Windows Server: Setting Up Virtual Machine in Hyper-V Using PowerShell

Introduction

In a virtualization environment like Hyper-V, Integration Services play a crucial role. Integration Services are a collection of drivers and services that enhance the performance and functionality of virtual machines (VMs) running on Hyper-V. They provide essential tools that enable VMs to work seamlessly within the virtualization environment.

Visit My Previous Blog About – How to configure Hyper-V Using PowerShell

Hyper-V Setting

Integration Service

Integration Services in Hyper-V settings refer to a set of drivers and services that improve the functionality and performance of virtual machines (VMs) running on Hyper-V. In simple terms, Integration Services are tools that help virtual machines work better within the virtualization environment.

Get-VMIntergrationService -ComputerName hyperv1 -VMName vm1

This command retrieves information about the integration services installed on a virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”.

Enable-VMIntergrationService

This command enables a specific integration service on a virtual machine.

Enter-PSSession vm1

This command establishes a PowerShell session with a virtual machine named “vm1”.

Get-ItemProperty

This command retrieves the properties of an item, such as files, folders, or registry keys, within the current PowerShell session.

Static Memory

Static memory refers to a fixed amount of memory assigned to a virtual machine in Hyper-V. When you allocate static memory to a virtual machine, that specific amount of memory is reserved exclusively for that virtual machine.

get-counter -listset memoryget-counter -listset memory | select -expand counter

get-counter “\memory\available mbytes”while ($true){get-counter “\memory\available mbytes”; start-sleep -s .5}

get-vmmemory -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1set-vmmemory -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1 -startupbytes 4096

Dynamic Memory

Dynamic memory, on the other hand, allows the Hyper-V host to allocate memory to virtual machines based on their actual needs. With dynamic memory, the host dynamically adjusts the amount of memory allocated to each virtual machine, based on its workload and demand.

Smart Paging

Smart paging is a feature in Hyper-V that helps virtual machines start up successfully when there is a memory shortage or contention on the host server. It acts as a backup mechanism to ensure that virtual machines can be started even when there is not enough available memory.

Setting Memory Dynamic Memory

NUMA Support

NUMA support refers to the ability of a system, such as a server or a virtualization platform like Hyper-V, to effectively utilize and manage memory across multiple NUMA nodes.

Setting Processor NUMA

Resource Metering

Resource metering is a feature in Hyper-V that allows you to monitor and track the resource usage of virtual machines (VMs) running on a Hyper-V host. In simple terms, it helps you gather information about how much CPU, memory, network, and storage resources are being consumed by each VM.

Enable-VMResourceMetering -ComputerName hyperv1 -vmname vm1Measure-vm -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1

Measure-vm -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1 | fl

This command retrieves various metrics and information about the virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”.

 Measure-vm -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1 | select -expand harddiskmetrics

This command retrieves the hard disk metrics of the virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”.

Measure-vm -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1 | select -expand networkmetered

This command retrieves the network metered property of the virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”.

set-vmProcessor -computername hyperv1 -vmname vm1 -EnableHostResourceProtection $true

This command is used to configure the processor settings of a virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”. The “-EnableHostResourceProtection $true” parameter is used to enable host resource protection for the virtual machine.

Enhanced session mode

Enhanced Session Mode is a feature in Hyper-V that allows for a more interactive and seamless experience when accessing virtual machines (VMs) through the Hyper-V Manager or Remote Desktop Connection.

Setting Server Enhanced session mode policy

User Enhanced session mode

Export And Import

Export and Import are operations in Hyper-V that allow you to capture and restore virtual machines (VMs) along with their configurations, making it easier to move or backup VMs between Hyper-V hosts.

GUI

Export-VMImport-VMHelp Export-Vm

Secure Boot

Secure Boot is a feature available in modern computer systems, including those running Hyper-V, that helps protect the integrity and security of the boot process and the operating system.

Enter-pssession vm1confirm-securebootuefi

Create Linux

GUI

FreeBSD

commonly used for diff appliance made by different vendors.

FressBSD on Hyper-V is primarily targeted towards our appliance vendor partners.

