How to Add a Virtual Switch Extension Manager in System Center 2012 SP1

Updated: May 13, 2016

Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager

With System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1), if you add a virtual switch extension manager to Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), you can use a vendor network-management console and the VMM management server together. You can configure settings or capabilities in the vendor network-management console—also known as the management console for a forwarding extension—and then use the console and the VMM management server in a coordinated way.

To do this, you must first install the provider software (provided by the vendor) on the VMM management server. Then you can add the virtual switch extension manager to VMM, which will cause the VMM management server to connect to the vendor network-management database and import network settings and capabilities from that database. The result is that you can see those settings and capabilities, and all your other settings and capabilities, together in VMM.

For more information about how virtual switch extension managers fit into the context of logical switches and other networking configuration elements in VMM, see the descriptions of “Logical switch” and “Virtual switch extension manager” in the settings table in Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM.

Before adding a virtual switch extension manager to VMM, you must first obtain provider software from your vendor, install the provider on the VMM management server, and then restart the System Center Virtual Machine Manager service. If you have installed a highly available VMM management server, be sure to install the provider software on all nodes of the cluster. For more information about provider software, refer to the vendor’s documentation.

To add a virtual switch extension manager

1. Confirm that you have installed the necessary provider software. To do this, open the Settings workspace, and in the Settings pane, click Configuration Providers. In the Configuration Providers pane, review the list of installed provider software.

2. Open the Fabric workspace.

3. On the Home tab, in the Show group, click Fabric Resources.

4. In the Fabric pane, expand Networking, and then click Switch Extension Managers.

5. On the Home tab, in the Add group, click Add resources, and then click Virtual Switch Extension Manager.

   The Add Virtual Switch Extension Manager Wizard opens.

6. On the General page, do the following:

   • In the Manufacturer list, select a provider manufacturer, in the Model list, select a model, and then, in the Provider list, select a provider.

   • In the Connection string box, type the connection string for the virtual switch extension manager to use.

     For example, you might enter the connection string myextmanager1.contoso.com:443.

     Important

     The syntax of the connection string is defined by the manufacturer of the virtual switch extension manager. For more information about the required syntax, refer to the manufacturer’s documentation.

   • Next to the RunAs account box, click Browse and, in the Select a Run As account dialog box, select an account, or click Create Run As Account to create a new account, and then click OK.

   • After you have completed all settings, click OK.

7. On the Host Groups page, select the check box for one or more host groups to which you want the virtual switch extension manager to be available. You must select at least one host group. Click Next to proceed.

8. On the Summary page, review and confirm the settings, and then click Finish.

9. Verify that the virtual switch extension manager appears in the Virtual Switch Extension Managers pane.

Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM
Configuring Networking in VMM
How to Create a Logical Switch in VMM
How to Add a Virtual Switch Extension or Network Manager in System Center 2012 R2