VM Tracer

This chapter describes VM Tracer configuration and usage and contains these sections:

Introducing VM Tracer

VM Tracer determines the network configuration and requirements of connected VMware hypervisors. The switch uses the VMware SOAP XML API to discover VMware host server components, including the following:
  • Instantiated VMs with the network configuration, including VLANs and distributed or virtual switches.
  • Provide server hardware IPMI data to the network manager.

VM Tracer also supports adaptive auto-segmentation, which automatically provisions and prunes VLANs from server-switched ports as VMs are instantiated and moved within the data center.

VM Tracer Description

Cloud operating systems manage large virtualized computing infrastructures, including software and hardware. Cloud operating systems consist of virtual machines and hypervisors:
  • A Virtual Machine (VM) contains software that emulates a computer running on dedicated physical hardware. Multiple VMs share physical computer resources from a single physical device. The operating system controls each VM.
  • A hypervisor, a Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), manages multiple operating systems running concurrently on a physical device.

VM Tracer tracks the activity of VMs controlled by hypervisors connected to the switch Ethernet or LAG ports. It supports vSphere versions 6.0– 7.0. The vSphere features include Distributed Virtual Switches (DVS) and VM movement among VMware servers (VMotion).

vSphere components includethe following:
  • ESX and ESXi - Hypervisors that run on VMware host server hardware.
  • vCenter -A centralized tool that manages multiple servers running VMware hypervisors.
  • NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V) -A network virtualization platform delivering networking and security.
Monitoring VLAN based configurations requires vCenter access. Monitoring VXLAN-based configurations requires access to vCenter and NSX-V. The following sections describe topologies that monitor these networks:

Monitoring VLAN-based Configurations

vCenter manages ESX hosts and VMs through a central database. VM Tracer identifies interfaces connected to a specified ESX host and sends discovery packets (CDP or LLDP) on interfaces where VM Tracer is enabled. The ESX host updates the vCenter when it receives a discovery packet. VM Tracer reads this data from the vCenter through a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) XML API to associate the ESX host to the connected switch ports. The following figure displays the network topology of this configuration.

Figure 1. VM Tracer Topology – Monitoring VLAN Based Configurations

VM Tracer connects to a maximum of four vCenters through a SOAP XML API to discover VMs in the data centers managed by the vCenters. VM Tracer maintains a list of VMs in the data center and collects network-related information about each VM, including the number of Vnics (virtual network interface card), each Vnic MAC address, the connected switch, and the host on which it resides. VM Tracer also identifies the host NICs connected to the switch through the bridge MAC address and the interface port name. VM Tracer then searches for VMs on this host and connects to the vswitch or dvswitch with the uplink mapped to the connected NIC.

VM Tracer creates a VM Table for each connected interface that lists the active VMs, sorted by Vnic MAC address. Each VM entry includes the name, Vnic name, VLAN, switch name, datacenter name, and port group. The VM Table deletes the VM entry after removing the corresponding VM, moving the VM to a different host, or the Vnic no longer exists as part of the vswitch or dvswitch. The VM Table adds an entry after creating a VM or moving a VM to a host connected to the interface. VM Tracer monitors vCenter for VM management updates. If an interface goes down, the VM Table removes all VM entries for that interface.

Monitoring VXLAN-based Configurations

Monitoring VXLAN-based configurations require access to the NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V), in addition to the configuration described in Monitoring VLAN-based Configurations. Each VM Tracer session can communicate with one NSX-V through a REST interface over XML and gathers VXLAN information by polling it on a 30-second polling cycle. VXLAN data that the switch receives from the NSX-V includes the following:
  • VNI range
  • VXLAN segment
  • Multicast address range
  • Network scope

The network scope specifies the virtual address space that the VXLAN segments span and the server group (cluster) collections within the segments, which in turn contain a collection of distributed virtual switches (DVS) from ESX hosts within the clusters.

VM Tracer uses this information to build a network model. Communications with NSX-V require a single polling thread that detects network connectivity and constantly updates the local data model.

The following diagram displays the network topology of this configuration.

Figure 2. VM Tracer Topology – Monitoring VXLAN Based Configurations

VM Tracer Configuration Procedures

The following sections describe the session configuration process, configuring the NSX-V connection for VXLAN based configurations, and the procedure for enabling VM Tracer on individual interfaces. The switch defines the vmtracer configuration mode and VMtracer mode:
  • vmtracer configuration mode is a command mode for configuring VM Tracer monitoring sessions.
  • VMtracer mode defines an interface state that sends discovery packets to attached vSwitches.

Configuring vCenter Monitoring Sessions

A VM Tracer session connects the switch to a vCenter server for downloading data about VMs and vSwitches managed by ESX hosts connected to the switch ports. The switch supports four VM Tracer sessions.

Place the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode to edit session parameters, including the vCenter location and dynamic VLAN usage. Changes take effect by exiting vmtracer configuration mode.

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode for a specified session. The command either creates a new session or loads an existing session for editing.

Example

This command enters the vmtracer configuration mode for the system_1 session. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

In vmtracer configuration mode, the url (vmtracer mode), username (vmtracer mode), and password (vmtracer mode) commands specify the location and the account information that authenticates the switch. The URL parameter must reference a fully formed secure URL.

Example

These commands specify the IANA url along with the username and password that allow the switch to access the location. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#url https://example.com/sdk
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#username a-switch_01
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#password abcde
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

Default session settings permit auto-segmentation, or the dynamic allocation and pruning of VLANs when creating, deleting, or moving a VM managed by the ESX host to a different host. The autovlan disable command prevents auto-segmentation, regardless of VM activity. The allowed-vlan command specifies the available VLANs when adding or moving a VM. By default, all VLANs are allowed.

Examples
  • This command disables auto-segmentation. 
    switch(vmtracer-system_1)# autovlan disable
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#
  • These commands enable auto-segmentation and limit the list of allowed VLANs to VLAN 1-2000. 
    switch(vmtracer-system_1)# no autovlan disable
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# allow-vlan 1-2000
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

The exit command returns the switch to the global configuration mode and enables the VM Tracer session. The vmtracer configuration mode can be re-entered for this session to edit session parameters.

Example

This command exits vmtracer configuration mode. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# exit
switch(config)#

The no vmtracer session command disables the session and removes it from running-config.

Example

This command disables and deletes the system_1 VM Tracer session. 
switch(config)# no vmtracer session system_1
switch(config)#

Configuring vShield Monitoring Sessions

The switch must communicate with an NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V) to monitor VXLAN-based VMware configurations. The vmtracer-VXLAN configuration mode specifies the location and user account data that permits the switch to access an NSX-V within the configuration mode vmtracer session.

Place the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode to edit session parameters, including the vCenter location and dynamic VLAN usage. Changes take effect by exiting vmtracer mode.

Execute the vxlan (vmtracer mode) command from the vmtracer mode for a specified session and places the switch in the vmtracer-VXLAN configuration mode for that session. Each VM Tracer session can be associated with one vShield instance.

Example

These commands create the vShield instance for the VMTracer session named vnet-1. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session vnet-1
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# vxlan
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)#

In the vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode, the url (vmtracer-vxlan mode), username (vmtracer-vxlan mode), and password (vmtracer-vxlan mode) commands specify the vShield server location and the account information that authenticates the switch to the vShield server. The url parameter must reference a fully formed secure url, such as https://vcshield.democorp.com/sdk.

Example

These commands specify the vShield URL along with the username and password that allow the switch to access the vShield server. 
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# url https://vshieldserver.company1.org/sdk
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# username a-shield_01
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# password home
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)#

Enabling VMtracer Mode

VMtracer mode provides an interface setting that enables interfaces to send discovery packets to the connected vSwitch. The vmtracer command enables VMtracer mode on the configuration mode interface.

Examples
  • These commands enable VMtracer mode on the interface Ethernet3. 
    switch(config)# interface Ethernet3
switch(config-if-Et3)# vmtracer vmware-esx
switch(config-if-Et3)#
    The no vmtracer command disables vmtracer mode on the configuration mode interface.
  • This command disables vmtracer mode on the interface ethernet 3. 
    switch(config-if-Et3)# no vmtracer vmware-esx
switch(config-if-Et3)#

Displaying VM Tracer Data

Displaying Session Status

The show vmtracer session command displays information about the specified session.

Without the detail parameter, the command displays connection parameters and status for the vCenter associated to the specified session.

Example

This command displays connection parameters for the vCenter associated with the system_1 session. 
switch# show vmtracer session system_1
    vCenter URL https://vmware-vcenter1/sdk
    username arista
    password arista
    Session Status Disconnected

With the detail parameter, the command displays connection status and data concerning messages the vCenter previously received from ESX hosts connected to the switch.

