Getting my network card working with HyperV

This last week I upgraded (actually, wiped and installed) my nicest machine to run Windows Server 2012. Since this is a very important machine in my testing world I went through it first making backups, ensuring key files were archived and tasks like that.

Before the migration, though, I exported my virtual machines so that I could reimport them after the migration. I have many VMS - about 20 - that I regularly use, and did not want to spend any time recreating them.

Once I got done with all that, I installed Windows Server 2012. Everything went well except one task. After my computer started, I added HyperV to it and then imported my exported machines. The only problem was I had no network card listed to add to the virtual machine and so they would not connect to the network.

After a little looking around, I noticed that I (or Windows?) had not created a virtual network card for the machines to use. I don't remember doing this manually in Windows 2008 R2 but I may just be forgetful.

In any case, here's what I did to add the virtual card:

Open HyperV manager

On the right is the link for Virtual Switch Manager.  Click it

Select New Virtual Network Switch on the left

Give the switch a meaningful name

In our case, accepting the defaults is all that is needed, so I clicked OK and was done.

I'm posting this here in case someone else is seeing the same thing and just needs a quick point in the right direction to fix this.

Questions, comments, concerns and criticisms always welcome,

John