What does ephemeral binding do in vSphere?

In vSphere, ephemeral binding is a feature that specifically creates a network port only when a virtual machine (VM) is powered on and connected to the virtual network. This means that the network resources are allocated dynamically based on the VM's state, helping to optimize resource usage. When the VM is powered off, the associated port does not exist, avoiding unnecessary consumption of network resources.

This approach not only conserves resources but also enhances flexibility in network management, allowing the network infrastructure to adapt to changes in the VM lifecycle. When a VM is powered on, the ephemeral binding automatically provisions the necessary network configuration, ensuring that the VM can connect to the network seamlessly without prior pre-configuration of ports.

In contrast to other binding methods, ephemeral binding does not maintain a permanent connection to the network when the VM is not in use. This mode of operation is particularly beneficial in environments where VMs are frequently being powered on or off, as it reduces the overhead of managing persistent network connections.