Example

This command displays connection parameters and message details for the vCenter associated with the system_1 session. 
switch# show vmtracer session system_1 detail
    vCenter URL https://vmware-vcenter1/sdk
    username arista
    sessionState Connected
    lastStateChange 19 days, 23:03:59 ago
    lastMsgSent CheckForUpdatesMsg
    timeOfLastMsg 19 days, 23:14:09 ago
    resonseTimeForLastMsg 0.0
    numSuccessfulMsg 43183
    lastSuccessfulMsg CheckForUpdatesMsg
    lastSuccessfulMsgTime 19 days, 23:14:19 ago
    numFailedMsg 1076
    lastFailedMsg CheckForUpdatesMsg
    lastFailedMsgTime 19 days, 23:14:09 ago
    lastErrorCode Error -1 fault: SOAP-ENV:Client [no subcode]
    "End of file or no input: Operation interrupted or timed out after 600s send 
or     600s receive delay"
    Detail: [no detail]
    CheckForUpdates:

Displaying VM interfaces

The show vmtracer interface command displays the VM interfaces (Vnics) active on switch interfaces with vmtracer mode enabled. For each Vnic, the command displays the name of the attached VM, the adapter name, the VLAN, the VM power state, and the presence status of its MAC address in the switch MAC table.

This command displays the Vnics connected to all VM Tracer-enabled interfaces.

switch# show vmtracer interface

Ethernet8 : example.com
    VM Name VM Adapter VLAN Status
    esx3.aristanetworks.com vmk0 0 Up/Down
    vspheremanagement Network adapter 1 0 Up/Down

Ethernet15 : example.om
    VM Name VM Adapter VLAN Status
    Openview Network adapter 1 123 Up/Down
    VmTracerVm Network adapter 1 123 Down/Down

Ethernet23 : example.com
    VM Name VM Adapter VLAN Status

Ethernet24 : example.com
    VM Name VM Adapter VLAN Status

Displaying VMs

The show vmtracer vm command displays VM interfaces (Vnics) accessible to the VM Tracer-enabled interfaces. For each active listed VM, the command displays tghe name, adapter, and the connected hypervisor.
  • This command displays the VMs connected to all VM Tracer-enabled interfaces. 
    switch# show vmtracer vm
    VM Name VM Adapter Interface VLAN
    Openview Network adapter 1 Et15 123
    vspheremanagement Network adapter 1 Et8 0
    VmTracerVm Network adapter 1 Et15 123
    example.com vmk0 Et8 0
  • This command displays connection data for the VMs connected to all VM Tracer-enabled interfaces. 
    switch# show vmtracer vm detail
VM Name Openview
   intf : Et15
   vnic : Network adapter 1
   mac : 00:0c:29:ae:7e:90
   portgroup : dvPortGroup
   vlan : 123
   switch : vds
   host : example.com

VM Tracer Commands

Global Configuration Commands

Interface Configuration (Ethernet and Port Channel) Commands

VMTracer Configuration Commands

VMTracer-VXLAN Configuration Commands

VM Tracer Display Commands

allowed-vlan

The allowed-vlan command specifies the VLANs that may be added when adding or moving a VM from the hypervisor connected to the session specified by the vmtracer mode. By default, all VLANs are allowed.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

allowed-vlan [VLAN_LIST]

no allowed-vlan

default allowed-vlan vlan

Parameters

VLAN_LIST     The VLAN list or the edit actions to the current VLAN list. Valid v_range formats include number, or number range.
  • v_range     The list consists of the v_range VLANs.
  • add v_range     The v_range VLANs are added to the current VLAN list.
  • all     The list consists of all VLANs (1-4094).
  • except v_range     The list consists of all VLANs except for those specified by v_range.
  • none     The list of VLANs is empty.
  • remove v_range     The v_range VLANs are removed from the current VLAN list.

Related Commands

vmtracer session places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Examples
  • This command sets the list of allowed VLANs to 1 through 2000. 
    switch(vmtracer-system_1)# allow-vlan 1-2000
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#
  • This command adds VLANs to 2501 through 3000. 
    switch(vmtracer-system_1)# allow-vlan add 2051-3000
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

autovlan disable

Default VM Tracer session settings enable auto provisioning, which allows the dynamic assignment and pruning of VLANs when creating, deleting, or moving a VM attached to the ESX connected to the switch to a different ESX host. The autovlan setting controls auto provisioning.

The autovlan disable command disables auto provisioning, which prevents the creation or deletion of VLANs regardless of VM activity. The allowed-vlan command specifies the VLANs that may be added when a VM is added or moved. By default, all VLANs are allowed.

