Multi-Site VMM VMware Integration

[joshuai978]

Hello Community!

I am looking for guidance regarding a Cisco ACI multi-site design and VMM integration. There is one vcenter which manages hosts in both sites but, it also has DRS clusters configured across the two sites (DRS_A contains hosts from both site1 and site2.) I understand that VMM integration is local to the ACI fabric and it's controllers. As I understand it, I will need to deploy two VDS (VDS_Site1 and VDS_Site2). I will then assign the respective VDS to the esxi hosts local to that ACI fabric. This has me wondering how it will interact with the DRS cluster that contains esxi hosts from site 1 and site2.

After some research, I also found the below design but, there are no details surrounding it.

Has anyone ever deployed such a configuration or design and if so, can you please share the details on how best to implement VMM integration for a stretched single vcenter environment using stretched DRS clusters? Thank you!!

[AshSe · Accepted solution]

Hey @joshuai978  

Integrating Cisco ACI with VMware vCenter in a multi-site design, especially when dealing with a DRS cluster that spans across two sites, requires careful planning to ensure proper network segmentation and management. Here are the key considerations and steps to address your scenario:

Key Considerations

1. VMM Domain and VDS Configuration:

   1. Each ACI site will have its own VMM domain and corresponding VDS.
   2. You will create two VDS instances: VDS_Site1 for Site 1 and VDS_Site2 for Site 2.
   3. Each VDS will be managed by the local APIC controllers of the respective site.

2. DRS Cluster Spanning Multiple Sites:

   1. VMware DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler) clusters can span multiple sites, but this introduces complexity in network management.
   2. Ensure that the network policies and configurations are consistent across both sites to avoid any network segmentation issues.

3. Network Consistency:

   1. Ensure that the VLANs, port groups, and other network configurations are consistent across both VDS instances.
   2. This consistency is crucial for VMs that may migrate between hosts in different sites.

Steps to Implement the Design

1. Integrate Each Site with vCenter:

   • Integrate each ACI site with the shared vCenter.
   • In the APIC GUI, navigate to VM Networking > Inventory > VMware vCenterand add the vCenter to each site's APIC controllers.

2. Create VMM Domains and VDS:

   1. For Site 1:
      • Create a VMM domain in the APIC for Site 1.
      • Configure the VMM domain to create VDS_Site1.
      • Assign VDS_Site1 to the ESXi hosts in Site 1.
   2. For Site 2:
      • Create a VMM domain in the APIC for Site 2.
      • Configure the VMM domain to create VDS_Site2.
      • Assign VDS_Site2 to the ESXi hosts in Site 2.

3. Configure Network Policies:

   • Ensure that the network policies (e.g., EPGs, contracts, VLANs) are consistent across both sites.
   • This consistency is necessary to support VM mobility and DRS operations.

4. DRS Cluster Configuration:

   • Configure the DRS cluster to include hosts from both sites.
   • Ensure that the VMs in the DRS cluster can access the necessary network resources regardless of their physical location.

5. Test VM Mobility:

   • Test VM migration between hosts in different sites to ensure that network connectivity is maintained.
   • Verify that the VMs can access the required resources and that there are no network disruptions during migration.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

1. Network Latency and Performance:

   • Ensure that the inter-site link has sufficient bandwidth and low latency to support VM migrations and DRS operations.
   • Consider the impact of network latency on application performance and VM mobility.

2. Consistency in Network Policies:

   • Use ACI's multi-site capabilities to replicate network policies and configurations across sites.
   • This ensures that the network environment is consistent and predictable.

3. Management and Monitoring:

   • Use ACI's multi-site orchestrator (MSO) to manage and monitor the multi-site environment.
   • MSO can help automate policy replication and provide a unified view of the network.

By following these steps and considerations, you can successfully integrate Cisco ACI with VMware vCenter in a multi-site design, even with a DRS cluster spanning multiple sites. This approach ensures that network policies are consistent and that VMs can migrate seamlessly between sites without network disruptions.

Happy configuration!!!

AshSe

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