23rd  March, 2024   

Hybrid Cloud Extension (HCX) Overview with OCVS

Introduction

Hybrid Cloud Extension (HCX) is a powerful solution that enables seamless workload mobility and application migration across different environments. It abstracts the infrastructure boundaries between on-premises data centers and cloud-based environments, allowing organizations to create an application mobility platform.

Let us understand with the example illustrated above.

 There are two management appliances: the HCX manager, which is configured on the OCVS (Oracle Cloud VMware Solution), and the HCX connector, located on-premises. These appliances are specifically set up to establish a site pairing between the OCVS and the on-premises environment. The purpose of this site pairing is to create the necessary connection for managing, authenticating, and orchestrating HCX services across both the source and destination environment 

Specialized HCX Appliances

HCX leverages additional appliances to enhance functionality:

1. HCX Interconnect (IX):

   • Creates an encrypted tunnel between source and target for migration traffic.

   • Ensures secure communication during workload transfers.

2. HCX Network Extension (NE):

   • Extends virtual machine Layer 2 networks in the OCVS site.

   • Retains IP addresses and MAC addresses from on-premises configurations.

   • Enables seamless IP address mobility.

3. HCX WAN Optimization (WO):

   • Optimizes network performance and data deduplication.

   • Improves network bandwidth and accelerates migration traffic.

HCX License Editions and Features

HCX Advanced Edition

• Core Features:

Layer 2 Extension:

• • • Utilizes the Network Extension appliance.

    • Extends Layer 2 networks across sites.

WAN Optimization:

• • • Optimizes network traffic.

    • Particularly useful for legacy VMware vSphere versions.

    • Supports migration to newer VMware vSphere versions in OCVS.

Live and Offline Migration:

• • • HCX Advanced facilitates both live and offline workload migration.

HCX Enterprise Edition

In addition to the features offered by HCX Advanced, the Enterprise edition provides:

Non-vSphere Environment Migration:

1. • Migrates workloads from non-vSphere environments into OCVS.

Large-Scale Bulk Migration:

1. • Efficiently migrates multiple workloads simultaneously.

Mobility Group:

1. • Organizes migration waves based on app functionality and network requirements.

   • Minimizes service disruption.

Mobility-Optimized Networking (MON):

1. • Exclusive to HCX Enterprise Edition.

   • Addresses the “tromboning” issue.

   • Tromboning occurs when migrated workload traffic on the extended network is routed back to the on-premises router gateway.

   • MON ensures symmetric traffic flow within OCVS, using optimal paths.

   • NSX-T tier-1 routers handle automated, optimized routing.

Conclusion

HCX simplifies the complexities of hybrid cloud deployments by bridging the gap between on-premises infrastructure and cloud-based platforms such as OCVS. As organizations increasingly adopt multi-cloud strategies, HCX becomes a valuable tool for achieving seamless workload mobility and efficient application migration.