Hyper-V Storage

1. Snapshots (Checkpoints):
   • In Hyper-V, snapshots are like taking a picture of a virtual machine at a specific moment.
   • They capture the current settings and data of the virtual machine, allowing you to go back to that state if needed.
   • Snapshots are often used for creating backups or testing different configurations.
   • In Hyper-V, they are called checkpoints.
2. VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service):
   • VSS is a technology that helps create safe copies of data on a computer.
   • It ensures that backups or other operations can be performed without interrupting the normal functioning of the system or data.
   • In Hyper-V, VSS helps create reliable backups of virtual machine disks by coordinating the copying process.

VHD VHDX

VHD is a file format used to represent virtual hard disks in virtualization platforms like Hyper-V.

VHDX is an enhanced version of the VHD format, introduced in Windows Server 2012 and later versions.

( extension is important for vhd or vhdx or vhd set)

New-VHD -path c:\mydesktopvhd.vhdx -SizeBytes 40GB -Dynamic

This command creates a new virtual hard disk (VHD) file named “mydesktopvhd.vhdx” with a size of 40GB.

New-VHD -path c:\mydesktopvhd.vhdx -SizeBytes 40GB | `

This series of commands creates a new VHD named “mydesktopvhd.vhdx” with a size of 40GB.

mount-VHD -passthru | `

This command mounts a virtual hard disk (VHD) file. The “-passthru” parameter allows the output of this command to be used as input for the next command.

Initialize-disk -assigndriveletter -usemaximumsize | `

This command initializes the disk after mounting the VHD file.

Format-Volume -filesystem NTFS -confirm:$false -force

This command formats the volume on the initialized disk.

New-VHD -ComputerName hyperv1 -path c:\vm1.vhdx -SizeBytes 40GB -Dynamic

This command creates a new virtual hard disk (VHD) file named “vm1.vhdx” with a size of 40GB on a remote computer named “hyperv1”.

Add-VMHardDiskDrive -ComputerName hyperv1 — VMNAME vm1 -path c:\vm1.vhdx

This command adds a virtual hard disk (VHD) named “vm1.vhdx” to a virtual machine named “vm1” running on the remote computer “hyperv1”.

Differencing Disk

Add-VMHardDiskDrive -ComputerName hyperv1 — VMNAME vm1 -path c:\vm1.vhdx

This command adds a new virtual hard disk drive (VHD) to a virtual machine named “vm1” running on the computer “hyperv1”. The “-Path” parameter specifies the path where the new VHD file will be located, in this case, “c:\vm1.vhdx”. The command creates and attaches the VHD to the virtual machine, allowing it to use the specified disk for storage.

New-VHD -Differencing -ParentPath c:\template\vm1.vhdx

This command creates a new differencing virtual hard disk (VHD) using an existing parent VHD file. The “-Differencing” parameter specifies that a differencing VHD should be created. The “-ParentPath” parameter specifies the path to the parent VHD file, in this case, “c:\template\vm1.vhdx”. A differencing VHD is a type of VHD that stores only the changes made to the parent VHD, allowing for efficient disk usage and easy creation of multiple virtual machines based on a common parent disk image.

GUI

Pass Through

New-VHD -path c:\passthru.vhdx -dynamic -SizeBytes 40GB | `

This command creates a new dynamically expanding virtual hard disk (VHD) file named “passthru.vhdx” with a size of 40GB. The “-dynamic” parameter specifies that the VHD should be dynamically expanding, meaning it will only consume space on the physical disk as data is written to it.

Mount-VHD -passthru | `

This command mounts the newly created VHD file (“passthru.vhdx”) and passes it through to the next command in the pipeline. Mounting a VHD allows you to access its contents and perform operations on it.

Initialize-disk -passthru | `

This command initializes the mounted VHD disk and passes it through to the next command in the pipeline. Disk initialization prepares the disk for use by creating a disk signature and partition table.

Set-Disk -isoffline $true

This command sets the mounted disk to be offline. Making the disk offline means it will not be accessible by the operating system, preventing any accidental modification or interference with the disk.

disk part
list disk

Modify VHD

Hyperv console
 EDIT DISK
 INSPECT DISK

Enter-PSSession hyperv1

This command establishes a remote PowerShell session with a computer named “hyperv1.” It allows you to interact with the remote computer and execute PowerShell commands directly on that computer.

Get-Command | where name -like “*vhd*”

This command retrieves a list of all available PowerShell commands and then filters them using the “where” cmdlet. The “where” cmdlet filters the commands based on a specified condition, in this case, the command names containing “vhd” as a substring.

