vCD 5.1 & Nexus 1000v

[Vader]

I'm setting up vCD 5.1 with a Nexus 1000v install and from what I understand there are some differences between how VXLAN is handled from version 1.5.1 to 5.1 where vShield handles the VXLAN traffic. I'm a bit confused on the whole thing however.

Let me first explain what i'm trying to accomplish. Since VCDNI backed ports are not supported with the Nexus 1kv, I would like to use VXLAN to accomplish similiar functionality.

I understand the need to enable segmentation, multicast addressing, etc, however, i'm not understanding how this relates to vSphere port groups like how large should my multicast segment be and how large should my VXLAN port range should be.

Essentially I have a port profile built with VXLAN capability enabled and a VLAN assigned. Do I need a range of Multicast addresses and a range of VXLAN ports to travel via that port profile?

What am I missing....I have yet to find a good whitepaper or guide walking you through the process or at least breaking it down when it comes with vCD 5.1 and Nexus 1kv...they are all regarding 1.5.1 vCD.

 

[Vader]

Wow..i'm finding very little community support for this question..may have to actually reach out to the vendors on this one.

I have the entire environment setup with a Web/App/DB vApp...just have to finish the OS installs and do some connectivity testing.

I really like vCD 5.1...the one thing that's a bit frustrating however is that you can't add a single datastore to an org...well you can..I just don't like how it's done. You add storage using storage profiles..so in essence if you don't have different storage capabilities like in my lab but had several Orgs, I had to create a profile and attach a capability, in turn attaching the capability to the datastore I wanted to add for that Org...worked but a pain...

 

[itrsteve]

I'm not a 1kv user so I'm not of much help to you, I figured this would have been Jason's territory to come in. I did come across some 1kv/vCD/VXLAN architecture slides the other day internally, if I can dig them up and they're redistributable then I'll let you know.

 

[Vader]

So I figured this out...you have to actually use a combination of guides out there...it's not quite straight forward because of the need to stop at a certain point setting up the Nexus and then moving onto vShield to configure your VXLAN network port & multicast ranges, then on to vCloud Director.

After that's done, then you need to setup your Provider VDC and Orgs. When you create your Orgs you will setup your Org Edge appliance and cofigure your VXLAN segment..etc. You can choose to use the same segment and fence your vApps which creates another edge appliance for the vApp itself.

I know this may be confusing but when you do as many times as I have done this the past week i'm starting to get fairly proficient. I should write up a complete guide on my blog, I just can't remember the last time I had free time. Lately, i've barely had time to check out the posts here..which sux.