How vCenter Create VLAN with VMware ESXi

What is VLAN

Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a network segmentation technique used to create logical and isolated networks within a physical network infrastructure. Unlike traditional physical LANs where devices connected to the same network segment can communicate directly with each other, VLANs allow for the virtual grouping of devices regardless of their physical location.

In a VLAN, devices are logically grouped together based on factors such as function, department, or application, regardless of their physical location on the network. This segmentation is achieved by assigning a VLAN ID to each group, effectively creating separate broadcast domains within a single physical network.

Different types of VLANs

VLANs (Virtual LANs) are a versatile network segmentation technique, offering various types to suit different network requirements and organizational needs. Here are the different types of VLANs:

• Port-Based VLANs: Port-based VLANs are one of the most basic forms of VLAN segmentation. In this type, devices are assigned to VLANs based on the physical port they connect to on a network switch.
• Tag-Based VLANs (802.1Q VLANs): Tag-based VLANs, also known as IEEE 802.1Q VLANs, are a more flexible and widely used form of VLAN segmentation. In this type, devices are assigned to VLANs based on tags added to Ethernet frames.
• Protocol-Based VLANs: Protocol-based VLANs, also referred to as protocol-based subnets or IP subnets, segment traffic based on the type of protocol being used. This type is particularly useful for optimizing network performance for different types of applications or services.

How to deploy VLANs with VMware ESXi/vCenter

vCenter create VLAN with VMware ESXi involves several steps to ensure proper network segmentation and efficient management. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to create new VLAN in vCenter with VMware ESXi:

1. Sign in to your ESXi host and select the Networking option from the sidebar on the left. By default, you will be directed to the Port groups section.

2. Within this section, initiate the addition of a port group by clicking Add port group button. Select an appropriate name for the port group and specify a valid VLAN ID for routing traffic.

Note: the VLAN ID must fall within the range of 2 to 4000.

3. Upon completing the naming and VLAN ID assignment, proceed by clicking Add button. This step concludes the networking setup required for ESXi to direct virtual machine traffic over designated VLANs. However, further adjustments are needed within the virtual machines themselves to ensure the assignment of Network Interface Cards (NICs) to the new port groups.

Note: While you assume modifications are being made to an existing VM in this instance, the same alterations can be made during the creation of a VM within the ESXi environment.

4. Access the Virtual Machines tab located on the left sidebar to add VLAN to ESXi host.

Note: VM must be powered off for the subsequent modifications to take effect.

5. To access the settings of the VM, click the Edit button.

6. To enable the routing of VLAN-tagged traffic, the addition of another NIC to the VM is essential. To achieve this, select the Add network adapter option, resulting in the appearance of a second NIC. It's crucial to ensure that the newly added network adapter is associated with the port group established earlier in this tutorial.

Professional vCenter VM backup to ensure your data security

After successfully setting up VLANs within your VMware ESXi/vCenter environment to optimize network segmentation and enhance efficiency, it's imperative to turn our attention to a crucial aspect of maintaining a resilient virtual infrastructure: backup of your virtual machines.

Here I would like to introduce you a professional VMware backup software – AOMEI Cyber Backup. It supports image-level backups for both Linux and Windows virtual machines. The backup and restoration procedure using AOMEI Cyber Backup is safe and easy to use, and it provides the following advantages with its adaptable techniques if you wish to migrate VMs.

✦Agentless Backup: Create complete and independent image-level backup for VMware ESXi and Hyper-V VMs.
✦Multiple VM Backup: Batch backup large numbers of VMs managed by vCenter Server, or multiple VMs on a standalone ESXi host.
✦Easy-to-use: Build a basic backup system with just a few clicks.
✦Automated Execution: Create backup schedules to automate backups daily, weekly, or monthly.
✦Instant Recovery: Instantly restore the whole virtual machine to the previous state from any selected history version.

You can click the following button to download the 30-day free trial.

AOMEI Cyber Backup supports various versions including ESXi 6.0 and later versions. Next, I will show you how to ensure your vCenter data security with AOMEI Cyber Backup in 4 simple steps.

Simple steps to backup and restore VMware VMs via AOMEI Cyber Backup

1. Bind Devices: Access to AOMEI Cyber Backup web client, navigate to Source Device >> VMware >> + Add VMware Device to Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi host. And then click … >> Bind Device.

2. Create Backup Task: Navigate to Backup Task >> + Create New Task >> Backup Type >> VMware ESXi Backup and set Task Name, Device, Target, Schedule, and Cleanup as needed.

• Schedule (optional): Perform full, differential, or incremental backup, and automate execution according to the frequency you specified.

• Device: Batch select large numbers of VMs managed by vCenter Server for centralized backup.

• Cleanup (optional): Automatically delete the old backup copies that exceed the retention period you specified.

3. Run Backup: Click Start Backup and select Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.

4. Restore Task: When restoring, you can also Restore to new location to create a new VM in the same or another datastore/host directly from the backup, saving the trouble of re-configuring the new VM.

Conclusion

Deploying VLANs within the VMware ESXi/vCenter environment is a strategic move towards efficient network management and enhanced security. Understanding the different VLAN types empowers organizations to tailor the network segmentation according to specific requirements.

Moreover, complementing this network efficiency with professional vCenter VM backup solutions like AOMEI Cyber Backup ensures that data remains secure and available, even in the face of unexpected challenges. As the realm of virtualization continues to evolve, mastering these tools and techniques becomes integral to maintaining a resilient and optimized IT infrastructure.