The no autovlan disable command enables the creation and deletion of VLANs caused by VM activity. This is the default setting.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

autovlan disable

no autovlan disable

default autovlan disable

Related Commands

vmtracer session places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Example

This command disables dynamic VLAN creation or pruning within the configuration mode VM Tracer session. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# autovlan disable
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

password

The password command specifies the token that authorizes the username to the vCenter associated with the VM Tracer mode session.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

password [ENCRYPTION] [password]

Parameters
  • ENCRYPTION - Encryption level of the password.
    • no parameter - The password in a clear-text string.
    • 0 - The password in a clear-text string. Equivalent to no parameter.
    • 7 the password is an encrypted string.
  • password - Text that authenticates the username.
    • password is a clear-text string if ENCRYPTION specifies clear text.
    • password is an encrypted string if ENCRYPTION specifies an encrypted string.

Related Commands

vmtracer session places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Example

This command configures abode as the clear-text string that authorizes the username a-switch_01 located at example.com/sdk. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# url https://example.com/sdk
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# username a-switch_01
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# password abcde
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

password (vmtracer-VXLAN mode)

The password command specifies the token that authorizes the username on the NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V) server located at the URL configured for the configuration mode VM Tracer. The switch uses this account to access NSX-V information.

The password statement is replaced in running-config for the configuration mode interface by a subsequent password command. The statement is removed by deleting the NSX-V instance through a no vxlan (vmtracer mode) command in vmtracer configuration mode.

Command Mode

Vmtracer-VXLAN Configuration

Command Syntax

password [ENCRYPTION] password

Parameters
  • ENCRYPTION     encryption level of the password.
    • no parameterpassword is a clear-text string.
    • 0 theis a clear-text string. Equivalent to no parameter.
    • 7 the password is an encrypted string.
  • password     text that autorizes the username.
    • password is a clear-text string if ENCRYPTION specifies clear text.
    • password is an encrypted string if ENCRYPTION specifies an encrypted string.

Related Commands

vxlan (vmtracer mode) places the switch in the vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode.

Example

  • This command configures 5678 as the clear-text string that authorizes the username admin to the NSX-V located at https://example.com/sdk. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session vnet-1
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# vxlan
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# url https://example.com/sdk
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# username admin
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# password 5678
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# exit
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# show active
vmtracer session vnet-1
   allowed-vlan 1-4094
   vxlan
      url https://example.com/sdk
      username admin
      password 7 s2Xq4GSBlYU=
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)#

show vmtracer all

The show vmtracer all command displays VM Tracer data for all switches with the vSphere scope.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer all

Example

This command displays data for both switches in the vSphere scope. 
switch> show vmtracer all
Switch : a109(10.10.30.109)
Ethernet49     : 10.102.28.3/10G
   VM Name             VM Adapter          VLAN      Status    State
   ABCD                Network adapter 2   native    Up/--     --

Switch : a164(10.10.30.(172.22.30.164)
Ethernet49     : 10.102.28.3/10G Storage Network/dvUplink1
   VM Name             VM Adapter          VLAN      Status    State
   WXYZ                Network adapter 2   native    Up/--     --
switch>

show vmtracer interface

The show vmtracer interface command displays the VM interfaces (Vnics) active on the VM Tracer enabled interface. For each Vnic, the command displays the name of the attached VM, the adapter name, its VLAN, the VM power state, and the presence status of its MAC address in the switch MAC table.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer interface [INT_NAME] [INFO_LEVEL]

Parameters
  • INT_NAME     the interfaces to be configured. Values include:
    • no parameter     command returns information for all interfaces.
    • ethernet e_range      Ethernet interface range.
    • port-channel p_range      Port Channel interface range.

      Valid e_range and p_range formats include number, number range, or comma-delimited list of numbers and ranges.

  • INFO_LEVEL     specifies information that the command returns.
    • no parameter     connection parameters and status for VM associated to specified sessions.
    • detail      connection status and data concerning messages the VM.
    • host     name of the connected host.
Examples
  • This command displays the Vnics connected to all VM Tracer enabled interfaces. 
    switch > show vmtracer interface

Ethernet8 : example.com
    VM Name                     VM Adapter          VLAN     Status
    esx3.aristanetworks.com     vmk0                0        Up/Down
    vspheremanagement           Network adapter 1   0        Up/Down

Ethernet15 : example.com
    VM Name                     VM Adapter          VLAN      Status
    Openview                    Network adapter 1   123       Up/Down
    VmTracerVm                  Network adapter 1   123       Down/Down

Ethernet23 : example.com
    VM Name                     VM Adapter          VLAN       Status
switch>
  • This command displays the Vnics connected to the interface Ethernet8. 
    switch> show vmtracer interface Ethernet8

Ethernet8 : example.com
    VM Name                     VM Adapter          VLAN      Status
    example.com                 vmk0                0         Up/Down
    vspheremanagement           Network adapter 1   0         Up/Down
switch>

show vmtracer session

The show vmtracer session command displays vCenter and vShield connection information for a specified VM Tracer session.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer session [SESSION_LIST]

Parameters

SESSION_LIST     VM Tracer sessions for which the command returns information.
  • no parameter     all configured VM Tracer sessions.
  • session_name     name of one VM Tracer session.

