distributed virtual switch

A distributed virtual switch is an abstract representation of multiple hosts defining the same name, network policy and port group.

The representation, which illustrates the concept of a virtual machine (VM) remaining connected to the same network folder as it migrates among multiple hosts, allows basic configuration details to be pushed across a cluster. This helps to eliminate common configuration errors. 

VMware developed the concept of a distributed virtual switch, a virtual switch (vSwitch) that extends its ports and management across all servers in a cluster so the network can be managed from a centralized perspective.