VM Migration from NSX to Non-NSX Environment

Products

• VMware NSX
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• This article provides a procedural guide for migrating virtual machine workloads from NSX-managed segments to standard Distributed Virtual Port Groups (DVPGs) on a non-NSX Distributed Switch.
  
  
• Requirement to decommission NSX environment and migration of workloads from NSX overlay/VLAN segments to physical infra-backed networking.

Environment

• VMware NSX
• VMware vSphere

Resolution

To migrate virtual machines from an NSX environment to a non-NSX environment, follow these steps:

1. Configure Target Networking: Create Distributed Virtual Port Groups (DVPGs) on the target Distributed Switch. Ensure VLAN IDs, MTU settings, and security policies match the source NSX segments.
2. Verify Connectivity: Confirm that the physical network is correctly trunked to the ESXi hosts for the new VLANs.
3. Change VM Network Assignment:
   • Edit the VM settings in vCenter.
   • Reassign the Network Adapter from the NSX Segment to the newly created DVPG.
4. Test Connectivity: Perform a ping test from the VM to its default gateway to ensure no loss of communication.
5. Decommission NSX Components: Once all VMs are successfully migrated, delete the unused NSX segments and proceed with host unpreparation.

Additional Information

For host cleanup procedures, see Uninstall NSX from a Managed ESXi Host.