VMware NSX-T Cluster types

VMware NSX-T Cluster types

Let's talk about the VMware NSX-T Cluster types. NSX-T is logically designed taking into consideration vSphere clusters and defining the location of each NSX component. 

In VMware NSX-T design there are different clusters use and these are management, Compute and Edge clusters. The number of compute clusters can be increased to scale-out, or different types of workloads can be added.

Management Cluster:
Cloud Management Systems (CMS), NSX Manager, and NSX Controller are all part of the management cluster. Based on the required scale and minimum supported configurations, compute and memory requirements are typically predetermined for hosts and resources.

Generally, resource requirements and capacity requirements are similar. An important component of a system's resiliency is availability, and the management host can enhance this by enabling real-time monitoring.

Furthermore, small to medium businesses needn't worry about rack redundancy. However, it may become necessary at larger scales.

In the cluster, the ESXi hosts do not need to be provisioned with VXLAN. Designed for small and medium businesses where management clusters are collapsed with Edge. To set up a VXLAN management cluster, it must be prepared.

Compute Cluster:
Clusters of computing units can act as transport nodes and be included in overlay networks. NSX-T Edge virtual machines, as well as all tenant workloads, are hosted on this cluster. The tenant virtual machines connectivity is enabled via logical networks

Compute Cluster is based on the rack or multi-rack striping. The connectivity is either single VTEP or multiple VTEPs. It also have multi-rack and zoning. You can also allocate resources based on Cluster separation, Separate VXLAN transport zone, Per tenant DLR and Edge routing domains and DRS and resource reservation.

Edge Cluster:
It is crucial for designing and scaling NSX-enabled workloads to use an edge cluster. It provides critical interaction with the physical infrastructure.

NSX Edge virtual appliances provide North South L3 routing on NSX Edge virtual appliances, allowing communication with physical devices connected to VLANs in physical networks via NSX L2 bridging.

An edge cluster can host NSX Controllers when a dedicated vCenter is used to manage compute and edge resources. Edge cluster resources can be protected by configuration, or their bandwidth can be maintained in the event of a failure.

For north-south routing connectivity and bridging, additional VLANs may be needed. While the placement of physical network devices may be limited, additional VLANs may be required for edge resources.