Here is my process for installing Hyper-V on a Windows 2008 Server.

Basic install

First make sure the hardware can support virtualisation. Securable is the easiest tool for this.

If Securable shows a failure check these setting (names may vary) in the BIOS

• Security > Execute Disable (set to On)
• Performance > Virtualization (set to On)
• Performance > VT for Direct I/O Access (set to On)
• Performance > Trusted Execution (set to Off)

Next install Server 2008 Enterprise as normal

Once the install has finished install all drivers, run windows update and add to the domain (or not).

Run Add Roles from server manager and select Hyper-V.

On the virtual networks page select the adapter(s) you want to use to give physical network access.

Complete the installation process and reboot the server. Log back in with the same account you started the install with and let it finish the install proccess.

You can now create / manage the virtual network / machines from server manager or from the Hyper-V mmc snap-in.

Additional Steps

I use the Hyper-V Monitor gadget to monitor my virtual servers. This gadget relies on pinging the server as part of the monitoring process. By default ICMP is blocked by the windows firewall. The easiest way of enabling ICMP is from the command prompt with the line

netsh firewall set icmpsetting 8

And your done!

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