|   | 1 | = The virtual switch =  | 
          
          
            |   | 2 | Not to be mistaken for [wiki:Documentation/OpenFlow/VartualSwitch vartual switches], virtual switches, or !OpenFlow switches, are a example of the virtualization capabilities of !OpenFlow. They are similar to VLANs in both configuration and behavior but are dictated by !OpenFlow controllers and flow tables.  | 
          
          
            |   | 3 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 4 | Several virtual switches may exist on a single physical device, or a single virtual switch may encompass a whole switch. In the latter case the switch will just be referred to as an !OpenFlow switch.  | 
          
          
            |   | 5 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 6 | Each virtual switch may be assigned a controller and a set of flow tables, and are associated with their !OpenFlow VLANs.  | 
          
          
            |   | 7 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 8 | == Overview == | 
          
          
            |   | 9 | This article covers the following topics: | 
          
          
            |   | 10 |  * CLI commands used in virtual switching | 
          
          
            |   | 11 |  * Virtual switch setup | 
          
          
            |   | 12 |     | 
          
          
            |   | 13 | == CLI Commands == | 
          
          
            |   | 14 | The commands regarding virtual switching will not be found among the usual list of commands when you type `?` at the terminal.  | 
          
          
            |   | 15 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 16 | This is the list of commands used in virtual switching that is accessible from the CLI: | 
          
          
            |   | 17 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 18 |  * ''' setvsi ''' -  Creates an instance of virtual switch. Comes with parameters.  | 
          
          
            |   | 19 |  * ''' deletevsi <vlan ID> ''' - Deletes an instance of virtual switch.   | 
          
          
            |   | 20 |  * ''' showswitch <vlan ID> <detail> ''' - Gives you a list of virtual switches running on your switch. | 
          
          
            |   | 21 |  * ''' showflow <vlan ID> <detail> ''' - Gives you information about the flow tables applied to the virtual switches.  | 
          
          
            |   | 22 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 23 | == Setup == | 
          
          
            |   | 24 | The following list can be followed as a guideline for setting up virtual switches.  | 
          
          
            |   | 25 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 26 |  1. Disable spanning tree protocol | 
          
          
            |   | 27 |  1. Create VLANs  | 
          
          
            |   | 28 |  1. Assign ports to VLANs | 
          
          
            |   | 29 |  1. Use `setvsi` to create virtual switches from the ports assigned to VLANs | 
          
          
            |   | 30 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 31 | == Example setup == | 
          
          
            |   | 32 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 33 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 34 | VLANs not associated with virtual switches will behave as regular switches.  | 
          
          
            |   | 35 |  | 
          
          
            |   | 36 |   |