How to Setup NSX 4.1 Step by Step

Welcome to my step-by-step guide on configuring NSX 4.1! If you’re looking to enhance your network security and performance, the NSX Application Platform is a powerful tool to consider. In this article, I’ll walk you through the setup process, ensuring a smooth deployment of NSX 4.1. Whether you’re new to NSX or looking to upgrade, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information and prerequisites to get started.

Before diving into the configuration, it’s important to understand the requirements for setting up NSX 4.1. This includes having a supported Tanzu Kubernetes Cluster (TKC) or any CNCF conformant upstream Kubernetes cluster, load balancer services, and a CSI driver for persistent volumes. Additionally, you’ll need access to the container registry for downloading necessary images, a compatible NSX version, and DNS records in place. Possessing a valid NSX license is also essential for a successful setup.

The NSX Application Platform offers two form factors: Standard and Advanced. Each has its own resource requirements and supports different features. I’ll explain the differences and provide sizing details to help you determine the best fit for your environment.

If you’re using a vSphere with Tanzu environment, I’ll walk you through the current setup, including vSphere clusters, the vCenter server, and the NSX Advanced Load Balancer. Understanding the integration and configuration of these components is crucial for a successful NSX deployment.

In conclusion, setting up NSX 4.1 and deploying the NSX Application Platform can be a complex process. However, with this step-by-step guide and a clear understanding of the prerequisites, you’ll be well-equipped to configure NSX 4.1 and take advantage of its advanced features. Let’s dive in!

NSX Application Platform Prerequisites

Before deploying the NSX Application Platform (NAPP), several prerequisites need to be met to ensure a successful deployment and smooth functioning. These prerequisites include:

• A supported Tanzu Kubernetes Cluster (TKC) or upstream Kubernetes cluster with the required sizing
• Support for load balancer services
• Installation of a Container Storage Interface (CSI) driver for provisioning persistent volumes
• Access to the container registry for downloading necessary images
• Compatibility of the NSX version with the NAPP version
• Creation of DNS records to enable name resolution
• Possession of a valid NSX license

Meeting these prerequisites ensures that NAPP can be deployed and function properly within the designated environment. This includes having the appropriate Kubernetes infrastructure, load balancing capability, persistent storage provisioning, access to required container images, version compatibility between NSX and NAPP, proper DNS configuration, and licensing compliance.

By fulfilling these preconditions, organizations can seamlessly deploy the NSX Application Platform, unlocking the advanced features and capabilities it offers for enhanced network security and performance.

NSX Application Platform Sizing

When deploying the NSX Application Platform, it is essential to understand the two form factors available: Standard and Advanced. Each form factor comes with its own set of features and resource requirements.

Standard Form Factor

The standard form factor supports NSX Malware Prevention, NSX NDR, and NSX Metrics. It is designed to meet the needs of organizations focusing on these specific features. To deploy the standard form factor, a TKC cluster with a minimum of 1 master node and 3 worker nodes is required. The following resource requirements must be met:

It’s important to note that the standard form factor does not support NSX Intelligence.

Advanced Form Factor

The advanced form factor includes all the features of the standard form factor and also supports NSX Intelligence. This form factor is recommended for organizations looking to leverage the full capabilities of NSX Application Platform. Similar to the standard form factor, the advanced form factor requires a TKC cluster with a minimum of 1 master node and 3 worker nodes. However, the resource requirements are higher:

It’s also worth noting that the scale-out of NSX Application Platform is only supported in the advanced form factor.

Understanding the sizing and resource requirements of the different form factors is crucial for a successful deployment of the NSX Application Platform. By correctly choosing the appropriate form factor, organizations can ensure optimal performance and utilization of the platform.

Current Environment Walkthrough – vSphere with Tanzu

In order to successfully deploy the NSX Application Platform, the current environment utilizes a vSphere with Tanzu setup. This setup consists of two vSphere clusters that are managed by a single vCenter server.

The first cluster is the management cluster, named “VxDC01-C01-MGMT-NAPP”. This cluster has been enabled with vSphere with Tanzu and hosts all the necessary management components, as well as the Tanzu Kubernetes Cluster (TKC) for the NSX Application Platform.

The second cluster is the compute cluster, named “VxDC01-C02-Compute”. This cluster has been prepared with NSX and is responsible for hosting the overlay workloads and NSX edge transport nodes.

Within the management cluster, workload management is enabled using vSphere networking with NSX Advanced Load Balancer. This ensures efficient load balancing and routing of traffic within the environment.

The vSphere with Tanzu environment has specific vSphere networks allocated for various purposes, including supervisor cluster management, TKG workload, and VIP network.

Current Environment Walkthrough – NSX Advanced Load Balancer

The NSX Advanced Load Balancer (ALB) plays a crucial role in the vSphere with Tanzu environment, providing effective load balancing and ensuring the proper routing of network traffic. This integration with vSphere with Tanzu allows for a seamless deployment and configuration of the NSX ALB, enabling efficient load balancing in the environment.

Integrating NSX ALB with vSphere with Tanzu revolves around the configuration and deployment of service engines. The “Default-Cloud” account is used for this integration, allowing easy management of service engines across the environment. To facilitate communication between service engines, a Virtual Distributed Switch (VDS) portgroup is designated as the management network.

In order to allocate and advertise IP addresses, an IPAddressPool and L2Advertisement are created within the environment. These components ensure seamless IP address provisioning and availability. Additionally, DNS profiles can be leveraged to simplify name resolution for virtual services. By configuring DNS virtual services as system services in NSX ALB, organizations can ensure efficient and reliable name resolution for their network.

Summary

The NSX Advanced Load Balancer configuration within the vSphere with Tanzu environment enables efficient load balancing and smooth traffic routing. By integrating NSX ALB, organizations can effectively manage their VIP networks and ensure optimal performance and scalability. DNS profiles simplify name resolution, enhancing the overall usability of the environment.

Conclusion

Setting up NSX 4.1 and deploying the NSX Application Platform can be a complex process, but by following the step-by-step guide and meeting the necessary pre-requisites, organizations can simplify the configuration and successfully deploy the platform. The integration of NSX with vSphere with Tanzu provides a robust networking and security solution, enabling organizations to enhance their infrastructure’s network security and performance.

By deploying the NSX Application Platform, organizations can take advantage of advanced features such as NSX Intelligence, NSX Malware Prevention, and NSX Network Detection and Response (NDR), further strengthening their overall security posture. The successful configuration of NSX 4.1 ensures that organizations can leverage the full capabilities of the platform and optimize their network operations for improved efficiency and reliability.

With proper sizing and configuration, NSX 4.1 offers a comprehensive network security and management solution that aligns seamlessly with vSphere with Tanzu. By implementing NSX integration with vSphere with Tanzu, organizations can unlock the potential of their infrastructure, enabling efficient deployment and management of containerized workloads while ensuring network agility, visibility, and control.