The virtual switch

Not to be mistaken for vartual switches, virtual switches, or OpenFlow switches, are a example of the virtualization capabilities of OpenFlow. They are similar to VLANs in both configuration and behavior but are dictated by OpenFlow controllers and flow tables.

Several virtual switches may exist on a single physical device, or a single virtual switch may encompass a whole switch. In the latter case the switch will just be referred to as an OpenFlow switch.

Each virtual switch may be assigned a controller and a set of flow tables, and are associated with their OpenFlow VLANs.

Overview

This article covers the following topics:

• CLI commands used in virtual switching
• Virtual switch setup

CLI Commands

The commands regarding virtual switching will not be found among the usual list of commands when you type ? at the terminal.

This is the list of commands used in virtual switching that is accessible from the CLI:

• setvsi - Creates an instance of virtual switch. Comes with parameters.
• deletevsi <vlan ID> - Deletes an instance of virtual switch.
• showswitch <vlan ID> <detail> - Gives you a list of virtual switches running on your switch.
• showflow <vlan ID> <detail> - Gives you information about the flow tables applied to the virtual switches.

Setup

The following list can be followed as a guideline for setting up virtual switches.

1. Disable spanning tree protocol
2. Create VLANs
3. Assign ports to VLANs
4. Use setvsi to create virtual switches from the ports assigned to VLANs

Example setup

VLANs not associated with virtual switches will behave as regular switches.