Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.2VirtualizationMedium
A network administrator is troubleshooting connectivity issues between virtual machines (VMs) hosted on different hypervisors, all connected to a distributed virtual switch (DVS). The DVS spans multiple physical hosts. Which component of the DVS is responsible for forwarding traffic between VMs on different hosts and connecting them to the external physical network?
- ADataplane
- BUplink Adapter
- CManagement Plane
- DControl Plane
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Dataplane
In a distributed virtual switch (DVS) architecture, the dataplane (also known as the data plane) is responsible for the actual forwarding of network traffic between virtual machines, both within the same host and across different hosts, and also handles the connection to the external physical network through physical uplinks. The control plane manages forwarding decisions, and the management plane configures the DVS.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. An uplink adapter is a physical NIC that connects the DVS to the external network, but it's part of the dataplane's function, not the overall forwarding responsibility.
- C. The management plane is for configuration and monitoring, not traffic forwarding.
- D. The control plane makes forwarding decisions but does not directly forward traffic.
Distributed Virtual Switch (DVS) Dataplane
The component of a DVS that performs the actual forwarding of network traffic for virtual machines, including inter-host and external network connectivity.
- Handles Layer 2 forwarding of Ethernet frames.
- Operates on each physical host, executing forwarding decisions from the control plane.
- Responsible for encapsulating/decapsulating traffic for network virtualization overlays (e.g., VXLAN).
Memory trick: DVS Planes: Control, Management, Data - CMD for your network flight.