Windows Server 2008 R2 : Build Virtual Machines (part 1) - Create a Virtual Machine & Create Virtual Hard Disks

1. Create a Virtual Machine

To create a virtual machine, click the New option in the Actions pane and select Virtual Machine. This will start the New Virtual Machine Wizard. This wizard will guide you through the rest of the process of creating a virtual machine. The process goes as follows:

Figure 1. Creating a virtual machine

2. Create Virtual Hard Disks

You undoubtedly noticed when you created a virtual machine that it is possible to create a virtual machine and create the VHD later. The virtual hard disk is the storage component for the virtual machine. It is the location you will install the files for the operating system and applications.

Virtual hard disks have some degree of portability. It is possible to import and export VHD files using Hyper-V and "move" them from one server to another.

All VHDs are not created equal. There are actually three different types. When you build a VHD, you will choose which type to create:

Dynamically expanding VHD Dynamically expanding VHDs do exactly what the name suggests. The VHD starts relatively small and then dynamically increases in size to accommodate the storage needs of the virtual machine. It is important to note that although the disk automatically increases in size as new data is added to the VHD, it does not automatically shrink in size if data is deleted from the VHD. To resize the VHD file, you will need to run the Edit VHD Wizard.

Fixed VHD A fixed virtual hard disk provides a specific amount of storage space that is defined at the time the hard disk is created. The size of the VHD will remain fixed regardless of how much data is added to the VHD. It is possible to use the Edit Virtual Hard Disk Wizard to increase or decrease the size of the fixed VHD should the need arise for additional storage space.

Differencing VHD A differencing virtual hard disk provides storage to enable you to make changes to a parent virtual hard disk without altering the parent disk. The changes are actually made to the differencing disk while maintaining the original integrity of the parent disk.

2.1. Create a Virtual Hard Disk

To create a new VHD, follow these steps:

Figure 2. Creating a VHD

It should be noted here that these steps reflect the process of creating a virtual hard disk with either the fixed or dynamically increasing types. If you were to create a differencing disk to use in conjunction with an existing fixed or dynamically increasing disk, the process would be slightly different.

2.2. Use an Existing VHD

The nature of the VHD makes it relatively portable. As of this writing, Microsoft is providing VHD files that can be used by individuals to evaluate Windows Server and other associated platform products. These VHD files can be downloaded and used as the base of a virtual machine. You might create your own virtual machine files complete with operating system and applications and then export the VHD file and use it on another Hyper-V server. The portability and versatility of the VHD file make it very desirable. In fact, it is actually possible to deploy physical copies of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 from a VHD file.

You will remember that when you created a virtual machine, you were presented with the option of creating a virtual hard disk to go along with the virtual machine or waiting until later to associate a VHD with the virtual machine. If you selected to associate the VHD file later, you will need to modify the settings of the virtual machine you created.

To add a VHD file to a virtual machine, do the following:

Figure 3. Associating a VHD to a virtual machine