Example

This command displays connection parameters associated to the abcde session. 
switch> show vmtracer session abcde
Session abcde
vCenter URL       https://example.com/sdk 
username                        Administrator 
autovlan                        enabled 
allowed-vlans     1-4094 
sessionState      Connected 
VShield URL       https:/vmware-vshield5.1.xyz.abcde.com 
username                    admin 
sessionState      Connected

switch>

show vmtracer session vcenter

The show vmtracer session vcenter command displays vCenter information for a specified VM Tracer session.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer session session_name vcenter [INFO_LEVEL]

Parameters
  • session_name     VM Tracer sessions for which the command returns information.
  • INFO_LEVEL     specifies information that the command returns.
    • no parameter      displays connection and status information for the specified vCenter.
    • detail      displays connection, status, and history information for the specified vCenter.
Examples
  • This command displays connection parameters for the vCenter associated to the abcde session. 
    switch> show vmtracer session abcde vcenter

Session           abcde
vCenter URL       https://vmware-vcenter5.1/sdk
username          Administrator
autovlan          enabled
allowed-vlans     1-4094
sessionState      Connected
switch>
  • This command displays connection parameters and history details from the vCenter associated to the abcde session. 
    switch> show vmtracer session abcde vcenter detail

Session                        abcde
vCenter URL                    https://vmware-vcenter5.1/sdk
username                       Administrator
autovlan                       enabled
allowed-vlans                  1-4094
SessionState                   Connected
lastStateChange                2:46:50 ago
lastMsgSent                    Query network hint message
timeOfLastMsg                  0:00:20 ago
responseTimeForLastMsg         0.000102301000479
numSuccessfulMsg               998
lastSuccessfulMsg              Query network hint message
lastSuccessfulMsgTime          0:00:20 ago
numFailedMsg                   0 
lastFailedMsg                  -- 
lastFailedMsgTime              never
lastErrorCode                  --
switch>

show vmtracer session vsm

The show vmtracer session vsm command displays NSX-V information for a specified VM Tracer session.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer session session_name vsm [INFO_LEVEL]

Parameters
  • session_name     VM Tracer sessions for which the command returns information.
  • INFO_LEVEL     specifies information that the command returns.
    • no parameter      connection and status information for the specified NSX-V.
    • detail      connection, status, and history information for the specified NSX-V.
Examples
  • This command displays connection parameters for the NSX-V associated to the abcde session. 
    switch> show vmtracer session abcde vsm

Session           abcde
VShield URL       https://example.com/sdk
username          admin
sessionState      Connected
switch>
  • This command displays connection parameters and history details from the vShield Manager associated to the abcde session. 
    switch> show vmtracer session abcde vsm detail

Session                        abcde
VShield URL                    https://vmware-vshield5.1/
username                       admin
SessionState                   Connected
LaststateChange                19 days, 23:14:19 ago
LastMsgSent                    /api/2.0/vdn/scopes
timeOfLastMsg                  1 days, 13:22:09 ago
responseTimeForLastMsg         0.3 sec
numSuccessfulMsg               3649
lastSuccessfulMsg              /api/2.0/vdn/scopes
lastSuccessfulMsgTime          0:00:00 ago
numFailedMsg                   1
lastFailedMsg                  /api/2.0/vdn/config/segments
lastFailedMsgTime              10 days, 1:15:29 ago
lastErrorCode                  CURLE_COULDNT_RESOLVE_HOST - Couldn't resolve host
                               The given remote host was not resolved.
switch>

show vmtracer vm

The show vmtracer vm command displays VMs interfaces (Vnics) accessible to VM Tracer enabled interfaces. For each active VM, the command displays the name of the VM, its adapter, and the hypervisor to which it connects.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer [INT_NAME] vm [VM_LIST]

Parameters
  • INT_NAME     the interfaces name Values include:
    • no parameter     command returns information for all interfaces.
    • interface ethernet e_range      Ethernet interface range.
    • interface port-channel p_range      Port Channel interface range.

      Valid e_range and p_range formats include a number, number range, or comma-delimited list of numbers and ranges.

  • VM_LIST     The virtual machines for which the command displays information. Options include:
    • no parameter    command returns information for all present VMs.
    • vm_name     command returns information only for specified VM.

Related Commands

The show vmtracer vm detail command displays connection information for one or more specified VMs.

