As a Network Virtualization Architect, it is important to have access to a variety of resources to aid in the design and implementation of a network virtualization solution. VMware provides a wealth of information and tools that can be extremely valuable in this process. In no particular order, some of my favourite resources include:
1. VMware NSX Design Guides on VMware Communities
The VMware NSX Community, which is a forum for NSX users to ask questions and share knowledge. The forum includes excellent NSX design guides. If you desire the golden egg, you must seek out the golden goose. 😉 These are my key go to design documents, the golden geese, that are updated regularly:
- NSX Reference Design Guide, Version 3.2
- NSX-T Multi-Location Design Guide (Federation + Multisite), version 4.0.
- NSX Easy Adoption Design Guide – NSX version 3.2
2. VMware Cloud Foundation Designs
VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is a software-defined data center (SDDC) platform that integrates VMware vSphere, vSAN, and NSX into a single platform. It provides a unified management experience for deploying and managing both on-premises and public cloud infrastructures. The design of VCF is based on the concept of a “cloud building block” which is a set of pre-defined, interoperable and validated components that can be used to build and deploy a SDDC.
These are an excellent reference, even if you don’t deploy VMware Cloud Foundation:
- NSX-T Data Center Design for the Management Domain
- NSX-T Data Center Design for a Virtualized Infrastructure Domain
- VMware Validated Solutions
- VMware Validated Designs
3. VMware NSX Documentation
The VMware NSX documentation portal, which provides detailed information on NSX architecture, installation, configuration, and troubleshooting:
4. VMware Configuration Maximums
VMware Configuration Maximums provide the recommended configuration limits for VMware products, including NSX. Maximums are provided that help guide design decisions, such as the maximum number of Hypervisor Hosts per NSX Management Cluster or the maximum number of Edge Nodes per Edge Cluster:
5. VMware Explore 2022 Library
The library is a collection of resources, such as online courses, videos, and tutorials that are available to registered Explore members. These often provide a window into what direction the product is evolving from a product marketing perspective.
- Design Your Network for Hybrid Cloud
- Design a Software Defined Network for Service Providers Using VMware NSX
6. VMware NSX Design Course
This five-day course provides comprehensive training on considerations and practices to design a VMware NSX environment as part of a software-defined data center strategy. The course is intended for Network Virtualization Architects and other IT professionals who are responsible for designing and implementing NSX solutions. This is a course with which I have had a close association.