Home
Topics
SDN applications
SDN management applications
distributed virtual switch

Definition

distributed virtual switch

A distributed virtual switch is an abstract representation of multiple hosts defining the same name, network policy and port group.

The representation, which illustrates the concept of a virtual machine (VM) remaining connected to the same network folder as it migrates among multiple hosts, allows basic configuration details to be pushed across a cluster. This helps to eliminate common configuration errors.

VMware developed the concept of a distributed virtual switch, a virtual switch (vSwitch) that extends its ports and management across all servers in a cluster so the network can be managed from a centralized perspective.

Related glossary terms: Big Switch Big Network Controller , Big Switch Networks Big Tap, Big Switch Networks Big Virtual Switch, Path Computation Element (PCE), Arista Extensible Operating System (Arista EOS), FlowVisor , Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), application-aware networking (app-ware networking), application-defined networking , SDN application (software-defined networking application)

This was last updated in March 2013

Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Email Alerts

Register now to receive SearchSDN.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy

More News and Tutorials

SDN is promising, but are engineers ready for network programmability?

In SDN, open APIs and network programmability stand ready to forever change network management strategies. Are engineers ready to dump their old ways?
Microsoft uses OpenFlow SDN for network monitoring and analysis

Microsoft is using OpenFlow SDN to aggregate network taps and span ports as an alternative to network packet brokers for monitoring and traffic analysis.
SDN technology for network management better be more than middleware

SDN technology stands to change forever the way networks are managed, as long as it's as ubiquitous as SNMP while being a whole lot more capable.

Articles

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

Research More Tech Terms

Search thousands of tech definitions
Browse tech definitions
Browse Alphabetically:
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- #

Powered by WhatIs.com

File Extensions and File Formats

File Extension and File Formats List:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
#

Powered by WhatIs.com

More from Related TechTarget Sites

Networking
Enterprise WAN
Cloud Provider
Unified Communications
Consumerization
Data Center

Networking
- F5 Application Acceleration Manager combines WAN, Web optimization
  
  F5 Application Acceleration Manager is a single platform for transport, data center and application optimization.
- Robust network security solutions still lacking
  
  As network attacks grow in intensity, network administrators are still seeking tools to block intrusions.
- Networking blogs: The MapR platform strategy; Tax Day case for IPv6
  
  This week, networking bloggers point out the steady progress of the MapR platform and make a case for the serious adoption of IPv6.
Enterprise WAN
- WAN optimization, management and security: Putting the pieces together
  
  By searching for solutions that put WAN optimization, management and security together, enterprise IT can reduce company bottom lines and complexity.
- Five ways applications benefit from enterprise WAN optimization
  
  These are five ways enterprise WAN optimization technology helps overcome productivity and application issues organizations face in today's workforce.
- Optimizing WAN performance: Industry trends driving demand
  
  As the enterprise workplace is becoming more virtual and mobile, optimizing WAN performance to fit end user demands is more vital than ever.
Cloud Provider
- News briefs: VMware public cloud debuts; AWS nets FedRAMP approval
  
  In this week's news briefs, the VMware public cloud officially launches, Dell drops its IaaS offering and AWS gains accreditation from FedRAMP.
- What are the different phases of an IPv6 implementation?
  
  In an IPv6 implementation, it's important to spend time with each of the five phase of the process, IPv6 expert Chip Popoviciu says.
- MSPAlliance cloud insurance offers liability coverage for providers
  
  The MSPAlliance introduces new cloud insurance program, offering extended liability coverage for providers and peace of mind for customers.
Unified Communications
- New Sonus SBC technology: Modular scalability, branch survivability
  
  Sonus announces two new modular session border controllers and branch survivability for enterprise Lync users.
- To cloud or not to cloud your unified communications applications?
  
  When it comes to running your unified communications applications, which should live on-premises or in the cloud? Expert Dave Michels explains.
- Is there a way to mix different unified communications solutions?
  
  It is possible to mix different unified communications solutions to fit your needs, says UC expert Jon Arnold.
Consumerization
- Citrix XenMobile combines MDM, MAM, file-sharing for mobile management
  
  Citrix users say the company's unified enterprise mobility management product, XenMobile, may make it easier to deliver business applications to on-the-go users.
- Mobile adoption still lags behind vendor hype
  
  Mobility management is evolving by leaps and bounds, but some companies haven’t even put their mobile adoption plans in place.
- Using Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for MDM: What you can and can't do
  
  Many companies use Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to give users email access, but its limitations prevent it from being a full MDM tool.
Data Center
- Data center technologies evolve to meet tomorrow's computing demands
  
  VMware's upcoming public cloud and AMD's 64-bit ARM servers are technologies for the data center that exemplify the changes in the IT industry.
- New data center cooling strategies to improve efficiency, lower costs
  
  Stagnant strategies for data center cooling will keep energy bills climbing ever higher, but a more modern approach can bring them back down to earth.
- Converged systems usher in data center transformation
  
  The rise of converged systems has brought a new level of manageability to the data center, but these integrated offerings have a few drawbacks.

All Rights Reserved,Copyright 2013, TechTarget