Configuring NIC teaming in virtual network environment

As explained earlier in, “Configuring Servers,” NIC teaming is a Windows feature that enables administrators to join multiple network adapters into a single entity for performance enhancement or fault tolerance purposes. Hyper-V virtual machines can also take advantage of NIC teaming, but they are limited to teams of only two, as opposed to the host operating system, which can have teams of up to 64 NICs.
To use NIC teaming in Hyper-V, you must complete three basic tasks, as follows:
1. Create the NIC team in the Windows Server 2012 R2 host operating system.
2. In Hyper-V Manager, create an external virtual switch using the NIC team.
3. Configure the network adapter in a virtual machine to connect to the virtual switch representing the NIC team.

Creating the NIC team
NIC teams must consist of physical network interface adapters, so before you can use a NIC team in a virtual machine, you must create it in the host operating system. After installing two NICs in the computer, you can create a NIC team with Server Manager in the usual manner, using the settings shown in Figure 3-33. Creating the team installs the Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Driver, which appears as one of the components of the network connection representing the team.

FIGURE 3-33 The NIC Teaming dialog box

Creating the team virtual switch
Once you have created the NIC team, you can open the Virtual Switch Manager and create a new virtual switch by selecting the External network option and choosing Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Driver from the drop-down list, as shown in Figure 3-34.

FIGURE 3-34 The Virtual Switch Properties settings for a NIC team switch

Configuring a NIC team virtual network adapter
To configure a virtual machine to use a NIC team, you must use the Settings dialog box to modify the properties for a virtual network adapter, configuring it to use the team switch you created in the previous section, as shown in Figure 3-35.

FIGURE 3-35 The Network Adapter settings for a NIC team adapter

Finally, you must open the Advanced Features page for the network adapter and select the Enable The Network Adapter To Be Part Of A Team In The Guest Operating System check box.
At this point, the NIC team is operational for the virtual machine. You can unplug one of the network cables and the system will maintain its connection to the network.