How to Create External Virtual Switch in Hyper-V Manager

This article will examine how to create and configure an External Virtual Switch to connect and add virtual machines running in Hyper-V virtualization software on Windows 11 or Windows 10 to the existing physical network.

How to Add and Configure External Virtual Switch on Hyper-V

The most common method of configuring virtual network settings in a Microsoft virtual machine program is to create an External Virtual Switch. The main reason for adding this virtual key is to include the virtual machine in our physical network.

By providing access to the physical network and enabling communication with all devices in the environment, the virtual machine allows access to the Internet through the External Network configuration. It means a Windows 10 virtual machine on Hyper-V can connect to the Internet.

You can find the links below if you haven’t installed Hyper-V before.

• How to Install Hyper-V on Windows 10
• How to Enable Hyper-V using Powershell
• How to Configure Hyper-V using CMD

Our previous articles examined the Internal Switch and Private Switch network types. In this article, we’ll only explore how to add and configure an External Switch.

Before proceeding with the External network configuration in Hyper-V, create a virtual machine on the Windows operating system and install a clean Windows 10. After completing these steps, let’s connect the virtual machine on Hyper-V to our physical network or the Internet.

How to Add an External Virtual Switch

First, we will create a new network adapter and then define the adapter to the virtual machine. When configuring an External Network, we must select the adapter for our physical computer connected to the Internet.

Suppose we use a laptop, desktop, or server with a built-in wireless network adapter to surf the web. In that scenario, we’ll choose the Wi-Fi card option for the Switch setup.

Follow the steps below to configure a Hyper-V virtual machine outside the network.

Step 1

Launch Hyper-V Manager and navigate to the Virtual Switch settings menu by right-clicking the virtual machine and selecting “Options.”

Let’s add a Virtual Switch to the Windows 10 virtual machine on Hyper-V.

Step 2

To configure the Windows 10 virtual machine network settings, click Virtual Switch Manager from the Hyper-V Actions panel.

Step 3

In the Virtual Switch Manager window, select External and click the Create Virtual Switch button.

Step 4

In the Virtual Switch configuration window, select the network card of your physical computer connected to the Internet. And name the External Switch you added.

Step 5

As you can see in the example below, we chose the Qualcomm Atheros AR9002WB-1NG Wireless Network Adapter card because we are connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network adapter via a Laptop.

Click Apply / OK to have the settings take effect.

Step 6

A warning window will appear as follows as soon as you click the Apply button. This alert window reports that your network connection will terminate.

Click Yes to apply the changes.

Step 7

We are applying changes to virtual network settings.

Step 8

After adding External Switch, please right-click on the Windows 10 virtual machine, open its settings, and define the network card.

Step 9

In the virtual machine setup window, click Network Adapter and select the HyperVWAN virtual switch created from the Virtual switch opened window from the right panel.

Step 10

After configuring the virtual external switch setting for the Windows 10 machine, click OK to save the settings.

Step 11

Now run the virtual machine to test this network structure.

Step 12

Click the Start button to run the virtual pc.

Step 13

After adding Hyper-V’s virtual switch to your guest’s active system, your system will obtain an IP address from a DHCP server in your local network.

Step 14

You can also check the IP address configuration in the Windows 10 network settings. Let’s test the Windows 10 Internet connection with the Hyper-V virtual switch.

Step 15

The Windows 10 VM connects successfully to the Internet.

How to Add Network Adapters in Hyper-V ⇒ Video

Watch the video below to add a Hyper-V network adapter, connect to the Internet, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us!

Conclusion

To configure an Internet connection to a VM installed on Hyper-V, we have created an External Switch and connected it to the VM. Thanks for following us!

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