Configuring Virtual Machine Tracker

This chapter contains the following sections:

Information About Virtual Machine Tracker

Guidelines and Limitations for VM Tracker

VM Tracker has the following guidelines and limitations:

  • VM Tracker supports up to four vCenter connections.

  • VM Tracker supports high availability and the fault tolerance features of vCenter.

  • VM Tracker supports up to 64 VMs per host.

  • VM Tracker supports up to 230 hosts across all vCenters.

  • VM Tracker supports up to 600 VLANs.

  • VM Tracker supports only 507 VLANs in Per VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree (PVRST) mode due to hardware limitations. To enable more than 507 VLANs, use Multiple Spanning Tree (MST).

  • VM Tracker supports ESXi 5.1 and ESXi 5.5.

  • The current version of VM Tracker supports only VMware orchestration. It does not support orchestration with other hypervisors.

  • The current version of VM Tracker relies on Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) information. It does not support Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP).

  • For all ports on which VM Tracker is enabled, you must not perform any Layer 2 or Layer 3 configuration that is related to switchports and VLANs. However, you can update the native VLAN.

  • VM Tracker does not support VLAN 4095.

  • You must connect the host directly to the Cisco Nexus device ports, including the FEX ports. Blade servers are not supported.

  • If you do not specify the virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) while configuring the remote IP address, the management VRF is used.

  • For vCenter version 5.1 and 5.5, the CDP information can contain a maximum of 32 characters for the name of the switch. If the name of the switch exceeds 32 characters, VM Tracker will not work.

Licensing Requirements for the Virtual Machine Tracker

No license is required for this feature.

Enabling Virtual Machine Tracker

By default, the VM Tracker feature is enabled on all interfaces.

Procedure
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1switch# configure terminal  

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 2switch(config)# [no] feature vmtracker  

    Enables the VM Tracker feature on all interfaces.

    The no form of the command disables the VM Tracker feature on all interfaces.

     

    This example shows how to enable VM Tracker:

    switch# configure terminal
    switch(config)# feature vmtracker
    switch(config)#

    Creating a New Connection to vCenter

    Procedure
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1switch# configure terminal  

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 2 switch(config)# [no] vmtracker connection connection-name
       

      Enters VM Tracker connection configuration mode for the connection name specified.

      The no form of the command disables the connection.

       
      Step 3switch(config-vmt-conn)# [no] remote {ip address ip_address | port port_number | vrf vrf_name}
       

      Configures remote IP parameters.

      The default value for port_number is 80. If vrf_name is not specified, the default value is management.

       
      Step 4switch(config-vmt-conn)# username username password password
       

      Verifies the username and password to connect to vCenter.

       
      Step 5switch(config-vmt-conn)# [no] connect
       

      Connects to vCenter.

      The no form of the command disconnects VM Tracker from vCenter.

       

      This example shows how to create a new connection to VMware vCenter:

      switch# configure terminal
      switch(config)# vmtracker connection conn1
      switch(config-vmt-conn)# remote ip address 20.1.1.1 port 80 vrf management
      switch(config-vmt-conn)# username user1 password abc1234
      switch(config-vmt-conn)# connect

      Synchronizing Information with VMware vCenter

      By default, VM Tracker tracks all asynchronous events from VMware vCenter and updates the switchport configuration immediately. Optionally, you can also configure a synchronizing mechanism that synchronizes all host, VM, and port group information automatically with VMware vCenter at a specified interval.

      Command

      Purpose

      [no] set interval find-new-host val

      Sets the interval, in seconds, for finding hosts that are newly connected to vCenter. The no form of the command disables the previously configured interval.

      The default duration is 3600 seconds.

      [no] set interval sync-full-info val

      Sets the interval, in seconds, for synchronizing all host, VM, and port group related information with vCenter. The no form of the command disables the previously configured interval.

      The default duration is 3600 seconds.

      vmtracker connection connection-name refresh

      Synchronizes all host, VM, and port group related information with vCenter immediately for the specified connection.

