VMware NSX Trainings

VMware NSX: software-defined network and security

VMware NSX is VMware’s network and security virtualisation platform, integrated into the VMware Cloud Foundation suite since the Broadcom acquisition in November 2023. NSX implements the SDN (Software-Defined Networking) paradigm within the virtualised datacenter: decoupling the logical network from physical hardware, centralised policy programming, automation and deep integration with vSphere and vCenter. NSX allows creating virtual networks (logical switches, logical routers), applying microsegmentation at the VM level, deploying distributed firewalls (DFW – Distributed Firewall) to control east-west flows, and integrating advanced functions (NAT, load balancing, VPN, encryption).

The NSX perimeter covers several use cases: microsegmentation to limit lateral propagation of attacks (Zero Trust model), network automation in a DevOps / Infrastructure as Code approach, multi-tenant for hosters and large enterprises, cloud integration (NSX integrated with VMware Cloud on AWS, Azure VMware Solution, Google Cloud VMware Engine), and network flow governance in complex architectures. NSX declines in several historical editions (NSX Data Center, NSX-T, NSX Advanced Load Balancer / Avi). After the Broadcom acquisition, the offer has been restructured around VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) with NSX as a central component.

ITTA’s position on VMware NSX

ITTA does not currently offer a dedicated VMware NSX course in the EN catalogue. Specific NSX offering is mainly carried by partner Broadcom training centres (VMware NSX 4.x training) and by VMware integrators specialised in virtualised network and security. For profiles interested in VMware and virtualisation, ITTA offers a VMware catalogue structured around vSphere and a complete virtualisation sub-domain.

Our VMware offer fits into the root VMware catalogue, with a main focus on VMware vSphere which is the technical foundation on which NSX relies. For the network security and microsegmentation dimension, the Cisco Security Solutions catalogue and the audit and cybersecurity sub-domain provide a complementary perspective (often multi-vendor in reality). The virtualisation sub-domain regroups all virtualisation courses.

VMware NSX profiles in French-speaking Switzerland

The network engineer moving toward SDN

CCNA/CCNP profile who must integrate NSX into their datacenter perimeter. Requires mastery of SDN, overlay/underlay concepts (VXLAN, Geneve), and vSphere integration. Our Cisco network and VMware vSphere catalogue provides a useful foundation.

The virtualisation engineer taking on virtual network

VMware vSphere profile extending their perimeter toward virtual network and security (microsegmentation, DFW). Mastery of vSphere is key, as well as an IP network foundation. Our VMware vSphere catalogue and the virtualisation sub-domain are suitable.

The Zero Trust security architect

Profile designing a Zero Trust architecture with microsegmentation. NSX is one possible tool alongside Cisco ACI, Cisco Secure Workload (Tetration), Illumio. Our Cisco Security and audit and cybersecurity catalogue provides the conceptual foundation.

The VMware hybrid cloud engineer

Profile steering a hybrid architecture with VMware Cloud on AWS, Azure VMware Solution or Google Cloud VMware Engine. NSX is central for cross-cloud connectivity and security. Our VMware vSphere and AWS Foundation catalogue are useful bases.

Virtualised network and SDN trends in 2026

Several trends shape the SDN and NSX topic in 2026. The VMware acquisition by Broadcom in November 2023 restructured the offer around VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) integrating vSphere, vSAN, NSX and Aria as a single suite. Pricing has also evolved, pushing some customers to evaluate alternatives: Cisco ACI, Nutanix Flow, open source SDN solutions. Microsegmentation settles broadly in Zero Trust architectures, recommended by regulators (FINMA, NIS2, DORA). Multi-cloud architectures call for unified connectivity and security platforms (NSX Multi-Site, Cisco Multicloud, Aviatrix). AI in network security (behavioural analysis, automated detection) progresses beyond traditional rules. Cisco Hypershield (launched in 2024) offers autonomous distributed security that directly competes with NSX on microsegmentation.

VMware NSX FAQ

Does VMware NSX still exist after the Broadcom acquisition?

