VMware NSX Installation and Configuration Part 4 – Deploy NSX Controller Cluster

NSX Controller is an advanced distributed state management system that provides control plane functions for NSX logical switching and routing functions. It serves as the central control point for all logical switches within a network and maintains information about all hosts, logical switches (VXLANs), and distributed logical routers. Controllers are required if you are planning to deploy

1) distributed logical routers or

2) VXLAN in unicast or hybrid mode.

No matter the size of the NSX deployment, VMware requires that each NSX Controller cluster contain three controller nodes. Having a different number of controller nodes is not supported.

Procedure

1 In vCenter, navigate to Home > Networking & Security > Installation and select the Management tab.

If you have not already configured an IP pool for your controller cluster, configure one now by clicking New IP Pool. Individual controllers can be in separate IP subnets, if necessary.

5 Type and re-type a password for the controller.

NOTE Password must not contain the username as a substring. Any character must not consecutively repeat 3 or more times. The password must be at least 12 characters and must follow 3 of the following 4 rules: n At least one upper case letter n At least one lower case letter n At least one number n At least one special character

6 After the first controller is completely deployed, deploy two additional controllers. Having three controllers is mandatory. We recommend configuring a DRS anti-affinity rule to prevent the controllers from residing on the same host.