      This example shows how to set an interval for finding hosts that are newly connected to vCenter:

      switch(config-vmt-conn)# set interval find-new-host 300

      This example shows how to set an interval for synchronizing all host, VM, and port group information with vCenter:

      switch(config-vmt-conn)# set interval sync-full-info 120

      This example shows how to immediately synchronize all host, VM, and port group information with vCenter:

      switch(config-vmt-conn)# vmtracker connection conn1 refresh

      Verifying the Virtual Machine Tracker Configuration

      Use the following commands to display and verify VM Tracker configuration information:

      Command

      Purpose

      show running-config vmtracker [all]

      Displays the VM Tracker configuration.

      show vmtracker [connection conn_name] {{info [interface intf_id ]{summary | detail | host | vm | port-group}} | event-history}
      Displays the VM Tracker configuration based on the following:
      • Connection
      • Interface
      • Event history
      show vmtracker [connection conn_name] status

      Displays the IP address and connection status of the vCenter connection specified.

      show logging level vmtracker

      Displays the logging level of the syslog messages for VM Tracker.

      show system internal vmtracker info all

      Displays the complete configuration information of VM Tracker.

      Enabling Virtual Machine Tracker on Specific Interfaces

      When VM Tracker is enabled by using the [no] feature vmtracker command, it is enabled on all interfaces by default. You can optionally disable and enable it on specific interfaces by using the [no] vmtracker enable command.

      Procedure
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1switch# configure terminal  

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 2switch(config)# interface type slot/port  

        Enters the interface configuration mode for the specified interface.

         
        Step 3switch(config-if)# [no] vmtracker enable  

        Enables the VM Tracker feature on the specified interface.

        The no form of the command disables the VM Tracker feature on the specified interface.

         

        This example shows how to enable VM Tracker on a specified interface:

        switch# configure terminal
        switch(config)# interface ethernet 1/1
        switch(config-if)# vmtracker enable

        Configuring Dynamic VLAN Creation

        Enabling Dynamic VLAN Creation

        Dynamic creation and deletion of VLANs globally is enabled by default. When dynamic VLAN creation is enabled, if a VM is moved from one host to another and the VLAN required for this VM does not exist on the switch, the required VLAN is automatically created on the switch. You can also disable this capability. However, if you disable dynamic VLAN creation, you must manually create all the required VLANs.

        Before You Begin

        Ensure that the VM Tracker feature is enabled.

        Procedure
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 switch# configure terminal
           

          Enters global configuration mode.

           
          Step 2switch(config)# vmtracker connection connection-name
           

          Enters VM Tracker connection configuration mode for the connection name specified.

           
          Step 3switch(config-vmt-conn)# [no] autovlan enable
           

          Enables dynamic VLAN creation and deletion.

          The no form of the command disables dynamic VLAN creation and deletion.

           

          This example shows how to enable dynamic VLAN creation:

          switch# configure terminal
          switch(config)# vmtracker connection conn1
          switch(config-vmt-conn)# autovlan enable

          Configuring an Allowed VLAN List

          By default, all VLANs can be configured dynamically on interfaces. You can also define a restricted list of such VLANs.

          Before You Begin

          Ensure that the VM Tracker feature is enabled.

          Procedure
             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1 switch# configure terminal
             

            Enters global configuration mode.

             
            Step 2switch(config)# vmtracker connection connection-name
             

            Enters VM Tracker connection configuration mode for the connection name specified.

             
            Step 3switch(config-vmt-conn)# allowed-vlans {allow-vlans | add add-vlans | except except-vlans | remove remove-vlans | all}
             

            Configures a list of VLANs that can be dynamically configured on interfaces.

             

            This example shows how to configure a list of allowed VLANs:

            switch# configure terminal
            switch(config)# vmtracker connection test
            switch(config-vmt-conn)# allowed-vlans 100-101
            

            Removing an Allowed VLAN List

            Procedure
               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1switch# configure terminal  

              Enters global configuration mode.

               
              Step 2switch(config)# vmtracker connection connection-name  

              Denotes the vSphere connection.

