VCenter to Cisco ACI incompatibility Issue

[Jai401]

One of our end customers uses VMM (Virtual Machine Manager) integration to connect Cisco ACI to their VMware environment. This integration allows the ACI fabric to manage VMware ESXi hosts via a distributed switch (DVS). Currently, this functionality is supported with VMware vCenter Server version 7.0.3.

The customer is planning to upgrade their VMware environment to vSphere 8.2 or 8.3 and has inquired whether the existing ACI Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS) will continue to be supported with these newer versions of VMware.

The current Cisco ACI version in use is 5.2(2f). Based on the compatibility matrix, we have concluded that an ACI version upgrade is required to ensure compatibility with VMware vSphere 8.x.

Cisco ACI Virtualization Compatibility Matrix

I am in the process of downloading the correct version of the APIC software to perform the necessary pre-validation checks. However, I came across a note in the compatibility matrix stating:
“vSphere 8.0 does not support the vCenter Plug-in and Cisco ACI Virtual Edge (AVE). Use vSphere 7.0 if needed.”

This raises concerns about upgrading to vSphere 8.x, especially since the setup was implemented before I joined the company, and I have limited hands-on experience with ACI or virtualization. Based on advice from TAC, it is understood that if the current setup relies on either the vCenter Plug-in or Cisco ACI Virtual Edge (AVE), upgrading to vSphere 8.x could disrupt operations.

Given this, my main question is how I can confirm whether the existing setup depends on the vCenter Plug-in or Cisco ACI Virtual Edge (AVE). This will help us determine if upgrading to vSphere 8.0 will impact the customer's environment.

[AshSe]

Hi @Jai401 

Please check if you really need vCenter Plug-in and Cisco AVE (ACI Virtual Edge). I doubt if you would be using either in your current setup.

The vCenter Plug-in is an optional component that integrates Cisco ACI with the VMware vCenter interface. It allows administrators to manage ACI directly from the vCenter UI.

The Cisco ACI Virtual Edge (AVE) is a virtual appliance that provides distributed switching functionality for virtualized environments. From your above details, it looks you are using DVS and not AVE.

Let me know if you need more clarity on these tools.

Hope This Helps!!!

AshSe

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[Jai401]

Thank you, AshSe.

I appreciate the clarity provided in your previous response. To summarize my understanding:

1. The vCenter Plugin is used to manage ACI directly from the vCenter, but it is not mandatory for running ACI-APIC.
2. We can use either DVS or AVE, but not both simultaneously. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

Given the setup information I gathered from the IT administrator, I would like to verify these components myself. Could you please guide me on how to check and confirm the presence of these two components in the current setup? Specifically, is this something that would be on ACI on VMware? Additionally, could you provide navigation instructions for both?

Thank you very much for your help. @AshSe 

[AshSe]

Hello @Jai401 

You can go through below Cisco dCloud Lab to understand the vCenter Server navigation steps:

Getting Started with Cisco ACI 5.2 v1

Feel free if you need any help

AshSe