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+--- Thread: How can you create a private virtual switch in Hyper-V? (/showthread.php?tid=307)
How can you create a private virtual switch in Hyper-V? - savas - 05-10-2020
Creating a private virtual switch in Hyper-V is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. So, let’s dive in.
First off, you’ll need to fire up the Hyper-V Manager. It’s usually just a click away in the Start menu if you’ve got Windows Server or a Pro edition of Windows. Once you’re in, look for the "Virtual Switch Manager" in the right pane. That’s your go-to spot for setting up your virtual networks.
When you click on that, you’ll see an option to create a new virtual switch. You'll have three types to choose from: External, Internal, and Private. Since we're aiming for a private switch, go ahead and select that option. A private virtual switch is cool because it keeps communication confined strictly to the virtual machines connected to it, with no outside world interference. This is great for testing and development since it prevents any external influences or data leaks.
After you select "Private," you’ll need to give your switch a name: keep it something meaningful so you can recognize it easily later on. It’s also smart to add a description, although it’s not mandatory. This can save you some headaches down the line when you have multiple switches.
Now, here’s where the magic happens. Once you finish creating the switch, you’ll want to assign it to your virtual machines. For each VM, go into the settings and find the network adapter options. Change the network connection to your newly created private switch. That way, those VMs can talk to each other but not to the outside world.
One thing to keep in mind is that if any VM tries to reach out to the internet or other VMs on different switches, it won’t work—not without some wire juggling, at least. So if communication is necessary, you’ll need to plan which VMs go on which switches accordingly.
And voilà, you’re all set! After that, you can spin up your VMs, and they should see each other without any issues while being completely isolated from the outside world. It’s really satisfying to see everything function as intended, especially when you know you’ve got a solid barrier in place for your testing environments.
So that’s the lowdown on creating a private virtual switch in Hyper-V. Easy peasy, right? Just keep experimenting with different configurations as you go, and you’ll be a Hyper-V pro in no time!
I hope my post was useful. Are you new to Hyper-V and do you have a good Hyper-V backup solution? See my other post