Common Scenarios for Networking in System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2
Updated: May 13, 2016
Applies To: System Center 2012 SP1 - Virtual Machine Manager, System Center 2012 R2 Virtual Machine Manager
This topic describes various networking options in Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) in System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and System Center 2012 R2. These options can enhance and extend the ways in which you work with IP addressing, virtual local area networks (VLANs), routers, switches, and other elements of networking that support your virtual machines.
Important
This topic describes networking options in VMM in System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and System Center 2012 R2. For information about networking options in VMM in System Center 2012, see Common Scenarios for Networking in VMM in System Center 2012.
Scenarios for creating the networking environment for hosts
The following table describes ways in which you can use networking capabilities in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 or System Center 2012 R2 when you configure the networking environment for virtual machine hosts. For additional scenarios that apply to System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2, see the following:
Scenarios for logical networks, IP address pools, and network load balancing in this topic
Scenarios for virtual machine networks in this topic
Scenarios for virtual switches and switch extensions in this topic
| Scenario | Key information | For more information |
|---|---|---|
| On a host, use only part of the bandwidth of a physical network adapter, or a teamed set of network adapters, for managing that host. | - Configure a port profile for virtual network adapters that will limit the amount of bandwidth. Also configure a logical switch that includes that port profile. - Assign the logical switch to the management adapter, either in the host’s properties, or in a profile that you use to provision Hyper-V hosts. |
Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM How to Configure Network Settings on a Host by Applying a Logical Switch in VMM How to Create a Host or a Physical Computer Profile to Provision a Hyper-V Host in VMM |
| On a host, configure teaming of multiple physical network adapters for increased availability. | - Configure a logical switch and associate it with multiple physical adapters on the host. - The logical switch that you create for this purpose must use Team for the uplink mode. |
Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM How to Configure Network Settings on a Host by Applying a Logical Switch in VMM How to Create a Host or a Physical Computer Profile to Provision a Hyper-V Host in VMM |
| On a host, integrate a top-of-rack (TOR) switch with VMM in System Center 2012 R2. This can simplify network configuration and help prevent software misconfiguration of networks. | For System Center 2012 R2 only: Add a top-of-rack switch to VMM by using the Add Network Service wizard. | How to Add a Top-of-Rack Switch in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
Scenarios for logical networks, IP address pools, and network load balancing
The following table describes ways in which you can use networking capabilities in VMM to configure logical networks, IP address pools, and network load balancing to support your virtual machine configuration. For additional scenarios that apply to System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2, see the following:
Scenarios for creating the networking environment for hosts in this topic
Scenarios for virtual machine networks in this topic
Scenarios for virtual switches and switch extensions in this topic
| Scenario | Key information | For more information |
|---|---|---|
| Connect virtual machines to a network that serves a particular function in your environment, for example, the “Backend,” “Frontend,” or “Backup” network. In other words, associate IP subnets and, if needed, virtual local area networks (VLANs) together into named units, called "logical networks," that virtual machines can use. | - Logical networks, which were introduced in System Center 2012, provide a foundation for virtual machine networks (VM networks) in System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2. The simplest way to use a logical network that you have created is to create a VM network that uses that logical network with No isolation. The VM network will function as a logical network with no isolated networks within it. For more options with VM networks, see Scenarios for virtual machine networks in this topic. - Only one VM network that is configured with No isolation can be assigned to each logical network. |
Configuring Logical Networking in VMM Overview How to Create a Logical Network in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
| Simplify IP address management in VMM on networks where you do not use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). | After you create logical networks, VM networks, or both, you can create IP address pools and, if needed, MAC address pools for those networks. | Configuring Logical Networking in VMM Overview How to Create IP Address Pools for Logical Networks in VMM |
| Automatically provision load balancers in your virtualized environment. | - Either use Microsoft Network Load Balancing (NLB) or add supported hardware load balancers to VMM. - NLB is included as an available load balancer with VMM. |
Configuring Load Balancing in VMM Overview |
| Integrate VMM in System Center 2012 R2 with an IP Address Management (IPAM) server. An IPAM server is a server that is running Windows Server 2012 R2 with the IPAM Server feature installed. When two systems are integrated, the network settings are periodically synchronized between them. | For System Center 2012 R2 only: Add the IPAM server as a network service in VMM | How to Add an IPAM Server in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
Scenarios for virtual machine networks
The following table describes ways in which you can use networking capabilities in VMM to configure networks that virtual machines use. For additional scenarios that apply to System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2, see the following:
Scenarios for creating the networking environment for hosts in this topic
Scenarios for logical networks, IP address pools, and network load balancing in this topic
Scenarios for virtual switches and switch extensions in this topic
Important
As of System Center 2012 SP1, VM networks and other VMM networking enhancements are based on Hyper-V Network Virtualization, which was introduced in Windows Server 2012. To better understand VM networks that use network virtualization, review the illustrations and descriptions of Hyper-V Network Virtualization in Network Virtualization technical details.
