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Virtual switch

As explained in 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.

A virtual switch connects virtual machines to one another and to the external network. Each VM uses a virtual NIC, while the hypervisor forwards frames between VM vNICs and the host's physical NICs. section 17.1.1 section 17.4

Key operational characteristics:

  • Treats virtual ports like physical switch ports: ports can operate in access or trunk mode. section 17.1.1
  • Uses VLANs to segment virtual machines. section 17.1.1
  • Uses trunk links when VMs in multiple VLANs must reach the physical network; host NICs also connect to external switches through trunks. section 17.1.1
  • Can use multiple physical NICs for redundancy when each connects to a different physical switch. section 17.1.1

How Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security covers it

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 it assumes
Assumes basic knowledge of physical switches, NICs, VLANs, and trunk links while defining vNIC-based VM connectivity.
What you can do after
Evaluate how VM traffic reaches local VMs and external networks, including when VLANs and trunk links are required.
How it connects
Connects virtual machines, virtual NICs, physical NICs, VLANs, trunk links, hypervisors, and physical switches.
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This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Acing the CCNA Exam: Volume 2 Advanced Networking and Security. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.