Test-VHD c:\vm1vhdx

The Test-VHD cmdlet tests a virtual hard disk for any problems that would make it unusable.

Output “True = USABLE”

OPTIMIZE — VHD

1. MODE FULL
   • This mode thoroughly optimizes the VHD by making it as small as possible, removing unused space, and organizing the data to improve efficiency. It may take more time to complete but provides the most space savings.
2. MODE QUICK
   • This mode quickly optimizes the VHD by reclaiming unused space, but it may not make the VHD file as small as the full mode. It’s faster but doesn’t provide as much space savings.
3. MODE RETRIM
   • This mode communicates with the storage system to optimize the VHD by releasing unused space. It improves performance and efficiency by letting the storage system know which parts of the VHD are no longer in use.
4. MODE PRETRIMMED
   • This mode assumes the storage system has already optimized the VHD by releasing unused space. It skips the optimization process since the storage system has already taken care of it.
5. MODE PREZEROED
   • This mode makes sure that any unused space in the VHD is filled with zeros. It helps with compression and deduplication processes by making the VHD more optimized for those operations.

Resize VHD

Resize-VHD -Path c:\vm1.vhdx -SizeBytes 120GB

This command resizes the virtual hard disk (VHD) file located at “c:\vm1.vhdx” to a specified size of 120GB.

Resize-VHD -Path c:\vm1.vhdx -ToMinimumSize

This command resizes the VHD file located at “c:\vm1.vhdx” to the minimum possible size.

Manage Checkpoints

GUI using CHECKPOINT OPTION

Limitation – When you attach pass thru to the virtual machine you can’t have checkpoints to that VM.

Checkpoint-VM -ComputerName hyperv1 -VMName vm2 -SnapshotName TESTHERE

This command creates a special saved state of a virtual machine called “vm2” on the computer “hyperv1”. This saved state is called a checkpoint or snapshot, and it’s like taking a picture of the virtual machine at that moment.

The command also assigns a specific name to this checkpoint, which is “TESTHERE”. This name helps you remember what the checkpoint represents, such as a specific test or configuration you want to preserve.

Production Checkpoints

GUI STEPS

1. Setting 
   1.1 Checkpoints
   1.2 Fiber Channel Adapter
   1.3 Production Checkpoint Enable

Implement a Virtual Fiber Channel Adapter

GUI STEPS

1. Virtual San Manager
    Create
2. Setting of VM
   2.1 Add Hardware
   2.2 Fiber Channel Adapter
   2.3 Edit Address

Create Shared VHDX Files

GUI STEPS

1. NEW
2. Hard disk
3. VHD SET
4. Dynamic
5. shared.vhds
6. FINISH

SETTING
1. SCSI CONTROLLER
2. SHARED DRIVE
3. VIRTUAL HDD shared.vhds

Configure Storage QoS

SETTING
SCSI CONTROLLER
 HARD DISK
 ENABLE QOS
 IOPS

Hyper-V Networking

RSS — RECEIVED SIDE SCALLING
RDMA

Configure Hyper-V Virtual Switches

GUI
VIRTUAL SWITCH MANAGER

EXTERNAL (Allow to share)
INTERNAL (Only to talk with inside VMs)
PRIVATE (Virtual machines cannot talk to host {ISOLATED} But they can talk to each other VMs)

Configure NAT for Hyper-V VMs

New-VMSwitch -ComputerName hyperv1 -SwitchName NAT -SwitchType Internal

Get-NetAdapter

This command retrieves information about the network adapters on the computer where it is executed.

Enter-PSSession hyperv1

This command establishes a remote PowerShell session with a computer named “hyperv1”.

Get-NetAdapter
New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceIndex 16 -IPAddress 192.168.4.1 -PrefixLength 24
New-NetNat -Name NAT -internalipinterfaceaddressprefix “192.168.4.0/24”
Add-NetNatStaticMapping -NetName NAT -Protocol TCP -ExternalIpAddress 0.0.0.0 -InternalIPAddress 192.168.4.20 -InternalPort 80 -ExternalPort 80

Outside world can speak to inside world (Static mapping whatever the external IP someone coming in and integration add port no to connect)

Limitation – Only allows you to create one NAT network per machine.

