VMWare & Hyper V 4.2

VMware Player

Software that allows installing virtual machines (VMs). Smaller scale, designed for desktop, personal or business.

VM Options

Creating a new VM or opening an existing one (.ovf files).

VM Storage

Option to store the VM’s disk as a single file or split into smaller files. Smaller files can be easier to move.

Customize VM

Add or remove memory, processors, or hard disk space.

Bridged (Net Adapter)

Connects VM directly to physical network card

NAT (Net Adapter)

Shares host’s IP address (good for simple internet access)

Host (Net Adapter)

Isolated private network between host and VM

Custom (Net Adapter)

drops VM into a chosen virtual network

LAN Segment (Net Adapter)

Similar to custom virtual network.

LAN Vs NAT

If networking multiple VMs, use custom or LAN segment. NAT is best if VM only needs internet access.

Boot the VM

VMware Player must remain open; it does not support running VMs "headless" (in the background). Closing VMware Player closes the VM.

Hyper-V

Virtualization software by Microsoft that allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on one physical machine.

Enable Hyper-V

To turn on Hyper-V, use "Turn Windows features on or off" in Control Panel.

Virtual Switch Manager

A Hyper-V tool to configure virtual networking options (External, Internal, Private) for VMs.

External virtual switch

Connects VM directly to the physical network and gives it internet access.

Internal virtual switch

Allows VMs to communicate with each other and the host OS, but no internet access.

Private virtual switch

Fully isolates VMs from the host and the internet; VMs can only talk to each other.

Default Switch

A built-in internal virtual switch with NAT enabled, providing VMs with limited internet access.

Quick Create

An option in Hyper-V Manager to quickly create a VM using default or user-supplied ISOs.

VM Settings Panel

Where you can customize virtual machine specs like RAM, CPU, hard disk, and network adapter.

Dynamic Memory

Allows a VM’s memory allocation to change automatically based on system demand.

VM network configuration

Configuring the VM to use one or more virtual switches for internet or internal communication.

Firewall VM

A virtual machine with two network adapters, used to control traffic between internal VMs and the internet.

Start VM

Click "Connect" then "Start" to boot the VM into its ISO or OS installation media.

Hypervisor

A lightweight OS layer that enables hardware virtualization by managing access to CPU, RAM, and storage for virtual machines.

Overprovisioned VM

A virtual machine assigned more resources than it actually uses; common but reduces host efficiency.

VM provisioning

The process of allocating virtual hardware like CPU, RAM, and storage to a VM during or after creation.

Hyper-V system requirements

Hyper-V requires virtualization support in BIOS/UEFI and Windows Pro edition or higher.

Create a VM in Hyper-V

Steps include naming the VM, selecting ISO/VHD, assigning memory, CPU, and network switch.

Integration Services (IS)

A package that improves VM performance and integration; enables copy-paste, smooth mouse, and optimized drivers.

VM Connection window

An interface to interact with a VM—start, stop, pause, take snapshots, and connect via console.

VM snapshot (Checkpoint)

A saved state of a virtual machine that can be reverted to later.

Hyper-V Manager

Main GUI interface for managing Hyper-V hosts, VMs, and networking configurations.

Add ISO to VM

Use Quick Create or VM settings to browse and mount an ISO file for OS installation.

Virtual hard disk (VHD)

A file-based storage container that acts like a physical hard drive for virtual machines.

Reboot after enabling Hyper-V

A required restart sequence when enabling Hyper-V from Windows features.

Install OS in VM

Process that starts after mounting an ISO and starting the virtual machine for the first time.