               
              Step 3switch(config-vmt-conn)# default allowed-vlans  

              Removes allowed VLANs.

               

              This example shows how to remove an allowed VLAN list:

              switch# configure terminal
              switch(config)# vmtracker connection test
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# default allowed-vlans

              Example Configuration for Virtual Machine Tracker

              This example shows how to create a connection with vCenter:

              switch# configure terminal
              switch(config)# feature vmtracker
              switch(config)# vmtracker connection test
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# remote ip address 20.1.1.1 port 80 vrf management
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# username user1 password abc@123
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# connect
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# show vmtracker status
              
              Connection           Host/IP                             status
              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              vc1                  22.0.1.251                          No Connect
              vc2                  22.0.1.247                          Connected
              
              switch# show vmtracker connection vc2 status
              
              Connection           Host/IP                             status
              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              vc2                  22.0.1.247                          Connected
              
              switch# show running-config vmtracker
              
              !Command: show running-config vmtracker
              !Time: Thu Oct  9 18:04:10 2014
              
              version 7.1(0)N1(1)
              feature vmtracker
              
              vmtracker connection vc1
                remote ip address 22.0.1.251
                username administrator password 5 O0rlUinh
                no autovlan enable
                connect
              
              switch# show running-config vmtracker all
              
              !Command: show running-config vmtracker all
              !Time: Thu Oct  9 18:10:00 2014
              
              version 7.1(0)N1(1)
              feature vmtracker
              
              vmtracker connection vc1
                set interval pending-task-polling 2
                set interval sync-full-info 3600
                set interval find-new-host 3600
                remote ip address 22.0.1.251 port 80 vrf management
                username administrator password 5 O0rlUinh
                no autovlan enable
                allowed-vlans all
                connect
              
              switch# show running-config interface port-channel 301
              
              !Command: show running-config interface port-channel301
              !Time: Thu Oct  9 18:06:23 2014
              
              version 7.1(0)N1(1)
              
              interface port-channel301
                switchport mode trunk
                switchport trunk allowed vlan 1,1001,1005
                vpc 301
              
              
              switch# show vmtracker event-history 
              
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Event History (Conn:vc2 NumEv:439 IP:22.0.1.247)
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              EventId    Time                         Event Msg                             
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              12505      Oct 09 2014 17:14:32:475968  Removed TCLI 102 28 on 22.0.2.102 from
                                                       first-dc                             
              12504      Oct 09 2014 17:14:32:475958  Removed TCLI 102 29 on 22.0.2.102 from
                                                       first-dc                             
              12501      Oct 09 2014 17:14:31:535716  Removed TCLI 102 26 on 22.0.2.102 from
                                                       first-dc                             
              12500      Oct 09 2014 17:14:31:535711  Removed TCLI 102 27 on 22.0.2.102 from
                                                       first-dc
              
              switch# show logging level vmtracker 
              
              Facility        Default Severity        Current Session Severity
              --------        ----------------        ------------------------
              vmtracker               2                       7
              
              0(emergencies)          1(alerts)       2(critical)
              3(errors)               4(warnings)     5(notifications)
              6(information)          7(debugging)
              
              
              !How to disconnect from vcenter
              
              switch# configure terminal
              Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
              switch(config)# vmtracker connection vc2
              switch(config-vmt-conn)# no connect
              
              switch# show vmtracker connection vc2 status
              
              Connection           Host/IP                             status              
              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
              vc2                  22.0.1.247                          No Connect
              
              switch# show running-config interface port-channel 301
              
              !Command: show running-config interface port-channel301
              !Time: Thu Oct  9 18:17:04 2014
              
              version 7.1(0)N1(1)
              
              interface port-channel301
                switchport mode trunk
                switchport trunk allowed vlan 1
                vpc 301
              
              switch# show vmtracker info detail 
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            Host            VMNIC   VM                             State PortGroup                           VLAN-Range          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            Host            VMNIC   VM                             State PortGroup                           VLAN-Range          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              
              switch# show vmtracker info host 
              
