How to Create a Second NIC in Virtual PC

Virtual PC is a desktop virtualization software by Microsoft. It can be used to run an independent Windows operating system (the guest) from within your operating system (the host). Virtualization is useful to run programs in older versions of Windows or to test an operating system before upgrading your current operating system. The virtual machine is not limited to the host hardware, and you can add a second NIC (network interface card) if the application you are running on the guest operating system requires it.

Instructions

1. Go to "Start' menu and click "Microsoft Virtual PC." Select the guest virtual machine in the "Virtual PC Console." Turn that virtual machine off.

2. Click "Settings" and select "Networking" on the left pane of the "Settings for name-of-your-virtual-machine" window.

3. Use the drop-down menu on the right pane to change the number of network adapters from 1 to 2.

4. Select "Local only" if you want your virtual machine to be able to communicate only with the host operating system.

5. Select "name-of-my-network-card" to have the guest operating system access the network.

6. Click "OK" to close the window.

7. Click "Start" to launch the guest operating system. Windows will detect the network adapter and install the drivers automatically.

References

• Virtual PC 2007

Resources

• Virtual PC 2007 Technical Reference