Windows Server 2022: Setting Up Nested Virtualization

Setting Up Nested Virtualization on Windows Server 2022 Datacenter

Introduction

This guide walks through setting up nested virtualization on Windows Server 2022 Datacenter. The goal is to enable the 2k22-Host → 2k22-Virtualization → Test VMs architecture, where a host VM can also run virtual machines.

Steps

Step 1: Installing Hyper-V on the Host (2k22-Host)

Install Hyper-V using PowerShell:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools -Restart

Verify Installation:
```
Get-WindowsFeature -Name Hyper-V
```

Step 2: Create and Configure the Intermediate VM (2k22-Virtualization)

Create the Intermediate VM on the host (2k22-Host) using Hyper-V Manager.
Expose Virtualization Extensions: Enable nested virtualization so that the intermediate VM can host other VMs:
```
Set-VMProcessor -VMName "2k22-virtualization" -ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $true
```

Enable MAC Address Spoofing for network connectivity:

Get-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName "2k22-virtualization" | Set-VMNetworkAdapter -MacAddressSpoofing On

Activate Windows on the intermediate VM using KMS client keys:
```
slmgr /ipk W3GNR-8DDXR-2TFRP-H8P33-DV9BG
```
If required, refer to Microsoft KMS Documentation for more details.

Step 3: Installing Hyper-V on the Intermediate VM

Install Hyper-V on 2k22-Virtualization using PowerShell:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools -Restart

Create Nested VMs (such as Windows 10 testbox) within the intermediate VM using Hyper-V Manager.

Additional Considerations

GPU Pass-Through (Optional): If GPU pass-through is needed, follow the Easy-GPU-PV Guide.

Networking: MAC address spoofing is enabled using:

Get-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName "2k22-virtualization" | Set-VMNetworkAdapter -MacAddressSpoofing On