nsx-t

Part 2 – Adding Additional NSX‑T Appliances and Configuring the VIP

By Ash Thomas #

With the first NSX‑T Manager deployed, the next step is to build out the cluster by adding the remaining managers and setting up the Virtual IP (VIP) for high availability.

Log in to NSX-T manager and navigate to System >Appliances and click on Add Appliance.

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Enter the IP address (remember, it must be in CIDR format).

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Choose the deployment size that matches your environment.

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Select all these details

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After few moments our appliance will be installed. Follow the same procedure for 3rd (nsx-01c.ash.local) appliance.

Configuring the VIP

Next, Set the VIP (Virtual IP) for the cluster. NSX-T Managers Cluster offer a built-in VIP for high availability. The VIP will be connected automatically to the active NSX Manager and rest two will be on stand by.

Enter the IP add >Save.

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Once the VIP is added, wait for the cluster to report a healthy status with all three appliances up and running.

Verifying Cluster Health

Check the cluster status. It should show stable with all 3 appliances up and running.

Enable SSH in NSX-T Manager

Log in to vCenter Server and open the VM console of the NSX-T Managers one by one

To start the ssh Service in NSX-T Manager, run the below command

set service ssh start-on-boot

We are done with enabling SSH in the NSX-T Manager

Verification by NSX CLI

Use the NSX CLI to confirm the cluster is stable. SSH into the VIP or any manager node and run:

  • get managers → lists all managers in the cluster
  • get cluster config → shows each node as JOINED
  • get cluster status → overall status should be Stable, with all members UP
  • get cluster status verbose → detailed per‑node information
  • get services → lists all running services

SSH to VIP or any NSX-T manager VIP IP and run the command ‘get managers’

‘get cluster config’

All 3 nodes should show up here with the node status as ‘JOINED’

Run get cluster status to query the NSX management cluster status

‘get cluster status’

Overall status: Stable

All 3 members status: UP

‘get cluster status verbose’ to give detailed information on each node.

Run get services to get a report of all services running

To start a service

start service snmp

Verify NSX VIB installed

SSH into the ESXi host and run: esxcli software vib list | grep nsx

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By Ash Thomas

Ash Thomas is a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience as a technical expert, complemented by a keen interest in blockchain technology.

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