Learn to install Hyper-V role on Windows Server 2008

One widely used hardware virtualization technique in the market is called Hyper-V. The technology is built on the hypervisor, which is regarded as one of Windows Server 2008’s key components. Webmasters may make extensive use of this technology since it provides a scalable, dependable, adaptable, and extremely powerful virtualization platform. Its main features include support for 64-bit guests and hosts, guest multi-processing, excellent stability, and enhanced security thanks to its hypervisor design, which enables it to provide customers with high speed and scalability.

With capabilities like the ability to quickly migrate physical servers to hyper-V virtual machines and other physical hosts, as well as the integration with SCVMM (System Center Virtual Machine Manager), Hyper-V gives you more flexibility and control over managing a range of tasks.

When the Hyper-V role is fully installed on a Windows Server 2008, all necessary components of the Hyper-V technology are typically installed, along with a variety of additional tools and remote administration capabilities. These administration tools include the Virtual Machine Connection and Microsoft’s Hyper-V Manager control panel. This allows you to use a network connection to access the virtual machines directly.

Before installing Hyper-V on Windows server 2008, you need to have the following things.

Hyper-V requires specific hardware for the installation, so make sure you have all those things like :

1) x64-based Processor: The Hyper-V can be installed only on the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008, that belongs to Windows Server 2008 Standard, Enterprise and DataCenter Edition.

2) You need to have a processor consisting of virtualization options enabled or the HAV needs to be enabled in the BIOS. These options are included in the Intel VT and AMD Virtualization. In addition to the HAV, the Data Execution Protection needs to be enabled in the BIOS. Remember to enable the Intex XD bit or AMD NX bit.

Note: Hyper-V doesn’t support Itanium processors, so it won’t work on such processors.

BIOS Settings :

For the BIOS setting, enter the BIOS setup of your server and make sure to enable both the ‘VT’ and ‘XD’. In-case these two components are not enabled in the BIOS, then you will get the following two error messages in the event logs, even after the installation gets completed.

Error 1: Hyper-V launch failed because may be VMX is not present or not enabled in BIOS.

Error 2: Hyper-V launch failed because maybe at least one of the processors in the system does not appear to provide a virtualization platform supported by Hyper-V.

Thus, always make sure that you have set ‘Execute Disable’ and ‘VT’ as ‘On’ or ‘Enabled’, based on your server’s BIOS settings.

# Steps for Hyper-V Installation

1) Before you proceed for the installation steps make sure that your windows server is properly configured with all the above BIOS settings. Check if the following things are configured correctly :

• The Administrative password is setup.

• Confirmed the computer name for server.

• Set the static IP on all the related NICs.

• Server is activated.

• If it’s necessary, join the server to a domain.

• Configure the firewall for remote administration.

• Enable the RDP for remote administration.

2) Open Server Manager and click on the Add Roles.

3) Select the Hyper-V role and click on the Next button. Choose the Hyper-V role and click Next.

4) To create connections to a whole network simply click one or more network adapters on the ‘Create Virtual Networks’ window.

It is recommended to always have at least two network adapters, those can be used for different purposes. One can be used for virtual network and another for server management.

5) Now, on the Confirm Installation Section window, click on the Installation button.

6) To complete the Hyper-V installation process, you will need to restart your computer system. So, click on the ‘Close button’ to finish the wizard and click the Yes button to restart your system.

7) Again log on using the same credential that you have used to install the Hyper-V role. Once the Resume Configuration Wizard completes the installation process, then click on the Close button to finish the wizard.

You are done!

In this manner, installing the Hyper-V role on your Windows Dedicated Server 2008 would be simple. You may use Microsoft’s Management Console (MMC) or Server Manager to handle the Hyper-V role.