What type of virtual switch should be used when no external network access is required?

A private virtual switch is ideal for situations where no external network access is needed. This type of switch facilitates communication between virtual machines (VMs) that are connected to the same private switch. It allows VMs to interact with each other without being exposed to any outside networks, ensuring that their communication remains confined to the host. This is particularly useful in environments where security and isolation are a priority, such as during testing or development phases where external network interactions could introduce vulnerabilities or disrupt the process.

The other types of switches serve different purposes. An external virtual switch connects VMs to external networks, enabling them to communicate outside the host system. An internal virtual switch allows communication between VMs and the host machine but does not provide access to external networks. A storage switch is focused on managing storage networking traffic rather than facilitating VM communication.