Hyper-V is Microsoft’s entry in to the virtualization market. Virtualization allows you to run multiple operating systems (Virtual Machines) on a single physical machine known as the host. With the resources available in a modern server you can often run dozens or more virtual machines on a single host allowing for considerable hardware consolidation.
In this guide I’ll be installing the Hyper-V role on to Windows Server 2016 Standard 180 day trial so you can easily follow along. I would recommend doing this on a physical machine rather than inside an existing VM unless you know what you’re doing.
Installing the Hyper-V Role
- Open the Server Manager and click Add roles and features
- Click Next until you’re on Server Roles
- Check the Hyper-V box and click Add Features in the window that pops up
- Click Next until you’re on Virtual Switches, Select a network adapter for the virtual machines to share
- Continue clicking Next until you can’t anymore. You’ll need to click Install at this point
- Once it’s done, Restart the computer
Hyper-V is now installed and ready to use. If you were using a static IP you may need to set it up again as it recreates the network interface you bound to the switch. To manage Hyper-V we’ll need to open Hyper-V Manager.
In Server Manager click on Tools and go down to Hyper-V Manager.
In Hyper-V Manager Click on your Server in the left pane.
Creating your first Virtual Machine
To create your first Virtual Machine, go to the right side of Hyper-V Manager and click New > Virtual Machine.
In order of pages in the New Virtual Machine Wizard:
- On the first page here click Next
- Name your VM
- Select a Generation for your VM (If you’re installing a modern 64bit OS, choose Gen 2)
- Tell it how much Ram to assign it
- Assign it a network interface
- You can select your OS install ISO here
- Verify you’ve selected the right options and click Finish
You’ll see the new VM in Hyper-V Manager.
Double click on it and press the power button up the top to turn it on.
From here, It’ll be a normal OS installation process. The best way to learn more features is by playing with Hyper-V, Googling things as you find them and as always, breaking things.