Hyper-V Server networking in a cluster

Failover clustering has its own networking needs, and the expansion of Hyper-V across separate nodes adds to its networking requirements as well. When a group of computers are clustered together, the clustering service will identify all the adapters on each node and select a single adapter per subnet from each node to represent that node. Each unique subnet is set up as a cluster network. When the status of an adapter changes, such as having its cable unplugged, being disabled, or undergoing an IP address change, or if an adapter is added, the cluster immediately re-evaluates the status of any related cluster network.

The cluster distinguishes networks by their subnets. Each IP address in a given subnet indicates presence in that subnet. The clustering service will only allow a single IP from each node to participate in a single subnet.

Cluster networks can be seen in Failover Cluster Manager under the Networks node in the tree in the left pane. They...