Downloading NSX for vSphere

In this recipe, we will download the installation media for NSX for vSphere. The installation media comes in the form of an open virtual application (OVA) that is distributed through the VMware downloads site (https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/downloads).

Getting ready

To download NSX for vSphere, the following prerequisites must be satisfied:

• Valid VMware software entitlements that enable you to download the installation media
• Access to the VMware downloads website
• Access to VMware software manager. Download and install VMware software manager first (https://www.vmware.com/go/download-software-manager-en)
• VMware product interoperability matrix has been consulted so you know which version is compatible with your environment

Note

Where can I download VMware NSX for vShield endpoint?vSphere Essential Plus and later editions come with vShield endpoint. VMware NSX will appear on the vSphere download site similar to vCNS (vCloud Networking and Security).

How to do it...

The following sections will explain how to check that your infrastructure supports the version of NSX you are implementing and how to obtain the download media.

Checking the Product Interoperability Matrix

In this section, we will check to make sure the version of NSX we are deploying is compatible with the other VMware solutions in our environment.

1. Navigate your web browser to the VMware product interoperability matrix webpage (http://www.vmware.com/go/interop)
2. Select your vSphere solution as the first solution
3. Add VMware NSX for vSphere as your second solution

4. Add any other solutions that are specific to your environment
5. Ensure all solution versions are compatible with one another before proceeding to download the NSX installation media

The following screenshot shows the official VMware product interoperability matrices that should be referenced before downloading NSX for vSphere:

Downloading media via the VMware downloads website

In this section we will download the installation media from the VMware downloads website as follows:

1. From your web browser, navigate to the VMware downloads website (https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/downloads).
2. Scroll down to the Networking & Security menu item and click on Download Product

3. Click on go to Downloads against your licensed tier for VMware NSX for vSphere 6.3.1 or whichever version is compatible with your environment
4. Click on Download Now

Note

Once you have downloaded the NSX for vSphere OVA, it is best practice to verify the file against the checksum listed to ensure that the downloaded file is an identical copy of the source.

Downloading media via the VMware Software Manager

In this section, we will download the VMware NSX installation media using the VMware Software Manager, in contrast to a manual download via the downloads website:

1. Open the VMware Download Service application:

2. Click on the VMware vSphere software suite
3. Select VMware vSphere 6.5
4. Select the licensing tier of your vSphere environment
5. On the VMware NSX for vSphere menu pane, select the download button:

See also

To make sure that your vSphere and NSX version is supported by VMware, check the VMware life cycle product matrix (http://www.vmware.com/go/lifecycle). This list contains a list of unsupported products as well.