| Scenario | Key information | For more information |
|---|---|---|
| Move virtual machines and their associated networks in a single operation. | - When you configure a virtual machine or virtual machine template and you specify a VM network that uses network virtualization, the VM network moves when the virtual machine is moved. A VM network can use network virtualization only if the logical network on which it is configured allows network virtualization. | Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 How to Create a Virtual Machine Template |
| Connect virtual machines on VM networks to computers on connected physical networks. In System Center 2012 R2: Connect virtual machines on VM networks to computers on connected physical networks, and optionally, use network address translation (NAT). For a similar scenario for a hosting provider, see the last line in this table. |
|
Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Add a Non-Windows Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Add a Non-Windows Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 How to Add a Windows Server Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
| Manage networks that use familiar VLAN technology for network isolation, but use VMM to simplify the management process. |
|
Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Create a Logical Network in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
| In the hosted environment that you provide, enable each tenant, client, or customer to have their own networks that are isolated from the networks of other tenants, clients, or customers. | - Use network virtualization. To do this, create a logical network as the foundation, specify that the logical network allows for VM networks that use network virtualization, and then create multiple VM networks on top of the logical network. Provide one or more VM networks for each tenant, client, or customer. | Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Create a Logical Network in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
| In the hosted environment that you provide, enable your tenants, clients, or customers to "Bring your own IP". In other words, you offer them an environment in which they can use whatever IP addresses they want for their virtual machines. | - Use network virtualization. To do this, create a logical network as the foundation, specify that the logical network allows for VM networks that use network virtualization, and then create multiple VM networks on top of the logical network. Provide one or more VM networks for each tenant, client, or customer. | Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Create a Logical Network in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
| In the hosted environment that you provide, enable your tenants, clients, or customers to configure some aspects of their own networks, based on limits that you specify. | - Use network virtualization, and give each tenant access to the appropriate networks through the Tenant Administrator role in VMM. (See the previous row in this table for information about network virtualization.) | Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 How to Create a Tenant Administrator User Role in VMM |
| In the hosted environment that you provide, enable your tenants to connect their virtual machines to systems on their own premises. In System Center 2012 R2: In the hosted environment that you provide, enable your tenants to connect their virtual machines to multiple sites on their own premises, and optionally, to use Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). |
|
Configuring VM Networks and Gateways in VMM How to Add a Non-Windows Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Add a Windows Server Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 How to Add a Non-Windows Gateway in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 How to Create a VM Network in VMM in System Center 2012 R2 |
Scenarios for virtual switches and switch extensions
The following table describes ways in which you can use networking capabilities in VMM to configure virtual switches and switch extensions that define connectivity and capabilities in networks that are used by virtual machines. For additional scenarios that apply to System Center 2012 SP1 and System Center 2012 R2, see the following:
Scenarios for creating the networking environment for hosts in this topic
Scenarios for logical networks, IP address pools, and network load balancing in this topic
Scenarios for virtual machine networks in this topic
| Scenario | Key information | For more information |
|---|---|---|
| In a virtualized network environment, monitor network traffic, use Quality of Service (QoS) to control network bandwidth usage, or enhance the level of security. | - In VMM, create a logical switch and associate a virtual switch extension with it. For example, use a switch extension that supports QoS (through the switch extension provider). - Before you can associate a switch extension with a logical switch, you must install provider software on the VMM management server. Some providers are included in VMM. You can also obtain them from switch manufacturers and add them to VMM. |
Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM |
| Configure settings on your forwarding extension and then apply them consistently in your virtualized environment. Settings can include network objects such as logical networks, network sites, and VM networks. | - In VMM, add the switch extension manager for your forwarding extension. To do this, you must first install provider software that you obtain from the switch manufacturer. - Then create logical switches, which bring together multiple network settings and capabilities that you want to make available on particular hosts. |
Configuring Ports and Switches for VM Networks in VMM How to Add a Virtual Switch Extension Manager in System Center 2012 SP1 How to Add a Virtual Switch Extension or Network Manager in System Center 2012 R2 |
See Also
Common Scenarios for Networking in VMM in System Center 2012
Configuring Logical Networking in VMM Illustrated Overview
Configuring Ports and Switches in VMM Illustrated Overview
Configuring VM Networks in VMM Illustrated Overview