How to Create External Virtual Switch in Hyper-V
Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization software that allows you to create virtual machines on your Windows computer. One of the key features of Hyper-V is the ability to create virtual switches, which allow your virtual machines to communicate with each other and with the outside world. In this guide, we will show you how to create an external virtual switch in Hyper-V.
Step 1: Open Hyper-V Manager
The first step is to open Hyper-V Manager. You can do this by searching for “Hyper-V Manager” in the Start menu or by typing “virtmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog box. Once Hyper-V Manager is open, you should see a list of your virtual machines and virtual switches.
Step 2: Create a New Virtual Switch
To create a new external virtual switch, click on “Action” in the menu bar and select “Virtual Switch Manager.” In the Virtual Switch Manager window, select “External” and click on “Create Virtual Switch.”
Next, you will need to give your new virtual switch a name. You can also choose the network adapter that the virtual switch will be bound to. Select the network adapter that you want to use for your external virtual switch and click on “OK.”
Step 3: Configure the External Virtual Switch
Once you have created the external virtual switch, you will need to configure it to allow communication with your virtual machines. To do this, select the external virtual switch from the list of virtual switches in Hyper-V Manager and click on “Settings.”
In the Settings window, you can configure properties such as VLAN ID, bandwidth management, and security. Make sure to configure these properties according to your network requirements before clicking on “OK” to save the settings.
Step 4: Connect Virtual Machines to the External Virtual Switch
Now that you have created and configured the external virtual switch, you can connect your virtual machines to it. To do this, select the virtual machine that you want to connect to the external virtual switch in Hyper-V Manager and click on “Settings.”
In the virtual machine’s settings, select “Add Hardware” and choose “Network Adapter.” In the Network Adapter settings, select the external virtual switch that you created earlier and click on “OK” to save the settings.
Step 5: Test the External Virtual Switch
Once you have connected your virtual machines to the external virtual switch, you should test the connection to ensure that everything is working correctly. You can do this by pinging the virtual machines from each other or from the host computer.
If the ping is successful, it means that the external virtual switch is working properly, and your virtual machines can communicate with each other and with the outside world through the external virtual switch.
Congratulations! You have successfully created an external virtual switch in Hyper-V and connected your virtual machines to it. You can now use this external virtual switch to communicate with other virtual machines and external networks.
We hope this guide was helpful in showing you how to create an external virtual switch in Hyper-V. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment below, and we will do our best to assist you.