Getting to Know Hyper-V: A Walkthrough from Initial Setup to Common Scenarios

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Hyper-V™ is a role in Windows Server® 2008 R2 that provides tools and services that you can use to create and manage a virtualized server computing environment. Within this virtualized environment, you can create and manage virtual machines, which allows you to run multiple computers, even with different operating systems, on one physical computer. In this virtualized environment, you can choose to isolate the virtual machines, or specify how they communicate with each other and with an external network.

This guide provides detailed step-by-step walkthroughs for testing Hyper-V in a preproduction environment. You can use this guide to become familiar with Hyper-V and the process of creating and managing virtual machines. This guide also includes scenarios that you can test to better understand how Hyper-V can address the business goals of your organization.

In this guide:

• Before You Begin: Select a Computer to Test Hyper-V

• Step 1: Assemble What You Need to Test Hyper-V

• Step 2: Prepare your Virtualization Server

• Step 3: Open Hyper-V Manager and Configure Hyper-V Settings

• Step 4: Create the Virtual Networks

• Step 5: Create a Base Virtual Machine

• Step 6 (Optional): Test Snapshots, Pausing, and Saving

• Step 7: Use the Base Virtual Machine to Create a New Virtual Machine

• Testing Useful Hyper-V Scenarios

  • Manage Virtual Machines Remotely With Hyper-V Manager and Windows 7

  • Use an Internal Virtual Network to Move Files to a Virtual Machine

  • Connect a Virtual Hard Disk to a Virtual Machine Without Shutting It Down

  • Connect a Physical Hard Disk to a Virtual Machine

  • Create a Virtual Active Directory Domain Controller