Configuring RSPAN with VMware Distributed Switch

Products

• VMware
• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Attempting to mirror traffic from a group of VMs to a specific destination
• VMs might be scattered across a number of hosts

       Note: Promiscuous mode or port mirroring cannot be used as it's host local.

Resolution

Follow steps to configure an RSPAN port mirror to view traffic on the VDS:

1. Click on Networking.
2. Select the VDS and ensure that the Settings tab is selected.
3. Click on Port Mirroring.
4. Click New.
5. In the Add Port Mirroring Session wizard, select Remote Mirroring Destination, and then click Next.
6. Provide a session name, change the Status to Enabled, and then specify the encapsulated VLAN ID. This RSPAN VLAN is configured on the local switch.
7. Click Next.
8. Click the plus icon to add the source VLAN IDs for monitor, and then click Next.
9. Specify the destination ports to monitor and then click Next. This destination port is the uplink port from which should have a remote span port configured on the local switch.
10. Verify the summary information and then click Finish to add the port mirror.