Deploying the data plane involves preparing the ESXi hosts that enable them to participate in network virtualization. To prepare your environment for network virtualization, network components must be installed on a per-cluster basis. Any new hypervisors added to this cluster will automatically be prepared for network virtualization. After the network virtualization software (installed as a VIB) is installed, the logical firewall is enabled on that cluster. One important prerequisite is to ensure all hosts in the cluster are part of the distributed virtual switch:
- To prepare a cluster go to the Networking & Security | Installation | Host Preparation tab:
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- Pick your cluster that you want to prepare for NSX component installation on the host. Hover over the Installation Status column and you will find the Install option:
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- Click Install. Click Yes...