Chapter 17. Virtualization - Lenovo RackSwitch G8264 Application Manual

Chapter 17. Virtualization

© Copyright Lenovo 2016
Virtualization allows resources to be allocated in a fluid manner based on the
logical needs of the data center, rather than on the strict, physical nature of
components. The following virtualization features are included in Lenovo
Enterprise Network Operating System 8.4 on the RackSwitch G8264 (G8264):
 Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)
VLANs are commonly used to split groups of networks into manageable
broadcast domains, create logical segmentation of workgroups, and to enforce
security policies among logical network segments.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 Link aggregation
A port LAG pools multiple physical switch ports into a single, high‐bandwidth
logical link to other devices. In addition to aggregating capacity, LAGs provides
link redundancy.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 Virtual Link Aggregation (VLAGs)
With VLAGs, two switches can act as a single logical device for the purpose of
establishing port aggregation. Active LAG links from one device can lead to
both VLAG peer switches, providing enhanced redundancy, including
active‐active VRRP configuration.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 Stacking
Multiple switches can be aggregated into a single super‐switch, combining port
capacity while at the same time simplifying their management. Enterprise NOS
8.4 supports one stack with up to eight switches.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 Virtual Network Interface Card (vNIC) support
Some NICs, such as the Emulex Virtual Fabric Adapter, can virtualize NIC
resources, presenting multiple virtual NICs to the server's OS or hypervisor.
Each vNIC appears as a regular, independent NIC with some portion of the
physical NIC's overall bandwidth. Enterprise NOS 8.4 supports up to four
vNICs over each server‐side switch port.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 VMready
The switch's VMready software makes it virtualization aware. Servers that run
hypervisor software with multiple instances of one or more operating systems
can present each as an independent virtual machine (VM). With VMready, the
switch automatically discovers virtual machines (VMs) connected to switch.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
 Unified Fabric Port (UFP)
An architecture that logically subdivides a high‐speed physical link connecting
to a server NIC. UFP provides a switch fabric component to control the NIC.
For details on this feature, see Chapter
9, "VLANs."
10, "Ports and Link Aggregation."
12, "Virtual Link Aggregation Groups."
18, "Stacking."
19, "Virtual NICs".
20, "VMready."
25, "Unified Fabric Port".
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