This article describes how to configure a new NetScaler VPX instance on a NetScaler SDX when the default VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) on your network is different than the default VLAN (VLAN1) on the NetScaler appliance.

Background

By default, any VPX instance created through the SDX is configured as the default VLAN 1. In certain environments, the VPX instance is unable to communicate with other network resources if the default VLAN is not changed to match the VLAN allowed on the switch.

Instructions

To modify the default VLAN settings, complete the following procedure:

1. Create a new instance from the SDX GUI.

   

2. Scroll down further and configure license and resource allocation (your numbers may vary).

   

3. As you scroll further, under Network Settings option, and choose the interfaces that you need to assign from the SDX to the VPX instance. NSVLAN and Tagged options unchecked, and no interfaces selected for tagging (these are set at the VPX level)

   Note: If you select an interface that is being used by another instance, you cannot configure an LACP channel.

4. Leave the Allowed VLANS options blank.

   

5. Review the settings and click Done to begin the instance creation.

   In this example, interfaces 10/2 and 10/3 are connected to a switch that requires VLAN 3 or 5. Therefore the instance creation will not appear to complete. The progress status might generate an error on “Booting interface” and at this point, you might need to use the console to the VPX instance.

6. Open a Secure Shell (SSH) console to the SDX SVM IP address using the nsroot credentials.

7. From the SDX SVM console, open an SSH console to the XenServer IP address:

   root@netscaler# ssh root@<IP address>

   

   XenServer console is connected:

   
8. Run the xl list command to get a list of the instances running on the SDX:

   [root@netscaler-sdx-lab]#  xl list

   

9. Open console into the instances that are created earlier to configure the VLAN appropriately for communication. Locate the instance name in the list and locate the ID number associated with the instance. Run the following command to connect to the instance:

   [root@netscaler-sdx-lab]# xl console ID#

   

   Note: There might be a delay in connection. Wait for 30 seconds and then press Enter again to view the login prompt:

   

10. Log on to the VPX instance using the nsroot credentials:

    In this example, the switch requires either VLAN 5 or VLAN 3 for communication. All other VLANs are dropped. Add VLAN 5 to the interfaces for appropriate connectivity. Add VLANs using command line:

    

11. Bind the VLAN to the interface using the following command (assuming interface 10/1 and 10/2 on the VPX are used):

    >bind vlan 5 –ifnum 10/1

    Done

    >bind vlan 5 –ifnum 10/2

    Done

    

12. Enable tagging on the interfaces to complete the process:

    >set interface 10/1 –tagall ON

    Done

    >set interface 10/2 –tagall ON

    Done

    

13. Verify if the VLAN is set correctly by running the following command:

    >sh vlan

    

    The interface 10/1 and 10/2 are removed from the NetScaler VLAN 1 and VLAN 5 is able to communicate with the switch properly.
    
    Save the configuration on the VPX using the command "save config" from CLI.