GUI
SETTING
NETWORK ADAPTER
NAT

Add and Remove vNICs

Add-VMNetworkAdapter
help Add-VMNetworkAdapter

GUI
SETTING
Add Hardware
Add
Select Switch

Configure Network Isolation

GUI
Virtual Switch Manager
External Network
Enable V-Lan 
 “You have to have trunk port plugged in to this network interface. And Check the box to identify the vlan and communicate”

SETTINGS
Network Adapter
Virtual Switch
Enable V-Lan

Set-VMNetworkAdapterIsolation
help Set-VMNetworkAdapterIsolation
Set-VMNetworkAdapterVlan
help Set-VMNetworkAdapterVlan

Configure Bandwidth Management
SETTING
NETWORK ADAPTER
ENABLE BANDWIDTH MAN

set-vmnetworkadapter -Maximumbandwidth
set-vmnetworkadapter -MinimumBandwidthAbsolute

Configure Synthetic and Legacy vNICs

1. CREATE GEN 1 VM
2. GO TO SETTING
3. ADD HARDWARE
4. REGULAR NETWORRK ADAPTER
5. LEGACY NETWORK ADAPTER (WDS, to deploy OS over the network for gen 1 VM)
6. LEGACY NETWORK ADAPTER COMES UP WITH THE BOOT

Configure Mac Address

MAC IS UNIQUE
MAC SPOOFING

SETTINGS
 NETWORK ADAPTER
 ADVANCED FEATURES

LOAD BALANCING, NLB CLUSTERS SUPPORT THIS WE NEED MAC ADD SPOOFING

set-vmnetworkadapter -StaticMacAddress macaddress

Configure vNIC Advanced Features
ADVANCED FEATURES in NETWORK ADAPTER SETTING

DHCP GUARD
(If there’s a DHCP server, obvious it must be connected to a adds)
For the DHCP server which not authorized by adds, enabling DHCP guard will be dropped.
From protecting from unauthorized IP address.

ROUTER GUARD

May protect from malicious virtual machines pretending has a router

PORT MIRROR

Mirror the content of on that port from some other vm where sniffer is located so we can look at the traffic going in and out of that vm

Source (vm1)
Destination (vm2 which is running sniffer)
And can look the network traffics
 
DEVICE NAMING

Name for the network adapter

set-vmnetworkadapter -Macaddressspoofing
set-vmnetworkadapter -DhcpGuard
set-vmnetworkadapter -RouterGuard
set-vmnetworkadapter -PortMirroring
set-vmnetworkadapter -DeviceName

Configure VMQ

SETTING
NETWORK ADAPTER
HARDWARE ACCELERATION
VIRTUAL MACHINE QUEUE

Get-NetAdapterRss 
Get-NetAdapterVmq
Set-NetAdapterVmq

Prepare Physical NICs for LBFO Teaming
GUI
VMWARE SETTING
 ADD NETWORK CARD
 MAKE IT VMNET3(NAT)
AND ADD IT TO HYPER V ADAPTERS

Stop-Computer -computername hypverv1

hyperv1.vmx open with notepad

Configure LBFO Teaming and Virtual Switch

Server Manager

Hyperv1
 Right click – Configure NICteam
 Task — New — Select Adapters — Additional Properties — OK
 REFRESH

Hyper-V manager
 New Victual Switch
 External Network
 Multiplexor Driver (TEAM INTERFACE)
 (DISABLE)NOT TO ALLOW MANAGEMENT OS TRAFFIC
 OK

802.3ad LACP

Configure SET and Enable RDMA

(Remote Direct Memory Access)

This is for Switch Embedding Teaming Portion

New-VMSwitch -EnableEmbeddedTeaming $true -NetAdapterName “NIC1”,”NIC2″

This is for RDMA portion

Enable-NetAdapterRdma
help Enable-NetAdapterRdma

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored various aspects of Hyper-V settings and configurations using PowerShell commands. We discussed Integration Services, which are tools that enhance the functionality and performance of virtual machines running on Hyper-V. We also covered topics like static memory and dynamic memory, which allow us to allocate memory to virtual machines based on their needs. Additionally, we learned about features like Smart Paging, NUMA support, and Resource Metering, which help optimize resource utilization in the virtualization environment.

We delved into topics like Enhanced Session Mode, Export and Import operations, and Secure Boot, which are important for managing and securing virtual machines. We also touched upon Hyper-V storage concepts, such as snapshots (checkpoints), VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service), and VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) formats.