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Today we’re diving into something that every modern network engineer must understand — Virtual Switches. Whether you’re configuring labs in EVE-NG, building enterprise data centers, or managing virtual machines in VMware or Hyper-V, virtual switches (vSwitch and DVS) are everywhere.
I remember the first time I logged into a vSphere client and saw the “vSwitch0” label. I had no idea what it did or why it was there. But as I progressed, I realized how crucial virtual switching is in any virtualization or cloud platform. In this post, I’m breaking it down for you in plain terms — with labs, CLI examples, and real-world applications.
Let’s get virtual!
Table of Contents
Theory in Brief: Understanding Virtual Switches
What Is a Virtual Switch?
A virtual switch (vSwitch) is a software-based switch built into a hypervisor like VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, or KVM, which allows virtual machines (VMs) on the same or different hosts to communicate with each other and with the physical network.
Just like a physical switch forwards traffic between devices, a vSwitch forwards packets between VMs and virtual NICs (vNICs) inside a host system.
vSwitch vs DVS: Key Differences
- vSwitch (Standard Switch): Locally managed on each ESXi host. Simple and suitable for small environments.
- DVS (Distributed Virtual Switch): Centralized across multiple hosts. Managed from vCenter and used in enterprise setups for consistency and advanced features.
How Do Virtual Switches Work?
vSwitches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model. Each VM connects to a port group on a virtual switch. The vSwitch learns MAC addresses and forwards traffic between VMs or routes packets to the uplink (physical NIC) if the destination is outside.
They support VLAN tagging, port mirroring, security policies, and even teaming/bonding of uplinks for redundancy.
Why Use Virtual Switches?
- They eliminate the need for external cabling between VMs on the same host.
- They’re flexible, scalable, and integrated into virtualized environments.
- Essential for multi-tenant networks, virtual labs, and cloud data centers.
vSwitch vs DVS
| Feature | vSwitch (Standard) | DVS (Distributed) |
|---|---|---|
| Management Scope | Per Host | Across Multiple Hosts via vCenter |
| Centralized Management | No | Yes |
| Port Configuration | Local to Host | Central template-based |
| VLAN Support | Yes | Yes |
| Network Policies | Limited | Advanced (NetFlow, Port Mirroring, etc.) |
| Scalability | Limited | Enterprise-grade |
| CLI Support | Yes (via ESXi Shell) | Yes (via vCenter, PowerCLI) |
Pros and Cons of Virtual Switches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces need for physical network infrastructure | Complexity increases with scale (DVS) |
| Easy to deploy and manage in labs | Standard vSwitch lacks central management |
| Supports VLANs, security, teaming | DVS requires vCenter and enterprise licensing |
| VM-to-VM communication without physical NICs | Troubleshooting virtual traffic can be tricky |
| Perfect for simulation and testing | Learning curve for CLI and policies in large envs |
Essential CLI Commands for vSwitch (ESXi Shell or PowerCLI)
| Task | CLI Command (ESXi Shell / PowerCLI) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| List all vSwitches | esxcli network vswitch standard list | Shows available standard switches |
| View vSwitch configuration | esxcli network vswitch standard policy security get | Check MAC spoofing, promiscuous mode, etc. |
| Show port group details | esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup list | VLAN IDs, PortGroup names |
| Add new port group | esxcli network vswitch standard portgroup add -p "Lab-VLAN10" -v vSwitch0 | Adds new VLAN-based portgroup |
| View uplinks | esxcli network nic list | Lists physical NICs |
| Check MAC table | net-stats -l | Lists internal MAC address mappings (hidden cmd) |
| Monitor traffic stats | esxtop | Real-time traffic and interface usage |
| Connect VM to port group (via vSphere) | GUI / PowerCLI | Not CLI-based on ESXi |
Real-World Use Cases of Virtual Switches
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Lab Simulations (EVE-NG, VMware) | Create isolated virtual networks for testing and training |
| Private Cloud Environments | Connect VMs securely with VLANs and security policies |
| Multi-Tenant Hosting | Separate tenants on same physical infrastructure using vSwitch/DVS |
| Virtual Firewall Deployment | Insert vFW (e.g., Palo Alto VM) between VMs and external network |
| East-West Traffic Control | Monitor and filter traffic between VMs within the same host |
EVE-NG Lab Setup: Virtual Switch Simulation
Lab Topology
Objective
- Simulate VM-to-VM communication using a vSwitch.
- Insert virtual firewall between VMs.
- Test VLAN tagging and isolation.
