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The network layer consists of:
The following figure shows the network layer of the PowerFlex cluster:
Figure 16. Network layer
VMware vSphere Distributed Switches (VDSs or dvSwitches) manage virtual networking in the PowerFlex rack. These dvSwitches contain multiple port groups. Each port group is identified with a network label and associated VLANs. Each node contributes physical adapters or vmnics to dvSwitch uplinks.
The hyperconverged nodes use separate virtual switches for each of the PowerFlex data networks. The ports carrying data traffic are not aggregated through a virtual port channel (vPC) but are configured as simple access ports. The PowerFlex system uses the two networks redundantly.
All other communication is through a separate virtual switch that carries all the other VLANs. Customer VLANs are added to this virtual switch. The storage-only nodes have a similar arrangement but do not use virtual switches.
The PowerFlex data networks use two ports, and the PowerFlex management network uses a pair of ports. Much like the hyperconverged node, the two data network ports are unaggregated access ports, while the two management ports are configured as a bonded interface. The switch connections for these ports are part of a vPC. VMware and customer VLANs are not added to a storage-only node.