Hyper-V — Beginner-Friendly Overview

🖥️ Hyper-V — Beginner-Friendly Overview

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization platform that lets you run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical computer.

It’s widely used in IT labs, enterprises, cloud environments, and cybersecurity practice.

🧠 What Hyper-V Does

Hyper-V allows you to:

• Run multiple operating systems on one machine
• Create isolated test environments
• Build home labs (Windows, Linux, servers)
• Practice IT, networking, and security skills safely

🧱 Core Components of Hyper-V

1️⃣ Hypervisor

• Sits between hardware and operating systems
• Manages CPU, memory, storage, and network resources

2️⃣ Virtual Machines (VMs)

• Software-based computers
• Each VM has its own OS, apps, and settings

3️⃣ Virtual Switch

• Controls VM networking
• Types:
• External – internet / LAN access
• Internal – host ↔ VM communication
• Private – VM ↔ VM only

🖥️ System Requirements

• Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education
• 64-bit CPU with virtualization support (Intel VT-x / AMD-V)
• Virtualization enabled in BIOS/UEFI
• Minimum 8 GB RAM recommended

🛠️ Common Hyper-V Tasks

🔹 Create a Virtual Machine

• Choose OS (Windows/Linux)
• Assign CPU, RAM, storage
• Attach ISO file

🔹 Snapshot (Checkpoint)

• Save VM state
• Restore if something breaks

🔹 Resource Management

• Dynamic memory
• CPU allocation
• Storage optimization
•