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Nexus 1000v users: Are you using Nexus 1010?

Julian Regel
Level 1
Level 1

We're looking at deploying a VMware solution that incorporates the Nexus 1000V. The supplier has specified two Nexus 1010 appliances. Having not used the 1000V before, is this a very commonly implemented solution?

I've been trying to find out why the 1010 might be used, and the main reason would appear to be that the network team don't want the Nexus 1000V VSM to be running on servers managed by the server team (who they don't trust) and the 1010 gives them something to point at and say "This is ours".

Cynical perhaps, but what are the technical reasons for wanting to deploy the 1010 over a purely software based VSM setup?

Thanks for any advice.

2 Replies 2

cutran
Cisco Employee
Cisco Employee

Hi Julian.  There's no technical difference between the VSM installed as a VM or a VSM installed on the Nexus 1010.  There are operational differences that the network team may prefer the 1010 route.  Here is a high level operational difference:

VSM as VM:

     1) Server Admin deploys VSM

          a) Installs primary via OVA (makes sure correct control/packet/mgmt VLANs - i.e. portgroup are created for them)

          b) Installs secondary (ideally on second physical server for redundancy) and joins the same domain id as primary

     2) Hands over to network team to run network tasks

          a) Console in via vSphere "console" to primary VSM

          b) run setup and creation of port-profiles (both for phyiscal NICs and VM NICs)

          c) Creation of port-profiles for VMs is a joint process between Server and Network teams

     3) Network team hands over to Server team to add ESX/ESXi server to become a VEM

----------

VSM on Nexus 1010

     1) Network team deploys Nexus 1010 in HA mode - One time operation

     2) Network team installs Nexus 1000V VSMs (both primary/secondary)

          a) This is done by creating a "virtual-service-blade" VSB -- similar to a template

          b) Once VSB is created, it will automatically deploy both primary and secondary VSMs across the 2 Nexus 1010

          c)  Network team console into Nexus 1010 to VSB and run network tasks for VSM - step 2 from VSM as a VM

     3) Hands over to Server team to add ESX/ESXi server as a VEM

--------

As you may see, operational there is only 1 hand-off between the 2 teams.  But the most prominent reason is what you stated.  Many network teams "DO NOT" like vSphere console and would prefer a CLI based tool, which the Nexus 1010 provides them.  The tool is familiar to what they are used to when managing a network.  There are typically other minor ones as well but it varies between customers.  But from a technical aspect of the VSM on either form factor, there is no difference from the Nexus 1000V features/functions.  Hope this helps.

Cuong

Thanks Cuong

Appreciate the reply and help!

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