What does "service insertion" mean in NSX-T?

Service insertion in NSX-T refers to the integration of third-party services into the network architecture. This capability allows organizations to extend the functionality of their virtual networks by incorporating various security, monitoring, or performance-enhancement services from external vendors.

The primary goal of service insertion is to provide a seamless way for these third-party solutions to interact with network traffic in a virtualized environment. This integration helps ensure that traffic flows can be monitored and controlled effectively, enhancing overall network security and performance.

Third-party services can include a wide range of solutions such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, load balancers, and more. By using service insertion, organizations can customize their network architecture to meet specific operational requirements and make more efficient use of existing investments in third-party technologies.