Because I wanted to experiment with Hyper-V I configured myself a simple whitebox onto which I could install Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V. The requirements are there, but not as restrictive as those for installing VMware Infrastructure 3. Although I’m currently only experimenting with Hyper-V I made sure I could also install VMware whenever I feel the need to. So keeping that in mind, I assembled myself the following:

• Motherboard:
  • Asus P5K Pro
• CPU:
  • Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 4*2,40Ghz
• Memory
  • 4 * A-Data 2.0GB dram memory DDRII 800 MHz
• HDD
  • 2 * Samsung SpinPoint F 500GB
• Video
  • ASUS EN8600GT Silent

All this I placed nice and tidy in an AOpen Miditower and I could start installing Microsoft Windows Server 2008. Luckily enough Hyper-V went RTM on the day I started installing Windows so I immediately grabbed the download before I enabled the Hyper-V role.

Installing Windows Server 2008 is like a walk in the park (on a sunny afternoon) and enabling the Hyper-V role is like the same (but you’ll be enjoying a cold beer also), but nevertheless I will outline the steps taken below.

BE AWARE: In these steps I’m installing a Windows Server 2008 Full edition. In a real world (production) environment you’ll be installing Windows Server 2008 Core edition and enable the Hyper-V role onto that (you want to keep the overhead to a minimum). The reason I’ve installed the full edition is just because you can manage the server locally with the Server Manager (or Hyper-V management console).

Installation

Ok, one thing to remember is that Hyper-V is only supported on a x64 edition of Windows Server 2008.

Windows is loading files…

Install windows (yep I’m Dutch), click Next

 Install now

If you don’t have a product key clear the check box and click Next

Choose No

Select the edition you want to install, acknowledge that you’ve selected the correct edition and click Next

Read the license terms and accept them. Then click Next

Type of installation. Choose Custom (there’s no other option available on a fresh install).

Select the disk onto which you want to install Windows Server 2008 and click Next.

The installation starts…

The computer reboots automatically

 

and after the reboot, the setup continues

The installation is being completed / finished.

Windows Server 2008 is starting..

During the first startup you must define a password for the administrator account.

Type your password (twice) and click on the arrow (or on the link to create a password disk)

Your password has been changed, click ok to login.

After your first login you will be presented with the “Initial Configuration tasks” screen,

Here you have the opportunity to customize your settings (assign an IP address, change your Computer Name / domain membership, enable automatic updates, assign roles / features and so on. but we’ll skip this for now.

First we have to download the final release of Hyper-V KB950050 and install this update.

After the installation and a reboot you can enable the Hyper-V role. This can be done through the Server Manager. Select Add Roles and walk through the Add Roles Wizard

Add Roles

Read through the first page and click Next

Select the Hyper-V role and  click Next