Step-by-Step EVE-NG Configuration
1. Deploy Two VMs (e.g., Ubuntu, Windows)
- Connect them to a custom network segment (virtual switch)
- Assign IPs:
- VM1: 192.168.10.2/24
- VM2: 192.168.10.3/24
2. Deploy a vFW (like PfSense or Palo Alto VM)
- Add two interfaces: LAN (192.168.10.1), WAN (NAT/cloud)
- Enable DHCP or static IP on LAN
- Connect VM1 and VM2 via LAN interface
3. Test Connectivity
# On VM1
ping 192.168.10.3
traceroute 192.168.10.3
4. Enable Firewall Rules
- Allow LAN-to-LAN traffic in the firewall
- Test ping, file transfer, and port scanning
You’ve now created a basic vSwitch lab simulating real-world virtual networking.
Troubleshooting Tips for Virtual Switches
| Issue | Likely Cause | Recommended Fix |
|---|---|---|
| VMs can’t communicate | Wrong port group or VLAN mismatch | Check both VM NIC settings and vSwitch config |
| Ping fails between VMs | Promiscuous mode disabled | Enable promiscuous mode for sniffing |
| Packet loss or drops | Resource exhaustion | Monitor via esxtop or vSphere metrics |
| vSwitch not showing in list | vSwitch not created or corrupted | Use esxcli network vswitch standard list |
| VM traffic not reaching gateway | Firewall/NAT or routing misconfigured | Review vFW rules and routes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is a virtual switch?
Answer:
A virtual switch (vSwitch) is a software-based switch embedded within a hypervisor like VMware ESXi. It facilitates communication between virtual machines (VMs) on the same host and connects them to the physical network via physical NICs. It performs typical Layer 2 switching functions such as MAC address learning, traffic forwarding, VLAN tagging, and security policy enforcement inside a virtualized environment.
2. What is the difference between vSwitch and DVS?
Answer:
A vSwitch is managed locally on each ESXi host and operates independently. In contrast, a Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS) is managed centrally via vCenter and spans multiple ESXi hosts. DVS allows for consistent policy management, easier administration, and support for advanced features like NetFlow, port mirroring, and network I/O control across the entire virtualization cluster.
3. Do vSwitches support VLANs?
Answer:
Yes, both vSwitch and DVS support VLANs through VLAN tagging on port groups. You can assign VLAN IDs to separate traffic logically for different VM networks, and trunking allows multiple VLANs to be carried over the same physical uplink using 802.1Q tagging.
4. Can I monitor traffic on a virtual switch?
Answer:
Yes, traffic monitoring is possible. On standard vSwitches, tools like esxtop and third-party packet sniffers can be used. On a DVS, advanced features such as NetFlow, port mirroring, and traffic shaping are available to monitor, analyze, and troubleshoot network traffic in real time.
5. What happens if I delete a vSwitch?
Answer:
Deleting a vSwitch disconnects all virtual machines and services using that switch, resulting in network outages. VM traffic, management, vMotion, and other services relying on that vSwitch will be affected. Always migrate or reconfigure connections before deletion and back up the configuration.
6. Do virtual switches replace physical switches?
Answer:
No, virtual switches work alongside physical switches. While vSwitches handle intra-host VM traffic and some policy enforcement, physical switches are still necessary for communication beyond the host, such as internet access, storage networks, or traffic between different ESXi hosts.
7. How many VMs can connect to one vSwitch?
Answer:
A vSwitch can support dozens to hundreds of virtual machines, depending on host hardware resources and configuration. VMware allows you to define the number of virtual ports, and a single vSwitch can handle many connections if the system has enough CPU, memory, and NIC bandwidth.
8. What is a port group in vSwitch?
Answer:
A port group is a logical construct used to define network settings like VLAN IDs, security policies, and traffic shaping rules. VMs connect to port groups rather than directly to the vSwitch, ensuring consistent application of network policies across multiple virtual NICs.
9. Can I run a virtual switch in EVE-NG?
Answer:
While EVE-NG doesn’t simulate an actual vSwitch, it provides virtual bridges and cloud interfaces that mimic basic Layer 2 functionality. These can be used to interconnect virtual machines and simulate network behavior similar to what a vSwitch offers within a hypervisor.
10. Is DVS required in every setup?
Answer:
No, DVS is optional and more suitable for larger environments managed via vCenter. For smaller setups, labs, or single-host configurations, a standard vSwitch is simpler and sufficient. DVS becomes essential when centralized management, scalability, and advanced networking features are needed.
YouTube Video
Watch the Complete CCNP Enterprise: Still Using Standard vSwitches? Here’s Why DVS Is a Must in 2025 Lab Demo & Explanation on our channel:
Final Note
Understanding how to differentiate and implement Still Using Standard vSwitches? Here’s Why DVS Is a Must in 2025 in Modern Networks is critical for anyone pursuing CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR) certification or working in enterprise network roles. Use this guide in your practice labs, real-world projects, and interviews to show a solid grasp of architectural planning and CLI-level configuration skills.
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