Cisco WS-C3550-12G Switch Guide - Page 16

Introduction Series Overview (continued) Virtual Switches Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Switches are virtual software switches that ensure secure network connectivity for all the VMs in the datacenter. The solution is based on the standard IEEE 802.1Q and is integrated with VMware vSphere. Cisco Nexus 1000V Series Switches deliver highly secure multitenant services by adding virtualization intelligence to the data center network. Nexus 1000V comprises two components: • Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM), a software-based switch embedded in the VMware hypervisor • Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM), which manages networking policies and quality of service for virtual machines in concert with the VEM Nexus 1000V can optimize the use of layer 4-7 services in a virtual machine environment through Cisco vPath architecture services. • Cisco vPath technology is aware of all L4-7 policies associated with individual virtual machines. Once the data packets of a specific virtual machine have been identified and policies applied, the remaining data packets flow directly to the virtual machines. • Cisco Virtual Security Gateway (VSG), integrated with the Nexus 1000V Switch provides trusted multitenant access with granular zone-based security policies for virtual machines. VSG delivers security policies across multiple servers, supporting virtual machine mobility across physical servers for workload balancing, availability, or scale for business growth in cloud computing. • Cisco vWAAS, a WAN optimization solution, integrated with Nexus 1000V Switch, delivers application performance acceleration to IT users connected to enterprise data centers and enterprise private clouds. • Developed in close collaboration with VMware, the Cisco Nexus 1000V Series is certified by VMware to be compatible with VMware vSphere, vCenter, ESX, and ESXi, and with many other vSphere features.