Best of Questions and Answers from the TechNet Webcast: 24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 02 of 24): Server Virtualization with Hyper-V Features and Architecture

Windows Server 2008 Greetings!

Below are the best of the questions and answers that occurred during our TechNet Webcast entitled, "24 Hours of Windows Server 2008 (Part 02 of 24): Server Virtualization with Hyper-V Features and Architecture"

John Weston, Keith Combs, and newest team-member (and very GROOVEy guy) Yung Chou, were kind enough to help out with the questions and answers during the webcast.  Much of what you see below is either specifically their answers, or based on the answers they gave during the session.  I've expanded some of them, and added answers to questions we didn't get to answer or were answered verbally on the webcast.   But basically this was possible as a result of their efforts, and I wanted to give them credit here. 

Thanks, my friends!

PS - here are the RESOURCES I pulled together for this webcast

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Questions and Answers

“I have been testing Hyper-V and recently had this issue. I have a VHD of SBS2003 I setup Server 2008 and Hyper-V and then tried to run this existing VHD. But the VHD would not except the Network Adapter. How do I setup the driver inside an existing VHD with out the driver files. This btw worked just find on a XP VHD. Thanks”

You will most likely need to use the "Legacy" network adaptor.

“Are there any tools to convert from VMWare Server to Hyper V? Or will there be at release?”

The answer is yes if you are running the next generation of System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM); but that isn't yet ready for public beta testing. (Announcements coming soon.) Same as V2V now with SCVMM managing Virtual Server 2005, where you can migration VMWare to Virtual Server 2005 machines, you’ll have the same ability to go straight to Hyper-V-based guest/child machines.

“Is it possible to work with external USB devices inside virtual machine?”

Today the answer is no unless the device can be shared across a RDP session to the VM. It's high on the list of feature requests for some of the upcoming versions of the virtualization products.

“Will Virtual Machine Manager be able to manage VS within a cluster, unlike with Server 2003?”

Hyper-V is a cluster-aware feature within Windows Server 2008, offering native support for VM high availability.

“But, will Virtual Machine Manager be able to manage Hyper-V virtual servers within the cluster?”

When the next generation of SCVMM ships; yes.

“What is the current planned release of the Hyper-V?”

Within 180 days from the release of Windows Server 2008 (which was released early February). So the clock is ticking!

“How will the Release version of Hyper-V be available (Microsoft Update, Download, etc)?”

Microsoft / Windows Update

“I do not see Hyper - V feature in my windows 2008 machine. I do not see it in roles either . Where do i look for it . Also I do not have my NIC Card enabled. Seems like the drivers are not enabled by default. Could this be related to Hyper-V problem?”

What machine and CPU are you using?  Does it have hardware assisted virtualization turned on?

“I am using a VmWare . Win2008 is installed in a vmware . The host machine has 4 Gb ram. 1 Gb is dedicated to windows 2008 Vmware . The host machine is a Dell Optiplex GX 270”

The Hyper-V role cannot be installed inside a virtual machine. It must be on a physical machine.

“Will there be another beta ‘refresh’ or release before it is made public?”

I am not aware of the plans if there will be an RC (release candidate) or other betas or not. I don't think we have announced anything on that one.

“What client can connect to External option?”

What do you mean by client?  Connections to the VM's can occur with the secure client or via RDP. In the case of RDP, it's just like a physical machine.

“You said - Make sure you install integration components, is that exact name, what is the url?”

Sorry I didn’t make this more clear. In the Virtual Machine Connection window, under the “Action” menu, there is a “Insert Integration Services Setup Disk” option. That will “insert” a “DVD” (actually an .iso in the virtualized disc tray), which will auto-run. Installing this is very much like installing Virtual Machine Additions works in Virtual Server 2005 and Virtual PC 2007.

NOTE: It’s not the same thing, though. In fact, if you’re moving a machine to Hyper-V from Virtual Server or Virtual PC, it’s a good idea to remove the Virtual Machine additions first.  Then once your machine is running under Hyper-V, you add the Integration Services.

“Hyper-V is limited to Windows Server 2008 Core and 64 bits?”

Not exactly. Yes, it needs to be 64 bit. But Hyper-V is available on most versions of Server (Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter), whether being installed as full or core installations. So it’s not just Core.

CLICK HERE for a good chart showing which roles are available in which versions of Windows Server 2008.

Remember – “Core” isn’t a SKU or version of Windows Server 2008. Installing a core machine is an option when you’re installing the version that you purchased (Standard, Enterprise, etc.) You don’t just by something called “Windows Server 2008 Core Edition”. That doesn’t exist.

“Can Hyper-V be installed on a Server Core installation? If so, are you then required to use VMM or can you manage it other ways?”

Yes, Windows Server 2008 Core will be strong installation choice (platform) for Hyper-V. SCVMM is not required. As I showed in the session, the Hyper-V manager allows you to connect to other machines. Using the new WS-Mgmt based remote management, it works just like any other MMC works.. allowing you to securely connect to other servers – and those other servers may be just running as core servers.

