AVS support on UCS platform

[sarabsin]

Hi,

We are in design phase of project and considering AVS as solution in integration between ACI and UCS in large Data Center.

I was reading link : https://www.networkcomputing.com/data-centers/vmwares-end-third-party-virtual-switch-support-fallout/934920070

Is this true?

Whats the alternative for Cisco UCS platform to support AVS solution for ACI after Vmware 6.5 U2?

[bayupw · Accepted solution]

Hi Sarabjit,

Yes it is true that 3rd party switch API is not supported after 6.5U1, it is also documented in VMware KB here:

VMware KB 2149722 - FAQ: Discontinuation of third party vSwitch program

As an AVS replacement, you may want to take a look at AVE, see below links:

Introducing the Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Virtual Edge - Cisco

Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure Virtual Edge Data Sheet - Cisco

[sarabsin]

Hi Bayu,

Thanks for the documents and confirmation.

Do you know if AVE will be a just a VM in Hypervisor or something more than that i.e integrated deep in VDS/vSwitch of Hypervisor?

How will it be different than NSX(vmware switch)? or AVS in architecture with respect to Hypervisor?

Thank you.

[bayupw]

Hi Sarabjit,

I don't have any diagrams other than what listed in the links I provided in previous reply.

But if you refer to this release notes: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/3-x/release_notes/apic_rn_311.pdf

It says that AVE runs in user space as a VM (or also referred as Service VM) so it will not run in kernel space like NSX or AVS/Nexus1000v where NSX/AVS will install VIB(s) into ESXi kernel space.

I don't have any public information yet on this but a service VM normally deployed on ESXi host.

Will post here once I have public facing info around AVE

[bayupw]

There are some videos by Joe Ezerski on Cisco AVE for ACI here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEtMhJKnwRM.