Chapter 6 - Virtual Networks

Abstract

This chapter discusses the various ways to use the virtual networking features of Virtual Server 2005 R2. The two basic types of virtual network types, External resources and Internal networks 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. The internal virtual network type isolates the virtual machines on a virtual network that only the virtual machines can access. The virtual networks are managed from the Virtual Server Administration Web page. A virtual network is a collection of one or more virtual machines connected to exchange information or provide a service to other virtual machines or computers. Virtual Server 2005 R2 can support an unlimited number of virtual networks. By utilizing one or more physical network adapters along with the internal network and the Loopback adapter, very complex network designs can be incorporated with Virtual Server. Each virtual network also has a virtual Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server as part of the configuration. This Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is only for the virtual machines on the same virtual server host computer.