Cisco NX-OS introduces support for virtual device contexts (VDCs), which allows the switches to be virtualized at the device level. Each configured VDC presents itself as a unique device to connected users within the framework of that physical switch. The VDC runs as a separate logical entity within the switch, maintaining its own unique set of running software processes, having its own configuration, and being managed by a separate administrator.

VDCs in the Cisco NX-OS Software platform extend virtualization support to enable true device virtualization. Virtualization of the physical switch offers a number of operational benefits such as greater fault isolation, leading to improved availability.