Considerations when deploying Cisco’s Nexus 1000v in HA and orphaned DVS

As stated in my previous posts when deploying the Nexus 1000v (http://terenceluk.blogspot.com/2010/11/installing-cisco-nexus-1000v-404sv13b.html) please remember to not run the wizard for the installation on the 2nd node as going through the wizard to configure the VSM will create a DVS in your vCenter and even though your intention may be to then configure the 2nd VSM as standby, once you proceed in doing so, you’ll orphan the Nexus 1000v the wizard creates for you within vCenter.

The following is a short list of what I did that resulted in an orphaned DVS created by the install of the 2nd Nexus 1000v:

1. Download Nexus 1000v ova.
2. Deploy first VSM via Deploy OVF Template in vCenter.
3. Once the Nexus 1000v VM has been deployed, power up and navigate the management webpage.
4. Launch the configuration wizard and complete the install.
5. Within vCenter, I will now see the first VSM created in the Inventory –> Networking page.
6. Deploy second VSM via Deploy OVF Template in vCenter.
7. Once the Nexus 1000v VM has been deployed, power up and navigate the management webpage.
8. Launch the configuration wizard and complete the install.
9. Within vCenter, I will now see the second VSM created in the Inventory –> Networking page.
10. Shut down second VSM.
11. Log into the first VSM, use CLI to configure the node as primary.
12. Power on second VSM.
13. Log into the first VSM, use CLI to configure the node as standby.

Once the second VSM has been added to the HA configuration, you will now be left with an orphaned DVS within vCenter and removing it isn’t a straight forward process. When I called VMware support, they weren’t able to completely remove the DVS so a call was then place Cisco where the engineer used his knowledge and notes to help remove it. What’s unfortunate is that there isn’t a public KB available so while I have some crude notes of my own, I will not be posting instructions.

My suggestion is to use the following guide: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus1000/sw/4_0/install/software/guide/install_n1000v.pdf with the ISO to deploy the 2nd VSM: