Server 2022, Hyper-V, Internal Network, External Network and Two Network Adapters

Question

Hi,

I'm trying to set up some lab environment for myself.

I got a Mini PC running with Server 2022 and activated HyperV Role. This device has two Network Adapters. LAN and WLAN.

I want a lab environment running multiple VMs AND possibly multiple real machines connected by a switch to the LAN Interface.

The only machine having Internet Access and Connection to the site LAN (and site DHCP and Internet connection) should be the HyperV Host. Using the WLAN Interface. Depends on the site I'm working it might be site WLAN or Mobile Hotspot.

All VMs AND all physical devices behind the LAN port should share a subnet. I want that as Intranet without Internet access.

My idea is running a VM Server 2022 Core with the routing (and DHCP) role and the only "Intranet" machine having Internet access. So this one may have two NICs connected to the virtual switches of my host. All Internet traffic inside the lab environment (physical and virtual) has to be running through this VM. Except the host which has has internet and nothing to do with the lab environment.

Why? Because I want all lab computers (physical and virtual) being offline if I decide to do that. I want them independent from ANY site network and ANY site firewall. I want my DHCP to give them then IP adresses.

That lab environment will be used for different purposes. Running a Demo Domain, Running different services on virtual services, connecting to the cloud showing hybrid environments and what happens when Internet is gone with different Hybrid Authentications.

Well... I am totally rusty with HyperV and complex virtual networks. So I could use some help. One virtual switch running as external connected to the WLAN Adapter is clear... That one will be used by the Router VM. But the second part... Internal switch would be the case for all VMs having no internet connection and the Router VM does the routing between those two. OK. But I want physical machines on the LAN port being part of that internal network getting their Adresses of a virtual DHCP and using that Router VM aswell...

Answer 1

Hello,

Based on your description, you want to create an offline lab environment in Hyper-V, where all lab computers (physical and virtual) are offline, independent of any site network and any site firewall. Is it right?

Thanks,

Shujun