Example

This command displays the VMs connected to all VM Tracer enabled interfaces. 
switch> show vmtracer vm
VM Name             Esx Host          Interface  VLAN     Status

vCenter1            172.22.28.8       Po45       native   Down/Down
vCenter2            172.22.28.8       Po45       native   Up/Up
vCenter3            172.22.28.8       Po45       11       Down/Down
vCenter4            172.22.28.8       Po45       native   Down/Down
VMKernel                              Po43       native   Up/Up
demo vcenter 5 clone                  Po43       native   Up/Up
switch>

show vmtracer vm detail

The show vmtracer vm detail command displays connection data for VMs interfaces (Vnics) accessible to VM Tracer enabled interfaces.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer vm [VM_LIST] detail

Parameters

VM_LIST     The virtual machines for which the command displays information. Options include:
  • no parameter     command returns information for all present VMs.
  • vm_name     command returns information only for specified VM.
Examples
  • This command displays connection data for the VMs connected to all VM Tracer enabled interfaces. 
    switch# show vmtracer vm vmcenter1
VM Name  vCenter1 Server App
  Interface   :     Po45
  vNIC        :     Network adapter 1
  MAC         :     00:31:22:8e:b8:41
  Portgroup   :     VM Network
  VLAN        :     native
  Switch      :     Switch2
  Status      :     Down/Down
  Host        :     10.22.18.28
  Data Center :     vcenter-5
switch>
  • This command displays connection data for the VMs connected to all VM Tracer enabled interfaces. 
    switch> show vmtracer vm detail
VM Name  vCenter1 Server App
  Interface   :     Po45
  vNIC        :     Network adapter 1
  MAC         :     00:31:22:8e:b8:41
  Portgroup   :     VM Network
  VLAN        :     native
  Switch      :     Switch2
  Status      :     Down/Down
  Host        :     10.22.18.28
  Data Center :     vcenter-5

VM Name  vCenter2 Server App
  Interface   :     Po45
  vNIC        :     vmk0
  MAC         :     00:33:23:3c:e1:4e
  Portgroup   :     Management Network
  VLAN        :     native

switch>

show vmtracer vnic counters

The show vmtracer interface vnic counters command displays input and output packet counts for VM interfaces (Vnics) active on the specified interface or VM.

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer [ENTITY] vnic counters

Parameters

ENTITY     the virtual machine or interface over which statistics are gathered and displayed.
  • no parameter     command returns information for all active VMs.
  • interface ethernet e_range      Ethernet interface range.
  • interface port-channel p_range      Port Channel interface range.
  • vm vm_name     command returns information for specified VM.

    Valid e_range and p_range formats include a number, number range, or comma-delimited list of numbers and ranges.

Example

This command displays the Vnics connected to interface ethernet 24. 
switch> show vmtracer interface ethernet 24 vnic counters
Physical Intf: Ethernet24
Host: 10.17.28.8/site1/dvUplink1
VM Name        vNic                  Input Pkt/Byte/%         Output Pkt/Byte/%
vCenter1       Network adapter 2     2550/   187175/  0.6     6/        360/  0.0
vCenter2       Network adapter 2     418615/ 30678024/ 99.4   1904439/ 1145654613/100.0
Summary                              421165/ 30865199/100.0   1904445/ 1145654973/100.0
switch>

show vmtracer vxlan segment

The show vmtracer vxlan segment command displays information about the VXLAN segments that are managed by the connected NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V).

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer segment ENTITY

Parameters

ENTITY     specifies the information that the command displays. Options include:
  • no parameter    displays information for VXLAN segments.
  • pool     displays resource pools available to segments.
  • pool pool_name      displays connection information about the specified pool.
  • range      displays the VNI range of the managed segments.
Examples
  • This command displays the VXLAN segments managed by the NSX-V. 
    switch> show vmtracer vxlan segment
Name                 VNI     Multicast IP     Network Scope 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Eng Wire             5002    237.0.0.1        abcde
HR Wire              5000    237.0.0.2        abcde

switch>
  • This command displays the resource pools available to the VXLANs. 
    switch> show vmtracer vxlan segment pool
Name                  Description                     Segments 
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
abcde                 Spans Cluster 1 and Cluster 2   Eng Wire, HR Wire 

switch>
  • This command displays connection and packet information for the abcde pool. 
    switch> show vmtracer vxlan segment pool abcde
Name:          abcde
Description:   Spans Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 
Segments:      Eng Wire, HR Wire 

