With the release of Windows Server 2016 many new features will be available, none more exciting than ‘Nested Virtualization.’

1. What is Nested Virtualization?

Hyper-V Nested Virtualization is essentially running Hyper-V inside of a Hyper-V VM.  Think of it as a second layer of virtualization.

2. Why should I use Nested Virtualization?

While Nested Virtualization may seem like a very niche solution, it has a multitude of use cases and scenarios that can benefit from its offerings. Here are a few:

Test Environments – Hardware is expensive; we all know that simple truth.  Leveraging Nested Virtualization in a current environment offers the segregation desired for a true testing environment while foregoing the upfront cost of dedicated hardware.

Training – Hands on training for Hyper-V is truly priceless.  Utilizing Nested Virtualization can allow for an admin to walk through the base configuration of a Hyper-V cluster while mitigating any potential risks to the current production cluster.

Demos / Proof of Concepts – Again, it’s difficult to dedicate hardware for a demo or PoC when you’re running on a limited budget or short on time.  Nested Virtualization allows you to configure an isolated environment without acquiring dedicated physical resources and delete it quickly when completed.

3. How do I enable Nested Virtualization?

Use the following link to access a video explaining how to enable this feature.

It’s easy to see how useful a technology like Nested Virtualization can be.  Keep this feature in mind the next time you need to create an environment on a limited budget or timeframe.

Windows Server 2016 Blog Series

Innovative Integration is creating a whole series about Windows Server 2016 leading up to the September launch. To read other articles from this series, click here.