Configuring Virtual Networks

Applies To: System Center Essentials 2010

Configuring Virtual Networks on Host Computers

If the host computer has multiple network adapters, Essentials 2010 provides administrator control over the network location assigned to each network adapter.

When you use the Designate a Host wizard to designate a host for virtual machines, System Center Essentials 2010 automatically assigns a network location to each network adapter found, as long as the host computer’s IP address is dynamic. If the host computer’s IP address is static, the network location is blank for each network adapter.

Assigning Network Adapters to Network Locations

You can assign a network location to a network adapter while using the Designate a Host wizard or, if you have already created the host, you can use the Host Networking tab in Host Properties.

To add or change the network location assigned to a network adapter by using the Designate a Host wizard

  1. In the Designate a Host wizard, on the Network Configuration page, select a network adapter in the list, and then type the name of the network location in Network Locations or select a network location in the list.

    Note

    If you do not want this network adapter to be used for virtual network configuration, in the list of network locations, click Do not use.

To add or change the network location assigned to a network adapter by using Host Properties

  1. In the Computers workspace, click All Windows Computers or All Windows Servers, right-click a computer in the list, and then click Properties.

  2. Click the Host Networking tab.

  3. Select a network adapter in the list, and then type the name of the network location or select a network location in the list.

    Note

    If you do not want this network adapter to be used for virtual network configuration, in the list of network locations, click Do not use.

Failover Clusters and Virtual Networking

If the host computer is a node of a failover cluster, Essentials 2010 designates all nodes of the failover cluster as hosts. If you add or change the network location for one node’s network adapter, you must configure the other nodes of the failover cluster in exactly the same way so that failover works correctly.

Internal and Private Networks

In order to use virtual machines in Essentials 2010, the host virtual network must be configured as an external network type. Internal and private networks are not detected.

See Also

Tasks

How to Designate a Host for Virtualization Management in Essentials