The Linux/Windows systems on the XenVMs communicate with each other or with external systems via software instances which are known as virtual switches (or vSwitches for short). Virtual switches are made available as XenVM devices. A XenVM is connected either when the XenVM is created or at a later point in time by assigning a virtual Network Interface Card to the vSwitch.
Depending on the connection type provided, a distinction is made between two types of vSwitches:
Internal vSwitch
An internal vSwitch enables the XenVMs connected to it to use a communication connection which is protected locally. Internal vSwitches can also be used by the BS2000 Native system and by BS2000 VMs (see "BRGLAN (only SU x86)").
External vSwitch
An external vSwitch uses a LAN interface which permits an external LAN connection. All XenVMs connected to this vSwitch use this connection to communicate with external systems. If more than one unused LAN interface is available, an external vSwitch can also use two LAN interfaces. In this case, the XenVM connection is configured with redundancy (also referred to as "bonding").
The virtual switches and their current assignment to XenVMs are displayed in the SE Manager by selecting Devices -> [ <se server>(SE<model>) -> ] <unit> (SU<x86>) -> XenVM devices on the Virtual switches tab. New virtual switches can be created there and unused switches can be deleted.
Only PCI ports can be used for the external vSwitches.
LAN interfaces (PCI ports) cannot be used more than once (e.g. for multiple virtual switches or for a virtual switch and a ZASLAN).