Techniques for virtual switch and virtual switch port management for VM availability in a cluster are described. In one example embodiment, a determination is made as to whether a virtual switch port on a first virtual switch associated with a first VM network is available for powering on the VM on a first host computing system. Based on the outcome of the determination either further determination is then made as to whether a virtual switch port on a second virtual switch associated with the first VM network is available to power on the VM on a second host computing system or migration of the VM in a power-off state is initiated to the second host computing system and powered-on on the second host computing system via the virtual switch port on the second virtual switch associated with the first VM network associated.