Software Defined Networks (NSX)

Networks that scale with your business.

With NSX, evoila transforms rigid VLAN infrastructures into flexible, software-defined networks—secure, automatable, and fully integrated with VCF.

Request an NSX Assessment Now

Software-defined networking, built for VCF

Traditional network infrastructures are often too inflexible for modern data center requirements: changes take too long, segmentation is too coarse-grained, and automation is virtually impossible. NSX solves this problem through full software-defined capabilities. Network functions are decoupled from the hardware and can be controlled centrally. evoila implements the complete NSX stack as a native component of VCF, from overlay networks and microsegmentation to routing, VPN, and firewall.

The result is a network layer that behaves like software: versionable, automatable, and deployable without touching a single cable. Segments are created via API. Firewall policies follow workloads, not physical boundaries. And because NSX is implemented as a native VCF component, it benefits from the same lifecycle management, automation framework, and operational tooling as the rest of the platform.

Business benefits at a glance:

  • Network changes in minutes, not weeks
  • Granular microsegmentation closes lateral attack surfaces
  • Full API control integrates NSX into IaC workflows
  • Native VCF integration, no bolt-on architecture
  • Migration path available, no greenfield required

The Network as a barrier to innovation

Traditional network infrastructures were built for a different era: static, hardware-dependent, and manually configured. In modern VCF environments, they become a hindrance. Every new application, every new segment, and every security requirement demands manual intervention—resulting in long lead times, a high risk of errors, and virtually no traceability.

At the same time, compliance and security requirements are increasing the pressure: Zero-Trust architectures demand granular segmentation, which cannot be implemented cost-effectively with VLAN-based infrastructure. Anyone still relying on physical network segmentation today is accepting a structurally excessive attack surface.

Added to this is the migration pressure resulting from the Broadcom acquisition: VCF environments without an integrated NSX stack will face operational and licensing disadvantages in the medium to long term. Those who do not strategically plan for NSX now will pay dearly to catch up later.

Every week without microsegmentation widens your attack surface.

VLAN-based networks were not designed for Zero-Trust and the gap between what compliance requires and what your infrastructure delivers is growing.

The Challenge

Why legacy network architecture creates risk in VCF environments

Modern data centre operations demand flexibility, security, and automation from the network layer. VLAN-based infrastructure delivers none of these reliably.

The result is an infrastructure bottleneck that slows application delivery, frustrates compliance teams, and leaves security posture dependent on perimeter controls that no longer hold.

Changes trapped in hardware

Every network change requires a physical intervention. Lead times that should be minutes stretch to weeks, and every manual step is a potential error with no automatic audit trail.

Flat segmentation, wide attack surface

Without microsegmentation, workloads share network space they should never see. A single compromised system can move laterally across the data centre with nothing structural to stop

Configuration with no audit trail

Network configuration is handled manually, step by step, with no automatic record of what changed or why. Errors accumulate silently, and traceability becomes a compliance problem in its own right.

Compliance requirements outpace capability

Zero-Trust and regulatory frameworks demand workload-level isolation. VLAN segmentation cannot deliver this without hardware investment that scales poorly and audits even worse.

VCF integration without NSX is incomplete

Network automation, lifecycle management, and VCF Automation workflows all assume NSX as the underlying network platform. Running VCF without NSX means accepting permanent gaps in what the platform can do.

The good news: No rip-and-replace required

NSX runs as an overlay on your existing physical infrastructure. evoila designs migration paths that keep current operations running while the software-defined layer is built around them, phased, controlled, and without forced downtime.

Our Solution

NSX as a Strategic Network Platform

No Need for a Greenfield Approach – Structured Migration Possible

evoila takes a pragmatic approach to implementing NSX: Existing network infrastructures do not need to be replaced overnight. We analyse the current architecture, identify the optimal entry point, and develop a migration path that does not disrupt ongoing operations.

Network Architecture & Design

evoila develops the target architecture based on specific requirements, including overlay design, segmentation concepts, routing topology, and firewall policy frameworks, before a single configuration is rolled out.

Overlay Networks and L2/L3 Routing

NSX overlay networks run over Geneve tunnels on the existing physical underlay, independent of physical topology. L2 and L3 routing is implemented in software, fully portable, and natively integrated into VCF.

Microsegmentation and Distributed Firewall

The NSX Distributed Firewall enforces security policy directly at the hypervisor, without additional appliances. evoila designs a structured policy framework with a tagging strategy built to remain maintainable as the environment scales.

VPN and NAT

NSX-based VPN connections and NAT rules are configured for secure site connectivity and controlled traffic flows, managed centrally via NSX Manager without touching the physical network layer.

