Cisco APIC Layer 2 Networking Configuration Guide, Release 6.2(x)

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Cisco APIC Layer 2 Networking Configuration Guide, Release 6.2(x)

Virtual Machine Manager Domains

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This topic explains the concept of Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) domains, their role in the ACI fabric, and how they enable scalable, fault-tolerant support for multiple VM controller platforms and tenants.


An ACI VMM domain profile is a policy that defines a VMM domain. The VMM domain policy is created in the ACI fabric and pushed into the leaf switches.

  • Provides a common layer in the ACI fabric that enables scalable, fault-tolerant support for multiple VM controller platforms.

  • Supports multiple tenants within the ACI fabric.

  • Contains VM controllers (such as VMware vCenter or Microsoft SCVMM Manager) and the credentials required for the ACI API to interact with the VM controller.

VMM Domain Policy and Functionality

VMM domains enable VM mobility within the domain but not across domains. A single VMM domain can contain multiple instances of VM controllers, but they must be of the same kind.

  • For example, a VMM domain can contain many VMware vCenters managing multiple controllers, each running multiple VMs, but it may not also contain SCVMM Managers.

The VMM domain inventories controller elements (such as pNICs, vNICs, VM names, and so forth) and pushes policies into the controller(s), creating port groups and other necessary elements.

  • The ACI VMM domain listens for controller events such as VM mobility and responds accordingly.