How to Migrate from VMware NSX-V to NSX-T

NSX-V to NSX-T Migration

Migrating from VMware NSX-V to NSX-T can be complex but beneficial, as NSX-T offers greater flexibility, supports multi-cloud environments, and integrates well with Kubernetes and container-based applications. In this blog, we will explore the step by step guide to migrating from VMware NSX for vSphere (NSX-V) to NSX-T.

Differences Between NSX-V and NSX-T

Before exploring the migration process, lets discuss some of the major differences between NSX-V and NSX-T :

• Architecture: NSX-V is designed specifically for vSphere environments, while NSX-T supports heterogeneous environments, including multi-hypervisor and cloud-native workloads.
• Routing: NSX-T offers Tier-0 and Tier-1 routers, providing a clear separation of north-south and east-west traffic.
• Security: NSX-T has advanced security features, including distributed firewalls for containers and microsegmentation in multi-cloud environments.
• Integration: NSX-T supports integration with Kubernetes, OpenShift, and multiple cloud platforms, providing a better solution for hybrid and multi-cloud strategies.

Migrating from VMware NSX for vSphere (NSX-V) to NSX-T

1. Migration Planning

• Assessment: Begin by assessing your current NSX-V setup, including networks, firewall rules, load balancers, and VPN configurations. Identify which elements are essential to migrate.
• Compatibility: Confirm the versions of vSphere, vCenter, and NSX-T for compatibility. NSX-V to NSX-T migration is supported only from specific versions of NSX-V.
• Mapping: Map NSX-V components (logical switches, routers, firewalls) to NSX-T components. Understand how NSX-V Distributed Logical Routers (DLRs) and Edge Service Gateways (ESGs) translate to NSX-T Tier-0 and Tier-1 routers.

2. Migration Approaches

• In-Place Migration: This is supported by VMware’s Migration Coordinator tool, which helps automate the migration process but requires an NSX Manager upgrade to a compatible version.
• Greenfield Deployment(or In-Parallel Migration) : Deploy NSX-T in parallel with NSX-V. This is suitable if you want to gradually transition workloads to NSX-T while maintaining NSX-V operations.
• Lift-and-Shift Migration: Move workloads from NSX-V to NSX-T without retaining the old environment. This method works best for simpler network setups or environments that can tolerate temporary downtime.

3. Migration Coordinator Tool

• VMware provides a Migration Coordinator tool embedded in NSX-T, which helps with an automated in-place migration.
• Preparation: Make sure both NSX-V and NSX-T environments meet the prerequisites for the migration. You’ll need to set up migration objects in the NSX-T environment, like transport zones and edge clusters.
• Execution: The tool allows for a phased migration approach, letting you migrate components such as the NSX-V DLR, firewall rules, and logical switches incrementally.
• Testing: Testing each migrated component is essential to verify that applications and services function as expected after the migration.

4. Network and Security Policy Translation

• NSX-T uses different constructs for security policies, which may require reconfiguration or manual adaptation of NSX-V policies.
• Microsegmentation: While NSX-V supports microsegmentation, NSX-T provides enhanced controls and options, especially for workloads in dynamic environments like Kubernetes.
• Firewall Rules and Policies: Review and update firewall rules, as NSX-T’s rule set may be more granular.

5. Operational Changes Post-Migration

• Day-2 Operations: Familiarize your team with NSX-T’s monitoring and management interfaces, which differ from NSX-V.
• Policy and Automation: NSX-T has a new policy framework and may require adjustments to automation scripts and management workflows.
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Understand new NSX-T troubleshooting commands and workflows, as they may differ from NSX-V’s. NSX-T provides improved tools for debugging and diagnosing network issues.

6. Testing and Validation

• Functional Testing: Ensure that all workloads, policies, and network connections are working as expected in NSX-T. Test firewall rules, connectivity, and load balancers to confirm no disruptions.
• Performance Testing: NSX-T may change network performance characteristics, so conduct performance tests to identify any issues.
• Security Validation: Verify that security policies have been applied correctly and that NSX-T’s distributed firewall functions as intended.

7. Documentation and Training

• Document all steps taken during migration to ensure clarity for future reference or rollbacks.
• Provide training to network and security teams on NSX-T’s new interface and tools, which are different from NSX-V’s.

Post-Migration Optimization

• Analyze Logs and Metrics: Use NSX-T’s enhanced logging to review network flows and adjust settings for optimal performance and security.
• Refine Security Policies: NSX-T offers more flexibility in security policy configuration. Refine policies to take full advantage of NSX-T’s capabilities.
• Monitor and Scale: Continue to monitor network performance and scalability, especially if your environment includes containerized or cloud-native applications.

Migrating from NSX-V to NSX-T enables your organization to leverage multi-cloud environments and microservices architectures. While the migration requires careful planning, it positions your infrastructure for greater flexibility, security, and scalability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rashmi Bhardwaj

I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”

I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.

I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)