“Can the VM's be stored on a NFS storage? And is there high availability possible through the use of clustering?”

I do not know if a NFS store will be supported. SAN support is obviously a must, but I am unsure on NFS. Clustering will be a key supported scenario.

“Do you still have to pay full licensing costs for guests that are running 2008 server on a server running Hyper V?”

Windows Server 2008 license on Standard and Enterprise allow for 4 copies of that OS to run on that machine under Hyper-v with just the one license you purchased. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter edition has a different license (unlimited virtual machines, baby!). So basically, no you don't for up to the first 4 copies.

Here's the original retail pricing and SKU announcement.

“Does Legacy support connections to Windows CE-4 and DOS / Win16 machines”

I don't believe we've released the full list of supported guest operating systems for Hyper-V, but I seriously doubt those operating systems will be supported.

“Can you have physical Domain Controllers and DC's that are VM's with out running into time issues?”

Absolutely. Active Directory is going to be a key supported scenario.

“What is the minimal and recommended physical memory for each Virtual Machine?”

Whatever is required by the OS running on it.

“Will Exchange 2007 be supported by Microsoft to run in Hyper-V?”

CORRECTION to my original answer here: I replied incorrectly that Exchange 2007 was supported in Virtual Server- which of course is stupid, because Exchange 2007 is 64-bit, and Virtual Server 2005 only does 32-bit guests. 

No announcements have yet been made about Exchange 2007 support in Hyper-V.

“Can you use a dynamic vhd and install an O/S on it?”

Absolutely

“Hyper-V can run over 8 CORE? Meaning over 8 virtual servers?”

I think you misunderstood what I meant by 8 cores. I’m talking about processors and processor cores. If you are running a multi-proc/multi-core parent/host Server, you can have your virtual machines recognize as many as 8 of them (or less if you choose). So you have some great flexibility and great power/performance available to the virtual machines now.

“Ok so a dynamic expanding disk can be used to install the O/S on?”

Yes indeed.

“What is the maximum amount of RAM available to a Guest?”

64 Gig (provided you have that to spare in your host/parent)

“Comment - You cannot run Hyper-V in a VMware environment - the Enable-Hardware-Virtualization setting doesn't come thru their simulated BIOS.”

Right. Thanks.  Yes, you can't host or "parent" virtualization within a virtual machine - no matter what virtualization technology you're using.

“Will Hyper-V manager included in the windows 2008 enterprise? Or we have to purchase it separately?”

The Hyper-V manager is installable as a feature, included under the features called Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT). You can the specific tools you need; ADUC, DNS, DHCP, and yes, Hyper-V manager, even without installing that particular role, so that you can manage other servers.

Incidentally, these same RSAT tools will be available soon for Windows Vista SP1 as well. Now.. I’m thinking that it may even be that you can manage hyper-v machines from a Windows Vista SP1 desktop.

“Can you hear the sound on a vm?”

Yes.

But really.. If a virtual machine beeps in the server room, and there’s no one there to hear it… ?

“Does Hyper-V provide comparable features of VMware such as HA, DRS ?”

We will ship Hyper-V so that it has at or near feature parity with the VMWare products. Since it is still in development and testing, the final feature set isn't... set.

“Can you control a NIC so that it is not advertised? IE I want to setup a network that no one else can connect to.”

Isolating network can be easily done. You saw that I had three choices: External, Internal, and Private.

1. External: Connect to the physical NIC on the host. Advertise away.

2. Internal: Connect to a “virtual” switch, so that only other VMs using that switch (and also the parent/host) can see me.

3. Private: Connect to a “virtual” switch, but in this case even the host/parent can see me. Other VMs using that switch can, however.

“Is there a document that lists the hardware requirements for running Hyper-V?”

Right now that is in the RELEASE NOTES. See https://download.microsoft.com/download/e/4/8/e48d5cff-53d2-4eed-85bf-4af50e25b78c/relnotes.htm

“So I could prevent one NIC from being a choice?”

Yes, you simply do not add or disconnect that particular NIC to the VM.

“Where can I find details on the SCVMM extensibility interfaces?”

https://blogs.technet.com/virtualization/archive/2008/02/21/hyper-v-extensibility-and-apis.aspx is a great place to start

“Can the COM ports be used to access a USB device? If not, what will their main purpose be?”

I have never used one but I assume it would be for some sort of serial device, or devices that map drives to a COM port.

“Is it possible to install hyper V on windows 2008 cluster?”

https://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2610236&SiteID=17 has good discussion on the topic

“Just want to say ‘Really Great Webcast!!’”

Thanks very much! I hope you put that on the evaluation!  <smile>

“Can you bring w2k8 into your domain as a domain controller without converting all of existing servers to w2k8?”

Not really the topic of this webcast… but yes.

