This chapter described networking concepts and specific network configuration and features of vSphere 6.5.

Virtual networking concepts are covered, both with standard and distributed virtual switches. Also, there are some considerations about the design, the management, and the optimization of virtual networks.

Virtual networks are real and widely used, with a total number of virtual NICs that is already larger than the physical NICs number (VMware has become the biggest hardware vendor for MAC address).

However, there are new network trends, including Network Virtualization (NV), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and all Software-defined Networking (SDS) solutions and products. VMware NSX, is an NV solution, that could really improve a vSphere environment, not only in the networking part, but also by adding a lot of new functions (using NFV), especially in the security part.

The next chapter will be focused on another important component of the infrastructural part—the storage.