Chapter 4 - Virtual Networks

Abstract

This chapter discusses various ways of using the virtual networking features of Virtual Server 2005 R2. The two basic types of virtual network (external and internal) enable the virtual server administrator to control how the virtual machines can access resources. The external type enables the virtual machines to connect to Internet or other resources directly. This could be useful in building a virtual firewall or Internet Web or message server where outside access is required. The internal virtual network type isolates the virtual machines on a virtual network that only the virtual machines can access. This is good for building a DMZ or isolating test infrastructures from production virtual machines and networks. Using virtual networks opens the possibility to use Virtual Server in a test environment to include test/production scenarios with a demilitarized zone (DMZ). The virtual networks are managed from the Virtual Server Administration Web page. Each virtual network also has a virtual Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server as part of the configuration. When the virtual machine is connected to a virtual network the virtual DHCP server assigns all the configured information to the virtual network adapter when the virtual machine is started or the virtual network adapter is connected.