“How are you organizing your files on the host. Configuration and VHD in same folder or some other schem?”

This depends on the storage systems and disks you have. For instance, you may have the .VHD's on a SAN LUN.

“Kevin explains things good.”

Thanks! Yes, he's ok so we'll keep him.

“When SCVMM for Hyper-v will be able to download?”

It's still a ways off before public release but I would imagine you'll hear something definitive coming out of the Microsoft Management Summit 2008

“When would you use Hyper-V manager as opposed to System Center VMM?”

If you have purchased SCVMM, then you really wouldn’t need to use Hyper-V manager. I suppose there may be times where you don’t have the SCVMM tools handy, but everything that you can do with Hyper-V manager will be doable in the new SCVMM.

“I understand Systems Center also has Operations Component are they are separate product from Systems Center Virtual Manager? What other product under Systems Center?”

Monitoring and Reporting is via System Center Operations Manager and the VM management pack. For all the details on the System Center suite, go to https://www.microsoft.com/systemcenter

“If the hyper-V host hosted 4 VMs is dead, is there a HA for this?”

Clustering Hyper-V hosts would obviously bring those VM's up on the other cluster node. And of course the new SCVMM (when it ships) will allow movement (“quick migration”) of the VM's as well.

“Virtual Server does not have USB access, what about Hyper-V - can we access USB?”

In the first release of Hyper-V, I’m afraid not.

“When I transfer VM to another server the hardware configuration should be identitical?”

Do you mean the host or the guest? If you mean the host, it doesn’t matter.  As long as the destination “parent partition” is capable, you can transfer the machine just fine.

If you mean the “child partition” (guest) machine – you export the machine, then import it onto the destination. And the configuration goes along with it.

You CAN just move the .vhd file (delete the machine from one host/parent first, in case there is snapshot data that hasn’t merged with the .vhd files), and then create a new machine and point to the original .vhd.  That’s no different than, say, taking a .vhd formerly running under Virtual Server 2005 or Virtual PC 2007 and creating a new machine from that.  But you’ll have to redefine the machine and it’s configuration first.

“Is System Center Operations Manager one product and you have to purchase VM management pack?”

System Center Operations Manager is indeed a product.  You need the product license as well as the management licenses for the machines you’re monitoring. But Management Packs are free (if they’re from Microsoft).

“In a cluster W2k8 with hyper V can we move ONE virtual machine from a node to another node?”

Yes. Check out this awesome post by Robert Larson about creating a cluster and configuring Hyper-V. Lot’s of great screenshots. https://blogs.technet.com/roblarson/archive/2007/12/17/building-a-host-cluster-with-hyper-v-beta-1.aspx

“When I transfer VM to another server the hardware configuration should be identitical?”

You will export the machine and the configuration is carried over.

“Can we install Virtual Server on Server 2008?”

Yes, you can install Virtual Server 2005 on Windows Server 2008, but it is not going to be a supported configuration.  It doesn't work very well.  The services for both Virtual Server 2005 and Hyper-V cannot be running at the same time.

“System Center Operations Manager one product and you have to purchase VM management pack?”

Management packs are generally free although we have partners that develop mgmt packs that are for a fee.  Microsoft mgmt packs are free downloads.

Can the Hyper-V environment support mulitple physical NIC adapters?”

Yes. You would create additional “networks” associated with those NICs, and then associate virtual network adapters you put in your VMs with those NICs. So in that way you can even have a virtual machine using more than one NIC (virtual OR actual physical) as well.

“What about Licensing for Standard? Do you get any VMs for that?”

Yes.. In the webcast I said FOUR for Enterprise, and I wasn’t sure about Standard. It turns out that you get FOUR for Standard as well! Yay!

IMPORTANT CORRECTION: My source for that information was incorrect.  With Standard, you get ONE virtual instance license. 

“When Hyper-V comes out will it replace the VM Manager or only if you have 64 bit?”

Hyper-V is definitely 64-bit only but I don't know if System Center Virtual Machine Manager will be. It does not "replace" anything as they'll run side-by-side.

“Can the Hyper-V environment support multiple physical NIC adapters?”

Yes

"Can you use system center essentials with the managaement packs to manage vm's similar to the full product of system center”

System Center Essentials will have monitoring of the Hyper-V service on the host/parent. Yes. And any monitoring and managing of the services running on the virtual machines themselves will work exactly as if they were physical servers.

“As a follow-up to my prior question, which COM ports are the VMs ‘mapped’ to? The hardware COM ports on the host?”

Yes

"Will you need a license per physical processor? Fantastic Presentation A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ to Kevin and the support team”

Wow.. I rarely got A’s in school (“You don’t apply yourself!”) so that’s the first A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I’ve ever received. THANKS!

UPDATE: You can give me a D-minus, though, for my original answer to your per-processor question.  Datacenter and Itanium versions of Windows Server 2008 are licensed per-processor (not core).  All other versions are licensed per-Server, no matter how many processors you have in them.