A method creates a distributed virtual switch (DVswitch) and distributed virtual ports (DVports) for the DVswitch. The DVswitch binds virtual switches in a collection of hosts together in a software abstraction. Also, the DVports are available for connection by virtual network interface cards (VNICs) of virtual machines in the collection of hosts. A request is received for a connection of a virtual network interface card (VNIC) of a virtual machine for a host in the collection of hosts to a DVport. If the requested DVport is available, the method provides connection information for the requested DVport to the host to allow the host to connect the requested DVport to the VNIC. The DVport stores a runtime state for a virtual port associated with a virtual switch for the host and the virtual switch forwards network frames between the VNIC and a physical network interface card (NIC).