Virtual switch
A virtual switch is software-based networking infrastructure that forwards traffic among virtual interfaces and between virtual and physical networks.
Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security
A virtual switch is software that forwards network frames between virtual machines and physical network interfaces.
- How it is used
- Connects virtual machines with each other and with external physical networks through hypervisor-managed frame forwarding.
- How deep it goes
- Explains frame paths, vNICs, access and trunk modes, VLAN segmentation, and redundancy, without product-specific configuration commands.
- Examples
- Uses VM-to-VM and VM-to-external-network paths, VLAN segmentation, trunk links, and multiple physical NICs for redundancy.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate how VM traffic reaches local VMs and external networks, including when VLANs and trunk links are required.
Read how Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security explains virtual switch →
Practical Automation with PowerShell: Effective scripting from the console to the cloud
A virtual switch is software-based network switching infrastructure that connects virtual machines to one another or to physical networks.
- How it is used
- Uses the virtual switch as a configurable input when automating Hyper-V virtual-machine creation.
- How deep it goes
- Classifies the virtual switch as an automation parameter but does not explain switching internals or network configuration.
- Examples
- Uses a Hyper-V virtual-machine creation parameter list and a diagram dividing inputs into four parameter buckets.
- What you can do after
- Operate/configure it by selecting an appropriate mandatory, fixed, optional, or logical automation parameter strategy.
Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 1 Fundamentals and Protocols
A virtual switch is a logically defined switching instance that operates as an independent switch within shared physical switching hardware.
- How it is used
- Uses VLANs to segment a physical switch into independent Layer 2 broadcast domains.
- How deep it goes
- Explains VLAN-based separation, frame-flooding boundaries, and inter-VLAN routing, but does not detail switch internals.
- Examples
- Demonstrates SW1 divided into VLAN 10, VLAN 20, and VLAN 30 with assigned interface groups.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate how VLAN assignments isolate broadcasts and determine when routing is required between groups.
Read how Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 1 Fundamentals and Protocols explains virtual switch →
Related concepts
- virtual network interfaceuses · A virtual network interface is a software-defined interface through which a virtualized or isolated system sends and receives network traffic.
- network switchkind of · A network switch is a device that connects devices within a local network and selectively forwards data-link-layer frames to their intended destinations.
These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.