VMware NSX is a full-stack network and security virtualization platform that enables the virtual cloud network. NSX provides a software-defined process for networking that expands throughout cloud frameworks, data centers, and application structures. Users can join and secure applications within their container and multi-cloud infrastructure and their data center. With robust automated provisioning, the platform offers dynamic flexibility and scalability without compromising on network speed or agility.
The valuable features of VMware NSX include:
- Ease of use and user-friendly interface
- Filtering features that align with business requirements
- Segmentation, particularly micro-segmentation, and extended service between sites
- Overlay network that aligns with any network philosophy
- Ability to extend the on-premise network into the provider space
- Integration with the firewall
- Ability to create policy rules and define security on a per-virtual machine basis
- Excellent security features, such as micro-segmentation and virtual firewalls
- High bandwidth
- Comprehensive and easy-to-use dashboard
- Integration with other applications and vendors
- Load balancing and routing of firewall rules
- Alert features
- Extending Layer-2 scalability on Layer 3
- Single pane of glass for switching, routing, load balancing, IPS, IDS, etc.
- Flexibility to deploy network virtualization on different types of firewalls
- Advanced technology in comparison with other solutions
- Managing security and access control for each VM
- Console that is easy to use and requires minimal effort for daily tasks
- Stability and high availability in connecting servers
- Tight integration with VMware Hypervisor and end-to-end visibility of virtual machines
- Easy setup and management control
- Great management platform, dashboard, and integration with other solutions and third-party platforms
- Control over virtual switches, VLANs, and micro-segmentations
Improvements that can be made to VMware NSX include:
- Simplifying the setup process and providing better support for implementation.
- Implementing a licensing model based on the number of virtual machines (VMs) rather than hypervisors.
- Enhancing pricing and scalability to benefit users.
- Improving workload management, especially in the orchestration layer and across multiple clouds.
- Streamlining the setup for a more efficient experience.
- Increasing integration with other solutions for better compatibility.
- Addressing the skill shortage in the space and providing more technical resources for implementation.
- Enhancing stability and security, including regular updates for malware and ransomware detection.
- Enriching the visual interface and facilitating communication between the public cloud and containers.
- Expanding beyond network capabilities and introducing additional security features.
- Optimizing resource usage and network performance.
- Simplifying the non-enterprise version and introducing VLAN technologies.
- Incorporating more AI for automation purposes.
- Improving integration with other brands and platforms.
- Offering better migration tools for transitioning from older environments.
- Enhancing scalability for different customer requirements.
- Providing more straightforward installation and maintenance processes.
- Increasing compatibility with non-Windows operating systems.
- Enhancing compatibility with open-source products for smoother deployment.
- Clarifying licensing terms for easier understanding.
VMware NSX offers significant benefits in terms of enhancing security and maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture in the virtual environment. The product provides end-to-end visibility and security measures, resulting in a substantial return on investment.
Users have reported positive experiences, stating that they have achieved a good return on investment. However, it should be noted that the solution alone may not yield significant improvements in security, leading to a lower rating for ROI. It is important to give new deployments sufficient time to see a return, typically after one or two years of a mature deployment.
The pricing for VMware NSX varies. The cost can be negotiated with the vendor and is impacted by features, onboarding time, and support needed. Some users are using the free version of the solution. The licensing is described as based on the number of sockets or physical units and renewed every three years.
The primary use case of VMware NSX is as follows:
- Managing Microsoft Enterprise for cloud providers.
- Establishing a connection between two sites using the same IPs.
- Enabling address mechanisms for providing workloads publicly, particularly in regions like India.
- Virtualizing networks for server virtual machines.
- Micro-segmentation, security, and load balancing.
- Securing virtual machines through micro-segmentation.
- Managing workloads inside VMware for clients transitioning to virtual infrastructure.
- Migrating to the public cloud with high availability.
- Providing segmentation and automation for securing workloads.
- Enhancing security at the virtual machine level through network virtualization.
- Creating government clouds and integrating with box integration.
- Providing networking as a service or extending load balancer, VPN, and firewall capabilities.
- Internal networking for migrating workloads to the cloud vCenter.
- Network virtualization alongside Nutanix and for firewall blueprint.
- Rolling virtual environments and private clouds.
- Setting up catalogs and quickly deploying on the cloud.
- Application service deployments and micro-segmentation.
- Software-defined network in a data center.
- On-premise security solution using NSX version 6.4.
- Application migration to containerized solutions.
- Meeting all network needs.
- Load balancing using NSX in VMware vSphere.
- Distributed firewall for segmenting applications and servers based on required ports.
- Micro-segmentation for virtual VMware pools, similar to a firewall.
Users have opened numerous cases and have found that their issues were resolved. Some users have had limited experience with the support but rate it positively. However, there are a few instances where users felt that the support could be improved, particularly in terms of response time and understanding the issues. Some users also mentioned the lack of local support in certain regions.
The initial setup for VMware NSX can vary in complexity. Some users found it easy to deploy, especially if they had an understanding of how networks work. However, others found it difficult due to network complexity and the need for careful planning.
The deployment time also varied, ranging from less than one day to one year, depending on the project scope and requirements. Some users mentioned that deploying NSX required a complete team, while others stated that it was straightforward if the team was already trained.
The scalability of VMware NSX is highly regarded. Users mention that it is a scalable solution that can easily handle scaling in and out. It can be deployed to thousands of devices without any issues.
The solution's scalability depends on the licensing model, and it is comparable to other solutions in terms of scalability. The solution is compatible with a wide range of server brands, making it highly flexible. However, there are a few reviews mentioning that the scalability process can be complex and may require studying the documentation.
The solution of VMware NSX is highly stable and reliable. Customers have not reported any complaints regarding its stability. The solution does not have bugs or glitches, and it does not crash or freeze. However, some users have mentioned the need for a thorough and sturdy design before implementation. VMware has provided patches to address any issues, ensuring stability.
VMware NSX recreates the whole software network model so that users can create and deliver apps quickly and securely. Users can customize security policies and leverage IDS/IPS to block against lateral threats. These security policies can be managed throughout private and public clouds from one pane of glass, no matter where your applications run. By consolidating networking and security tasks into a unified platform, users can save up to one-third of their budget.
VMware NSX Use Cases
VMware NSX brings the operational model of a virtual machine to users’ data center networks and revolutionizes the foundations of network and security operations. There are a number of use cases, including:
Reviews from Real Users
Through a policy-driven approach, VMware NSX provides VMware technologies to assist with network and security visualization in a unified solution. Users particularly like the distributed firewall and the management dashboard.
Kolawole O., a systems engineer at a tech services company, writes, "NSX's stand-out function is the distributed firewall. The firewall system is just top-notch, and I haven't seen another solution like it."
A head of business development and partners management at a comms service provider notes, "I really like the management dashboard, the tailor-made assurance, the telemetry, and the ease of integration with all other solutions of VMware, such as vSphere."
VMware NSX was previously known as VMware Nicira.
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