VMware NSX-V is a network virtualization platform that allows us to have software-defined networks and is a critical component of software-defined datacenter architecture. VMware's NSX-V software abstracts the underlying physical network by introducing a software layer that makes it easy to consume network resources by creating multiple virtual networks. NSX-V also allows the deployment of multiple logical network services on top of the abstracted layer.
Note
VMware acquired NSX from Nicira in July, 2012. Nicira's NSX was primarily being used for network virtualization in a Xen-based hypervisor.
VMware now has two flavors of NSX: NSX-V and NSX-MH. NSX-V is NSX for VMware-based hypervisor, while NSX-Multi Hypervisor (NSX-MH) is for OpenStack environments. The two versions have many similarities but are also dissimilar in some aspects. This book covers only the NSX-VMware (NSX-V) version of NSX. NSX-V will be referred to as NSX in the rest of the book.
The following figure represents the software abstraction of the physical network and networking hardware by NSX. This is synonymous with how VMware vSphere hypervisor achieves the software abstraction of CPU, memory, and storage that makes it possible to create multiple virtual machines.
Similar to how the vSphere hypervisor allows you to create, delete, take a snapshot of, and monitor a virtual machine, NSX also allows you to programmatically create, delete, take a snapshot of, and monitor a virtual network. NSX can be deployed on your current physical network infrastructure and does not require you to upgrade your existing infrastructure. Lastly, NSX deployment is not disruptive to your existing network and traffic. It can be seamlessly deployed on top of your existing infrastructure, and the consumption of its services can take place in conjunction with your traditional network.