VXLAN Segment  Cluster   Host                 VTEP IP           DVS       VLAN  MTU
Eng Wire       Cluster2  test2.example.com    10.168.200.1/24  dvs-test2  200   1600
Eng Wire       Cluster1  test2.example.com    10.168.100.1/24  dvs-test1  100   1600
HR Wire        Cluster1  test2.example.com    10.168.100.1/24  dvs-test1  100   1600
HR Wire        Cluster2  test2.example.com    10.168.200.1/24  dvs-test2  200   1600
switch>
  • This command displays the VNI range of the VXLAN segments. 
    switch> show vmtracer vxlan segment range

VNI Range            Multicast IP Range
--------------------------------------------
5000 - 5024          237.0.0.1 - 237.0.0.117 

Name                 VNI     Multicast IP     Network Scope
----------------------------------------------------------- 
HR Wire              5002    237.0.0.1        abcde

Eng Wire             5000    237.0.0.2        abcde
switch>

show vmtracer vxlan vm

The show vmtracer vxlan vm command displays the VXLAN segments, their VTEP IP numbers, and their VM endpoints that are managed by the connected NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V).

Command Mode

EXEC

Command Syntax

show vmtracer vxlan vm

Example

This command displays the VM endpoints of the VXLAN segments managed by the NSX-V. 
switch> show vmtracer vxlan vm
VXLAN Segment       VTEP IP            VLAN  VMs
Eng Wire            192.168.200.1/24   200   Eng VM3, Eng VM2
Eng Wire            192.168.100.1/24   100   Eng VM1
HR Wire             192.168.100.1/24   100   HR VM2, HR VM1
HR Wire             192.168.200.1/24   200   --
switch>

source-interface

The source-interface command allows you to connect to a remote vCenter endpoint by using the primary address of the interface as the source IP address. If the interface is not specified, the source IP address is determined by the routing table.

The no source-interface and default source-interface commands restore default behavior by removing the source-interface command from the running-config.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

source-interface [INTERFACE_NAME]

no source-interface

default source-interface

Parameters

INTERFACE_NAME     specifies the interface for which the information is displayed. Options include:
  • Ethernet e_num     specifies the Ethernet interface number.
  • Loopback l_num     specifies the loopback interface number. Value ranges from 0 to 2100.
  • Management m_num     specifies the management interface number. The values are 1 or 2.
  • Port-Channel {lag_num | lag_num.sub_num}     specifies the port-channel interface number. Value of interface ranges from 1 to 2000. Value of sub-interface ranges from 1 to 4094.
  • Tunnel tunnel_num     specifies the tunnel interface number. Value ranges from 1 to 255.
  • UnconnectedEthernet port_num     specifies the unconnected Ethernet port number. Value ranges from 1 to 8.
  • VLAN vlan_num     specifies the VLAN interface number. Value ranges from 1 to 4094.

Related Commands

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Examples
  • This command configures VM Tracer to use interface Ethernet 17 to derive the source address for session packets. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface Ethernet 17
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures interface Loopback 0 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface Loopback 0
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures interface management 1 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface management 1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures port-channel 10 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface port-channel 10
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures interface tunnel 25 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface tunnel 25
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures unconnected interface Ethernet 1 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface unconnected Ethernet 1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#
  • This command configures interface vlan 25 for VM Tracer session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# source-interface vlan 25
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#

url (vmtracer mode)

The url command specifies the vCenter server location that is monitored by the session being edited by the current vmtracer mode. The command must reference a fully formed secure url.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

url url_name

Parameter

url_name     location of the vCenter server. Valid formats include IP address (dotted decimal notation) and fully qualified domain name.

Related Commands

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Example

This command specifies the location of the vCenter monitored by the system_1 VM Tracer session. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# url https://example.com/sdk
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

url

The url command specifies the NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V) server location monitored for VXLAN information by the configuration mode VM Tracer session. The command must reference a fully formed secure URL.

The url statement is replaced in running-config for the configuration mode session by a subsequent url command. The statement is removed by deleting the NSX-V instance through a no vxlan (vmtracer mode) command in vmtracer configuration mode.

Command Mode

Vmtracer-VXLAN Configuration

Command Syntax

url url_name

Parameters

url_name     location of the NSX-V server. Valid formats include IP address (dotted decimal notation) and fully qualified domain name.

Related Commands

The vxlan (vmtracer mode) command places the switch in the vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode.

Example

This command configures the location of the NSX-V monitored by the vnet-1 VM Tracer session. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session vnet-1
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# vxlan
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# url https://example.com/sdk
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# exit
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# show active
vmtracer session vnet-1
   allowed-vlan 1-4094
   vxlan
      url https://example.com/sdk
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)#

username

The username command identifies the switch account name on the vCenter server. The switch uses this user name to access vCenter information.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

username name_string

Parameters

name_string     vCenter account user name. Parameter must match the user name configured on the vCenter.

