When promiscuous mode is enabled at the portgroup level, objects defined within that portgroup have the option of receiving all incoming traffic on the vSwitch. Interfaces and virtual machines within the portgroup will be able to see all traffic passing on the vSwitch, but all other portgroups within the same virtual switch do not.
When promiscuous mode is enabled at the virtual switch level, all portgroups within the vSwitch will default to allowing promiscuous mode. However, promiscuous mode can be explicitly disabled at one or more portgroups within the vSwitch, which override the vSwitch-defined default.
- Log into the ESXi/ESX host or vCenter Server using the vSphere Client.
- Select the ESXi/ESX host in the inventory.
- Click the Configuration tab.
- In the Hardware section, click Networking.
- Click Properties of the virtual switch for which you want to enable promiscuous mode.
- Select the virtual switch or portgroup you wish to modify and click Edit.
- Click the Security tab.
- From the Promiscuous Mode dropdown menu, click Accept.