Introduction
NSX 4.1 is a powerful network virtualization and security platform that allows you to create and manage virtual networks in your data center. Setting up NSX 4.1 can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, you can easily deploy and configure it to suit your organization’s needs. In this article, we will take you through the steps to set up NSX 4.1 step by step.
Prerequisites
Before setting up NSX 4.1, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:
– VMware vCenter Server 6.5 or later
– ESXi 6.5 or later hosts
– NSX Manager OVA file
– NSX Controller OVA file
– NSX Edge OVA file
– Network access to the ESXi hosts and NSX Manager
Step 1: Deploy NSX Manager
1. Download the NSX Manager OVA file and deploy it in your vSphere environment.
2. Power on the NSX Manager virtual machine.
3. Open a web browser and navigate to the NSX Manager IP address.
4. Log in using the default credentials (admin/admin).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up NSX Manager with the necessary configuration settings.
Step 2: Deploy NSX Controller
1. Download the NSX Controller OVA file and deploy it in your vSphere environment.
2. Power on the NSX Controller virtual machine.
3. Open a web browser and navigate to the NSX Controller IP address.
4. Log in using the default credentials (admin/admin).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up NSX Controller with the necessary configuration settings.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 to deploy additional NSX Controllers for redundancy.
Step 3: Prepare ESXi Hosts
1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then Installation.
3. Select Host Preparation and click Install on each ESXi host to prepare them for NSX deployment.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 4: Create Transport Zones
1. Log in to the NSX Manager interface.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then Installation.
3. Select the Logical Network Preparation tab.
4. Click on the Transport Zones tab and then click on the “+” icon to create a new Transport Zone.
5. Enter a name for the Transport Zone and configure the appropriate settings for overlay or VLAN-backed networks.
Step 5: Configure VXLAN
1. Log in to the NSX Manager interface.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then Installation.
3. Select the Logical Network Preparation tab.
4. Click on the VXLAN tab and then click on the “+” icon to configure VXLAN settings.
5. Enter the appropriate settings for the VXLAN configuration, such as the Multicast IP address range and the VXLAN Network Identifier (VNI) range.
Step 6: Configure Logical Switches
1. Log in to the NSX Manager interface.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then Installation.
3. Select the Logical Network Preparation tab.
4. Click on the Logical Switches tab and then click on the “+” icon to create a new Logical Switch.
5. Enter a name for the Logical Switch and select the appropriate Transport Zone and VXLAN configuration.
Step 7: Deploy NSX Edge
1. Download the NSX Edge OVA file and deploy it in your vSphere environment.
2. Power on the NSX Edge virtual machine.
3. Open a web browser and navigate to the NSX Edge IP address.
4. Log in using the default credentials (admin/admin).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up NSX Edge with the necessary configuration settings.
Step 8: Configure NSX Edge Services Gateway
1. Log in to the NSX Manager interface.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then NSX Edges.
3. Select the NSX Edge you want to configure.
4. Click on Manage and then click on Interface.
5. Configure the interfaces according to your network requirements, including IP addresses, VLAN settings, and routing protocols.
Step 9: Configure Security Policies
1. Log in to the NSX Manager interface.
2. Click on Networking & Security and then NSX Edges.
3. Select the NSX Edge you want to configure.
4. Click on Manage and then click on Firewall.
5. Configure the firewall rules to define security policies for traffic flowing through the NSX Edge.
Step 10: Test and Verify NSX Setup
1. Perform a comprehensive test of your NSX deployment to ensure all components are functioning correctly.
2. Test network connectivity between virtual machines across logical switches.
3. Verify that NSX Edge services are functioning as expected.
4. Test firewall rules to ensure traffic is being filtered according to your security policies.
Conclusion
Setting up NSX 4.1 can be a complex process, but by following these steps, you can deploy and configure NSX to create a secure and flexible network environment within your data center. Remember to regularly monitor and maintain your NSX deployment to ensure optimal performance and security for your organization. If you encounter any issues during the setup process, consult the VMware documentation or seek assistance from VMware support.
