MicroNugget: What is VM-FEX

In this video, Anthony Sequeira covers VM-FEX. Understanding VM-FEX requires understanding the technology that underlies it: fabric exchange. Both terms get thrown around in data centers often, so watch and learn the differences, similarities, and uses of FEX and VM-FEX.

Anthony uses a simple data center setup to illustrate fabric exchange and VM-FEX. Watch as he starts with a B-series chassis carrying B-series servers.

Rather than get confused by a complicated configuration, we'll just imagine them to have a simple, non-redundant configuration to a fabric interconnect. That interconnect connects upstream to a Nexus 2000, which can act as a child to a parent device that provides the configuration and management.

Treating the N2K like a line card installed locally on the parent Nexus 7000, even when it's at the top of the data center rack, is fabric extension. And VM-FEX is the same principle, except applied to virtual machines at the B-series server level.

Anthony draws out the relationship between these concepts and devices for you, so you can understand this important networking technology.

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[dheena]

Great and simple explanation on a complex topic

[mhomair]

Thanks for making so simple...Gr8 job ....

[pingshidae]

on 4:21 what are the "particular hardware components" are we talking about? are they the CNA or VIC?

[khoavo]

1:35 did he mean "end of row"? What does "end of rack" mean?