Once the configuration on Cisco VIC adapter is done, we need to do certain configuration settings on Nexus switch to enable VM-FEX. In this section we discuss more on the configuration settings that needs to be done specifically on on Nexus 5000 Series switch to enable VM-FEX. We also discuss on settings that needs to be done on ESXi to enable VMFEX.
A VM-FEX license is required for Cisco Nexus device. The license package name is VMFEX_ FEATURE_PKG. Incase if you are just interested in experimenting with this cool feature, a grace period of 120 days starts when you first configure this feature.
We have to do the following configuration on Nexus 5000 switch:
- Enable VM-FEX and other related services
- Define port profiles for dynamic Virtual Machine ports
- Enable vntag on applicable ports
- Install Cisco_nexus_vmfex plugin in vCenter
- Configure SVS connection to vCenter
- Activate and verify the SVS connection
