Within one IT infrastructure, Microsoft introduced Hyper-V in 2008 which lets users create and run multiple virtual machines (VMs) with different guest operating systems (OSs).
Hyper-V management tools from Microsoft simplify managing, monitoring, and configuring virtual environments of any scale. The development of tools that can improve Hyper-V management has also attracted third-party developers. Modern Hyper-V management tools offer a broad range of tasks and services because of this.
We have compiled the best Hyper-V server management tools that are currently available in the virtualization market for you in this blog post, including:
- VMDK2VHD
- HV Manager
- Hyper-V Best Practices Analyzer
- Virtual Machine Servicing Tool
- Microsoft System Center Management Pack
- RAMMap
- Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica
- HyperV_Mon
- Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
Why You Need Hyper-V Management Tools
With virtualization, you can enhance server and storage performance, minimize downtime, store and protect data reliably, and reduce costs. By utilizing virtualization, you can build large-scale virtual infrastructures for running small and large business workloads. Consequently, it is not surprising that many organizations have adopted this technology.
Virtual environments can, however, be difficult to manage and maintain without efficient management and monitoring tools. The greatest benefit for your virtual environment can be achieved by installing Hyper-V management tools.
Virtual machine management tools function essentially as bridges between a physical server and its virtual machines. Despite their differences in features, these products perform the same basic functions. By managing Hyper-V virtual infrastructure, monitoring resource allocation, streamlining operations and processes, and detecting various system issues, they will allow you to efficiently manage Hyper-V virtual infrastructure.
Best Hyper-V Management Tools for Your Virtual Environment
You should pay attention to multiple Hyper-V management tools currently available on the market. The company has developed some of these applications itself, while third-party vendors have released others. To improve virtual machine management and monitoring, let’s examine the most effective Hyper-V management tools.
VMDK2VHD
VMDK2VHD converts VMDK files into Hyper-V VHD files, which is a helpful and intuitive management tool. It is easy and fast to convert disks. Moreover, the program preserves the original properties of the virtual hard disk and does not modify its data. It is necessary to locate the source VMDK file and assign the file path for the newly created VHD file before converting a virtual hard disk.
As a result, when working in large virtual environments, you will be able to easily resolve any compatibility issues by downloading this conversion software.
HV Manager
The web-based user interface allows you to manage Hyper-V VMs with this tool. HV Manager manages multiple Hyper-V servers, shows VM status via the web interface, and assigns virtual machines to users and groups. Hyper-V VMs and servers can also be accessed securely using encrypted HTTPS connections from any web-enabled device.
Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, as well as Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 with Hyper-V roles, are all supported by the Manager. It is possible to download HV Manager for free from the product’s main website. You can either purchase a per-server license or continue using the product for free after the 30-day evaluation period has ended. HV Manager, however, only allows you to manage 5 VMs with one server connection and one user.
Hyper-V Best Practices Analyzer
BPA is a Hyper-V management tool that scans Hyper-V roles enabled on servers and reports violations of best practices to the administrator in Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2008 R2. A server configuration that does not meet the best practices recommended for the Hyper-V role may cause performance issues when using this tool. A report containing warnings and errors about Hyper-V role configuration is generated after scanning is completed by Hyper-V Best Practices Analyzer (BPA). You will also receive recommendations and guidelines on how to resolve these issues.
Using Server Manager, you can access the BPA built into Windows Servers. The Microsoft Download Center also offers this product, but this version is limited to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
Virtual Machine Servicing Tool
Your Hyper-V environment might become vulnerable to attacks if a VM isn’t regularly updated. VM Servicing Tool was developed to address this issue. In this Hyper-V management tool, you can update VMs, virtual hard disks, and VM templates that have been powered off and haven’t received OS, antivirus, or application updates for a long time.
From the Microsoft Download Center, you can download Virtual Machine Servicing Tool 3.0. This tool only supports Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Microsoft System Center Management Pack
By using System Center Management Pack, Microsoft Hyper-V 2012 systems can be monitored, including virtual disks, virtual components, and virtual hardware, as well as the health of Hyper-V 2012 hosts and VMs. Microsoft’s official website offers this Hyper-V management tool for download. Among the OSs supported by this version are Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2. It is however necessary to enable System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) before you can use System Center Management Pack.
RAMMap
By using this Hyper-V management tool, you can analyze how your Windows system is using memory and whether RAM is being allocated correctly. You can download RAMMap for free if you have Windows Server 2008 or later.
VMs and system components which require the most memory should be assigned this tool within a virtual infrastructure. As a result, you can always keep track of any memory usage issues within your virtual environment by running this application.
Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica
By creating VM replicas and sending them to a secondary site, you can store and use them for failover in the future. You can therefore ensure business continuity even if a disaster damages your primary production centre.
You can identify the most efficient server, storage, and network configurations for Hyper-V replication by using the Capacity Planner for Hyper-V Replica. On Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, you can download this Hyper-V management tool from the Microsoft Download Center.
As soon as you open the Capacity Planner wizard, you’re asked to choose which VMs to replicate, enter estimated WAN bandwidth requirements, and specify details of the primary site, replica site, and extended replica site. The test can then be run and a report with the calculated results will appear in HTML format. To receive the most accurate results, run the test during your regular working hours.
Therefore, Hyper-V Replica’s Capacity Planner helps you determine your virtual infrastructure’s capabilities and ensure that replication runs smoothly.
HyperV_Mon
HyperV_Mon provides detailed information about running virtual machines and provides a visual representation of Hyper-V performance. There is a free version of this product available and it supports Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012.
VM performance can be monitored using HyperV_Mon, which displays CPU, memory, and I/O state. Installing the NET 3.5 Framework and enabling WMI access to the Root Partition Server is required for this tool to work.
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
The Hyper-V management tool assesses the current virtual environment, analyzes the available hardware and software resources, and plans future migrations. Your virtual environment can be inventoried using the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit and you can choose what information about hardware, devices, and software to collect.
There are multiple OS configurations supported by the MAP toolkit, including Windows 10, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Microsoft Download Center is the place to download the product.
Thus, the MAP Toolkit enables you to determine whether a server can be virtualized or migrated to another platform.