Network Automation

NSX network configuration is integrated into VCF Automation so that segments, firewall policies, and routing are provisioned as Infrastructure-as-Code. Manual steps are removed from the provisioning chain.

Tech-Deep-Dive

The architecture behind IT

NSX as a Network Operating System for VCF

NSX completely decouples network functions from the physical hardware. The core architecture is based on an overlay model: logical networks are transported over Geneve tunnels on the physical underlay infrastructure, regardless of its topology. This enables full portability of workloads without requiring network changes at the physical level.

Control Plane & Management Plane

The NSX Manager forms the central management and control plane. It manages all logical network objects—segments, routers, firewall policies, and load balancers—and provides a complete REST API. evoila configures the NSX Manager as a high-availability cluster deployment, integrated into the VCF management framework and controllable via VCF Automation.

Distributed Firewall: Security at the Workload

The NSX Distributed Firewall is one of the strongest differentiators compared to traditional perimeter architectures. Firewall rules are not enforced centrally on an appliance, but directly at the hypervisor—close to the workload and with minimal latency overhead. evoila develops a structured policy framework with a tagging strategy that remains scalable and maintainable, even as the environment grows in complexity..

Tier-0 / Tier-1 Routing-Topology

NSX implements a two-tier routing model: Tier-0 routers handle north-south routing and BGP peering with the physical network infrastructure. Tier-1 routers aggregate east-west traffic within logical segments. evoila scales and configures this topology based on specific requirements to ensure maximum performance and reliability.

API-first: NSX as an automation object

All NSX objects are fully controllable via REST API. In combination with VCF Automation and the Orchestrator, complex network provisioning workflows can be implemented—from automatic segment creation to dynamic firewall policy adjustment based on workload tags.

Technical Advantages

What NSX delivers that traditional network architecture cannot

Hardware independence

Logical networks operate independently of the physical underlay topology

Granular microsegmentation

The distributed firewall enforces security policies directly at the hypervisor, without additional appliances

Full API controllability

All NSX objects can be automated via REST API and integrated into IaC workflows

Scalable routing architecture

Tier-0/Tier-1 model enables clear separation of north-south and east-west traffic

Centralised policy management

Firewall rules, segments, and routing are uniformly controlled via NSX Manager

Native VCF integration

NSX is deeply integrated into the VCF management framework and benefits from its lifecycle management

Your partner of choice

Deep NSX expertise, delivered as part of the VCF platform

evoila covers the complete NSX stack: overlay design, distributed firewall, microsegmentation, VPN, NAT, and network automation. As a Broadcom Pinnacle Partner, evoila has implemented NSX in production environments ranging from single-site mid-market deployments to complex multi-site architectures.

The approach is always integrated. Network architecture, security strategy, and automation framework are designed together, because an NSX deployment that is not aligned to the broader VCF platform creates the same fragmentation it was meant to solve. For organisations with existing VLAN infrastructure, evoila brings structured migration expertise: coexistence scenarios, phased transition planning, and proven patterns for moving to NSX without operational disruption.

Full-stack NSX coverage

From overlay design to distributed firewall, VPN, NAT, and automation integration. No handover between networking and security specialists.

Broadcom Pinnacle Partner

evoila is among the leading Broadcom partners in Europe. NSX implementations are backed by direct vendor access and certified expertise.

Migration without disruption

evoila develops coexistence scenarios and phased migration paths. Existing infrastructure stays in service throughout the transition.

VCF-native perspective

NSX is never implemented in isolation. Network architecture, security policy, and automation are designed together as a single VCF platform layer.

Partnerships

Technologies & Partner

Broadcom | VMware NSX

Software-defined networking platform for overlay networks, L2/L3 routing, distributed firewall, microsegmentation, VPN, and NAT. Native component of VMware Cloud Foundation.

Introductory Offer

NSX Architecture Assessment

A structured approach to software-defined networking begins with a clear understanding of the existing infrastructure. In the evoila NSX Architecture Assessment, we analyse:

Existing network architecture and migration potential

Security requirements and segmentation needs

Automation potential in the network area

Integration points into the existing VCF environment

The result is a concrete target architecture concept with a prioritised implementation plan.

Networks that don’t scale with the infrastructure become a strategic liability

NSX transforms networks into an agile, secure, and automatable asset. evoila makes it possible.

Request an NSX Assessment Now

Your NSX migration starts with one conversation

We scope NSX engagements from assessment to production, with migration paths that protect what you already have.

FAQs

Commonly asked questions about Software Defined Networks (NSX)