This 3 part tutorial guide will show you how to install the Cisco Nexus 1000v switch. I’m will be using this image for the install – Nexus1000v.4.2.1.SV1.4.zip which can be downloaded from the Cisco website. The lab setup is as follows: 1 x ESX 4.1, 1 x ESXi 4.1, vCenter Server and Domain Controller.
This Cisco Nexus 1000v requires 3 mandatory virtual machine port groups to be setup in vCenter before installing. Control, Packet and Management. These can sit in the same vlan though it is preferred to have them sitting in separate vlans. Check the Nexus 1000v documentation in the Resources section to determine what is best for you. Let’s begin!
1. Unzip the Nexus1000v.4.2.1.SV1.4.zip file. Go into vCenter and click on the file menu – Deploy OVF Template.
2. Browse to the location where you have unzipped the file and double click on the vsm folder, install folder, and select nexus-1000v.4.2.1.SV1.4.ova and click open.
3. The file location appears in the Deploy from field. Click Next.
4. Information is displayed about the OVF Template such as Product information, version number, size on disk etc. Click Next.
5. Click Accept for the End User License Agreement and then click Next.
6. Give the Nexus 1000v Virtual Supervisor Module a name and select the Datacenter where you would like it to be installed. Click Next.
7. As this is the first installation we can select Nexus 1000v Installer. This will also allow us to setup the Nexus switch via the gui. If you want to use CLI to setup the switch you can select Manually Configure Nexus 1000v. click Next.
8. Select your datacenter object again and click Next.
9. Select the datastore to install the Nexus switch to.
10. I will use Thin Provisioning though feel free to select Thick if you wish. Click Next.
11. Under Destination Networks select the Networks that you created earlier for Control, Management and Packet. Click Next.
12. Enter in the Virtual Switch Module Domain ID, Admin password, Management IP Address.
13. Also enter in the Management subnet mask and IP Gateway. Click Next.
14. A summary of all your setting is presented. If you are happy with these settings click Finish.
15. The deployment of the Nexus 1000v is started.
16. The installation is now complete and your Nexus switch is ready for powering on.