Yes. NSX is kept by Broadcom and integrated into the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) suite. The offer has been restructured but NSX continues to evolve technically (NSX 4.x). The commercial model has changed toward VCF.

Does ITTA offer an NSX course?

Not currently. For NSX specifically, Broadcom training (VMware partner centres) is better sized. Our pedagogical team can nonetheless study custom in-house requests with external SDN / NSX specialists.

NSX or Cisco ACI: which choice?

NSX is positioned hypervisor-side (software overlay on vSphere), very suited to VMware-first organisations. Cisco ACI is positioned network hardware-side (Nexus 9000, EPG, contracts), very suited to Cisco-first organisations. Both can coexist. The choice is made according to the existing setup, team and multi-cloud strategy. Our Cisco Datacenter catalogue covers the ACI alternative.

Do you need to know vSphere before NSX?

Yes, largely. NSX technically relies on vSphere and vCenter. Mastery of vSphere is very useful to understand the underlying architecture, distributed switches, vCenter management. Our VMware vSphere catalogue provides this foundation.

VMware, virtualisation and network security catalogue at ITTA

For profiles interested in NSX, SDN and virtualised network security, here are the key resources:

• VMware catalogue
• VMware vSphere catalogue
• Cisco Datacenter catalogue (ACI)
• Cisco Security Solutions catalogue
• Virtualisation sub-domain
• Audit and cybersecurity sub-domain

Building an SDN and microsegmentation path at ITTA

For a profile wanting to enter SDN and microsegmentation, a typical path can be: virtualisation foundation and VMware vSphere to understand the hypervisor, Cisco network foundation (CCNA, CCNP Enterprise) for IP network fundamentals, then specialisation at choice: NSX via Broadcom if the employer is VMware-first, or Cisco ACI via our Cisco Datacenter catalogue if the employer is Cisco-first. For the Zero Trust and microsegmentation dimension, add security modules (audit and cybersecurity sub-domain). Our pedagogical advisors help sequence according to profile.

Sessions and support at ITTA

VMware vSphere and Cisco Datacenter / Security Solutions sessions take place in Geneva and Lausanne in person, and in interactive virtual classroom with a live trainer. For organisations seeking SDN and microsegmentation upskilling, we organise custom in-house sessions with content adapted to the technology choice (NSX, Cisco ACI, vendor mix). This modality is particularly suited to banks, hospitals and international organisations steering a Zero Trust project.

Why consult ITTA on network virtualisation

ITTA offers a structured virtualisation and network security catalogue covering VMware vSphere, Cisco Datacenter (ACI), Cisco Security Solutions, as well as a virtualisation and audit and cybersecurity sub-domain. This continuity allows addressing the SDN and microsegmentation topic with a multi-vendor vision, anchored in the reality of hybrid architectures. Our trainers are consultants and integrators active on datacenter projects in French-speaking Switzerland, able to share concrete cases on NSX vs Cisco ACI choices, microsegmentation, Zero Trust and cloud integration. Sessions in Geneva, Lausanne and interactive virtual classroom, in-house and inter-company.

Transverse SDN and network security profiles

Several transverse profiles benefit from exploring the NSX and SDN topic beyond just network architects. The IT security manager integrates NSX (or Cisco ACI) microsegmentation into their global Zero Trust strategy. The DevOps engineer automates NSX policies via REST API and Terraform in an Infrastructure as Code approach. The compliance manager verifies network control application (FINMA, NIS2, DORA, ISO 27001). The datacenter project manager steers network modernisation with a multi-vendor vision (NSX vs ACI vs hybrid solutions). The cyber auditor performs microsegmentation tests to validate lateral propagation limitation. The hybrid cloud architect designs cross-cloud connectivity (NSX Multi-Site, Cisco Multicloud, Aviatrix). Our VMware vSphere, Cisco Datacenter and audit and cybersecurity catalogue provides a relevant foundation for these transverse profiles, in complement to Broadcom NSX-specialised resources.