Virtual NIC on Virtual Server 2005

[AznMaverick]

I'm currently running virtual server 2005 on Vista x64. I'm wondering if virtual server 2005 has a virtual nic for the host OS similar to VMWare installing the 2 virtual NIC so i can directly interface with my VMs without having to have network traffic physically exit my host to enter my guest os (to access mapped network drives). Am i wrong in assuming that the packets are going out then coming back in? I don't want to over work my integrated gigabit ethernet.

 

[RebateMonger]

Sure. You install Microsoft LoopBack Adapters and make each an "internal-only" NIC. You can create a totally virtual network among the various virtual machines.

 

[Nothinman]

There's no presetup option like the Host-Only networking in VMware?

 

[sourceninja]

I don't know for sure if it does or not. But if not I'd suggest giving virtualbox a try. It's free and does what you are looking for.

 

[RebateMonger]

Microsoft TechNet: Setting Up Virtual Server 2005

I've done a lot of work in Virtual PC and in Hyper V, but not much in Virtual Server. But there's definitely virtual network adapters and virtual networks. The document referenced in the above link has instructions for setting up the adapters and the networks.

 

[AznMaverick]

Thanks for all of your input. Will try it out!