The Fabric workspace in VMM enables you to create and configure logical networks. To manage a logical network, you right-click and select Properties. In the logical network’s Properties sheet, you can change the Name and Network Site properties. Figure 1-26 shows the Network Site pane of the logical network Properties sheet.
FIGURE 1-26 The Network Site pane of the logical network Properties sheet.
The Network Site pane is where you can associate VLANs and subnets with host groups. A typical scenario is to create logical networks for traffic isolation. For example, you might create logical networks to mirror those in the physical network such as a network outside the firewall, in the main core of the data center, or a network for management and backups to assist in management and separation of virtual machines.
-------------------
NOTE: NETWORK SITES
You’ll sometimes see a logical network referred to as a network site.
--------------------
The scenario depicted in Figure 1-26 associates a VLAN and IP subnet with the logical network, although this is required only if you have static IP pools to be managed by VMM. If DHCP is in use, you don’t have to associate any VLANs or IP subnets, but you can still define a VLAN (if applicable) while using DHCP.
Defining static IP pools
You can configure static IP pools in the Create Static IP Address Pool Wizard. Within the wizard you configure the network site, including its subnet and VLAN, default gateway, DNS servers, WINS servers, and other reserved IP settings. Figure 1-27 shows the Create Static IP Address Pool Wizard.
FIGURE 1-27 The Create Static IP Address Pool Wizard in VMM.
