Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere

Simplify and Scale Virtual Networking

Get highly secure, multitenant services by adding virtualization intelligence to your data center network with the Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere. This switch:

Extends the network edge to the hypervisor and virtual machines
Is built to scale for cloud networks
Forms the foundation of virtual network overlays for the Cisco Open Network Environment and Software Defined Networking (SDN)

Get the Cisco Nexus 1000V Essential Edition at no cost.
Download Now

Video Data Sheet

Use Nexus 1000V Switch to simplify your VMware vCenter virtual networking. (5:50 min)

Read Data Sheet

Advanced Networking for Hyper-V

Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch simplifies Windows Server 2012 virtual networking.

Get Details

Features and Capabilities

Important differentiators for the Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware vSphere include:

Extensive virtual network services built on Cisco advanced service insertion and routing technology
Support for vCloud Director and vSphere hypervisor
Feature and management consistency for easy integration with the physical infrastructure
Exceptional policy and control features for comprehensive networking functionality
Policy management and control by the networking team instead of the server virtualization team (separation of duties)

Use Virtual Networking Services

The Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch optimizes the use of Layer 4 - 7 virtual networking services in virtual machine and cloud environments through Cisco vPath architecture services.

Cisco vPath 2.0 supports service chaining so you can use multiple virtual network services as part of a single traffic flow. For example, you can simply specify the network policy, and vPath 2.0 can direct traffic:

First, through the Cisco ASA1000V Cloud Firewall for tenant edge security
Then, through the Cisco Virtual Security Gateway for Nexus 1000V Switch for a zoning firewall

In addition, Cisco vPath works on VXLAN to support movement between servers in different Layer 2 domains. Together, these features promote highly secure policy, application, and service delivery in the cloud.

Expand these offerings by building highly secure hybrid clouds with Cisco Nexus 1000V InterCloud.

Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere Editions

Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere is available in two separate editions. The Essential Edition is available at no cost and includes all the basic switching features. Advanced Edition adds advanced security capabilities and Cisco Virtual Security Gateway for Nexus 1000V Switch to the base functionality of Essential Edition. Buying Cisco TAC support is optional for Essential Edition and highly recommended.

Download the Cisco Nexus 1000V Essential Edition

Specifications at a Glance

Cisco Nexus 1000V Virtual Switches now come in an Essential Edition (which is free) and an Advanced Edition (with Cisco Virtual Security Gateway). It includes the following features:
Features	Essential Edition	Advanced Edition
Layer 2 switching: VLANs, private VLANs, VXLAN, loop prevention, multicast, virtual PortChannels, LACP, ACLs	Yes	Yes
Network management: SPAN, ERSPAN, NetFlow 9, vTracker, vCenter Server plug-in	Yes	Yes
Enhanced QoS features	Yes	Yes
Cisco vPath	Yes	Yes
DHCP Snooping	No	Yes
IP Source Guard	No	Yes
Dynamic ARP Inspection	No	Yes
Cisco TrustSec SGA Support	No	Yes
Cisco Virtual Security Gateway	Supported¹	Included
Other Virtual Services (Cisco ASA1000V, Cisco vWAAS, etc.)	Available separately	Available separately

¹ Shipping Virtual Security Gateway (VSG) versions are supported on Essential and Advanced editions. VSG is no longer available as a standalone product.