              Switch: FOC1721R0UG
              ===================
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface                 Host                      VMNIC          
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201           22.0.2.3                  vmnic0         
              Switch: FOC1736R028
              ===================
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface                 Host                      VMNIC          
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201           22.0.2.3                  vmnic1         
              port-channel203           22.0.2.1                  vmnic1         
              port-channel202           22.0.2.3                  vmnic2         
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              
              
              switch# show vmtracker info vm 
              
              Switch: FOC1721R0UG
              ===================
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface                 VM                                  State          
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201           ubuntu server 1                     on             
              port-channel201           win7 1                              on             
              Switch: FOC1736R028
              ===================
              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface                 VM                                  State          
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201           ubuntu server 1                     on             
              port-channel201           win7 1                              on             
              port-channel203           TCL Inst 2.1 11                     on             
              port-channel203           TCL Inst 2.1 12                     on             
              port-channel202           TCL Inst 2.3 10                     on             
              port-channel202           TCL Inst 2.3 8                      off            
              port-channel202           TCL Inst 2.3 9                      off            
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              
              switch# show vmtracker info summary 
              
              Switch: FOC1721R0UG
              ===================
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            VM                             VLANs                    
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      ubuntu server 1                91                       
              port-channel201      win7 1                         91                       
              Switch: FOC1736R028
              ===================
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            VM                             VLANs                    
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      ubuntu server 1                91                       
              port-channel201      win7 1                         91                       
              port-channel203      TCL Inst 2.1 11                93                       
              port-channel203      TCL Inst 2.1 12                93                       
              port-channel202      TCL Inst 2.3 10                97                       
              port-channel202      TCL Inst 2.3 8                 97                       
              port-channel202      TCL Inst 2.3 9                 97                       
              -------------------------------------------------------------
              
              switch# sh vmtracker info port-group 
              
              Switch: FOC1721R0UG
              ===================
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            PortGroup                           Type            VLANs          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      VM Network 3 vpc po                 vSwitch         91             
              port-channel201      VM Network 3 vpc po                 vSwitch         91             
              Switch: FOC1736R028
              ===================
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            PortGroup                           Type            VLANs          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      VM Network 3 vpc po                 vSwitch         91             
              port-channel201      VM Network 3 vpc po                 vSwitch         91             
              port-channel203      VM Network 200 2lvpc AA-FEX         vSwitch         93             
              port-channel203      VM Network 200 2lvpc AA-FEX         vSwitch         93             
              port-channel202      VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          vSwitch         97             
              port-channel202      VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          vSwitch         97             
              port-channel202      VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          vSwitch         97             
              --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              
              
              switch# show vmtracker info detail 
              
              Switch: FOC1721R0UG
              ===================
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            Host            VMNIC   VM                             State PortGroup                           VLAN-Range          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      22.0.2.3        vmnic0  ubuntu server 1                on    VM Network 3 vpc po                 91                  
              port-channel201      22.0.2.3        vmnic0  win7 1                         on    VM Network 3 vpc po                 91                  
              Switch: FOC1736R028
              ===================
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Interface            Host            VMNIC   VM                             State PortGroup                           VLAN-Range          
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              port-channel201      22.0.2.3        vmnic1  ubuntu server 1                on    VM Network 3 vpc po                 91                  
              port-channel201      22.0.2.3        vmnic1  win7 1                         on    VM Network 3 vpc po                 91                  
              port-channel203      22.0.2.1        vmnic1  TCL Inst 2.1 11                on    VM Network 200 2lvpc AA-FEX         93                  
              port-channel203      22.0.2.1        vmnic1  TCL Inst 2.1 12                on    VM Network 200 2lvpc AA-FEX         93                  
              port-channel202      22.0.2.3        vmnic2  TCL Inst 2.3 10                on    VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          97                  
              port-channel202      22.0.2.3        vmnic2  TCL Inst 2.3 8                 off   VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          97                  
              port-channel202      22.0.2.3        vmnic2  TCL Inst 2.3 9                 off   VM Network 4 AA FEX HIF PO          97                  
              ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------