Spanning a vSwitch network across multiple ESXi hosts

networkingvirtualizationvmware-esxi

In an external hosting site I have three ESXi hosts all hooked up into the same network.

What would be a good solution to create a virtual network spanning all the VMs on those three hosts?
Can I somehow bridge vSwitches between ESXi hosts over the existing physical network, or do I need a second physical network connecting my ESXi hosts?

Alternatively, would investing into vSphere be a better solution here?

Best Answer

It depends on your licencing - if your licence allows for vDistributed Switches then use them, they make life so much easier and configurations inherently consistent. If you don't have that option then you just need to create vStandard Switches and then it's down to you to ensure they're consistent manually.