Step 4: Create the Virtual Networks

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Before you start creating virtual machines, you need to create the virtual networks that those virtual machines will use to connect to the Internet, to share files with the virtualization server, and to communicate with each other. In this step, you will create three virtual networks that you will use later in some of the Hyper-V scenarios included in this guide.

Note

If you want to review detailed information about virtual networks in Hyper-V, see Configuring Virtual Networks in the Hyper-V Planning and Deployment Guide (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=131362).

To create the virtual networks

  1. In Hyper-V Manager, in the Actions pane, click Virtual Network Manager. Virtual Network Manager opens.

  2. First, create a virtual network that virtual machines can use to connect to the Internet:

    1. In the list of virtual networks, click External, and then click Add.

    2. In the Name box for the new virtual network, change the name to External Network.

    3. If you have more than one network adapter installed in the virtualization server, in the list of external network adapters, click the network adapter that you want your virtual machines to use.

    4. To create the new virtual network, click Apply. If the Apply Network Changes dialog box appears, review the warning information, and then click Yes.

  3. Next, create a virtual network that the virtual machines and the virtualization server can use to share files:

    1. In the left navigation pane, click New virtual network.

    2. In the list of virtual networks, click Internal, and then click Add.

    3. In the Name box for the new virtual network, change the name to Internal Network.

    4. To create the new virtual network, click Apply.

  4. Finally, create a virtual network that only the virtual machines running on the virtualization server can use:

    1. In the left navigation pane, click New virtual network.

    2. In the list of virtual networks, click Private, and then click Add.

    3. In the Name box for the new virtual network, change the name to Private Network.

    4. To create the new virtual network, click Apply.

  5. To close Virtual Network Manager, click OK.