Related Commands

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Example

This command configures the user name for the vCenter associated with the system_1 session. The session uses this user name to log into the vCenter server. 
switch(vmtracer-system_1)# username a-switch_01
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#

username (vmtracer-vxlan mode)

The username command identifies the switch’s account name on the NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V) server located at the URL configured for the configuration mode VM Tracer. The switch uses this user name to access NSX-V information.

The username statement is replaced in running-config for the configuration mode interface by a subsequent username command. The statement is removed by deleting the NSX-V instance through a no vxlan (vmtracer mode) command in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Command Mode

Vmtracer-VXLAN Configuration

Command Syntax

username name_string

Parameters

name_string     NSX-V account user name. Parameter must match a user name configured on the NSX-V.

Related Commands

The vxlan (vmtracer mode) command places the switch in the vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode.

Example

This command configures the user name of admin for the NSX-V located at the URL specified by the URL command. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session vnet-1
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# vxlan
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# url https://example.com/sdk
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# username admin
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)# exit
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# show active
vmtracer session vnet-1
   allowed-vlan 1-4094
   vxlan
      url https://example.com/sdk
      username admin
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)#

vmtracer

The vmtracer command enables vmtracer mode on the configuration mode interface. interfaces with vmtracer mode enabled send discovery packets to the connected vSwitch.

The no vmtracer and default vmtracer commands disable vmtracer mode on the configuration mode interface by removing the corresponding vmtracer command from running-config.

Command Mode

Interface-Ethernet Configuration Interface-Port-channel Configuration

Command Syntax

vmtracer HOST_TYPE

no vmtracer HOST_TYPE

default vmtracer HOST_TYPE

Parameters

HOST_TYPE - the type of hypervisor that controls the vSwitch to which the interface connects.
  • vmware-esx - ESX or ESXI hypervisor (VMware).
Examples
  • These commands enable the vmtracer mode on the interface Ethernet 3. 
    switch(config)# interface Ethernet 3
switch(config-if-Et3)# vmtracer vmware-esx 
switch(config-if-Et3)#
  • This command disables the vmtracer mode on the interface Ethernet 3. 
    switch(config-if-Et3)# no vmtracer vmware-esx 
switch(config-if-Et3)#

vmtracer session

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer mode for the specified session. The command creates a new session or loads an existing session for editing.

A VM Tracer session connects the switch to a vCenter server at a specified location, then downloads data about VMs and vSwitches managed by ESX hosts connected to switch ports. The switch supports a maximum of four VM Tracer sessions.

Configure VM Tracer session parameters in the vmtracer mode. Parameters configured in the vmtracer mode include the vCenter location and dynamic VLAN usage.

The no vmtracer session and default vmtracer session commands disable the session and remove the configuration from running-config.

Command Mode

Global Configuration

Command Syntax

vmtracer session name

no vmtracer session name

default vmtracer session name

Parameters

name     The label assigned to the VM Tracer session.

Examples
  • This command enters vmtracer mode for the system_1 session. 
    switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(vmtracer-system_1)#
  • This command disables the system_1 VM Tracer session. The system_1 session and removes all of the parameters from running-config. 
    switch(config)#no vmtracer session system_1 
switch(config)#

vrf

The vrf command allows the switch to communicate with a vCenter server by enabling VmTracer configuration mode. By default, VmTracer is enabled only in the default vrf command.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

vrf vrf_name

Parameters

vrf_name     specifies information of the corresponding VRF.

Example

These commands place the VRF vrf1 in the vmtracer configuration mode. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session system_1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)# vrf vrf1
switch(config-vmtracer-session-system_1)#

vxlan

The vxlan command places the switch in the vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode. To monitor VXLAN based VMware configurations, the switch must communicate with a NSX for vSphere® (NSX-V). The vmtracer-vxlan configuration mode specifies the location and user account data that allows the switch to access a NSX-V within the configuration mode vmtracer session. Each VM Tracer session can be associated with one NSX-V instance.

The no vxlan and default interface vxlan commands delete the NSX-V instance from the configuration mode vmtracer session by removing all of the vmtracer-vxlan mode commands from running-config.

Command Mode

Vmtracer Configuration

Command Syntax

vxlan

no vxlan

default vxlan

Related Commands

The vmtracer session command places the switch in the vmtracer configuration mode.

Example

These commands create the vShield instance for the VMTracer session named vnet-1. 
switch(config)# vmtracer session vnet-1
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1)# vxlan
switch(config-vmtracer-vnet-1-vxlan)#