an active virtual machine, but it might not be reported to the vSphere Client for some time. If you click Edit Settings for the virtual machine, you might see the removed NIC listed even after the task is complete. The Edit Settings dialog box for the virtual machine does not immediately display the removed NIC.

You might also see the NIC attached to the virtual machine if the guest operating system of the virtual machine does not support hot removal of NICs.