Windows 10 and Virtual Network Adapters – vEthernet (HvsiIcs) and vEthernet (Default Switch)

By shauncassells in HyperV, Windows Insider on
One comment

Hi all,

Today is an easy one. I have had several questions about Network Adapters and specifically vEthernet adapters around 1803 and 1903. These are follow on questions to everyones favorite: Where did my Virtual Machines go after I did an inplace upgrade. vEthernet is created exclusively for HyperV on a windows 10 devices. Two default ones are now created.

vEthernet (Default Switch)

This was first added around Windows 10 1803. It is created by default for HyperV when that optional extra is enabled.

  1. Open a command prompt – Winkey+R
  2. appwiz.cpl
  3. (upper left) Turn Windows features on or off

You can see the list of switches in your Network & Internet Settings or here: 

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VMSMP\Parameters\SwitchList
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\vmsmp\parameters\NicList

What is it good for?

Great question? It is the default option for any newly created virtual machine as of about 1803. Really useful for Linux variants you pick up from the Microsoft Store. Can I do anything else with it? Not really without causing an unpredictable headache. Generally speaking I create a NAT and private virtual switches if I am doing anything beyond trying a new distro or I want devices to work together.

PowerShell

PS c:\WINDOWS\system32> get-netnat . IE DemoKit NAT Name External IP1nterfaceAddressprefix . Internal IP1nterfaceAddressprefix . 192.168.48.0/24 lcmpQueryTi meout . 30 TcpEstab1 i shedconnecti onTi meout . 1800 TcpTrans i entconnecti onTi meout . 120 TCPFi I teri ngBehavi or . AddressDependentFiIteri ng . AddressDependentFi1teri ng UdPFi 1 teri ngBehavi or Udpldl esessi onTi meout . 120 UdpInboundRefresh . Local Store Acti ve True

vEthernet (HvsiIcs)

Same idea as Default Switch with isolation. This one is created by Windows Sandbox being enabled. I really like the idea of Sandbox but until I can do further configurations for testing I only use it for one off URL or Application testing – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/ITOps-Talk/How-to-configure-Windows-Sandbox/m-p/650418

Summary

You turned on features that use the network in Windows 10. Good news Microsoft has your back. No they are NOT a virus or hack as you see on some of the scare monger websites.

Published by shauncassells

Shaun Cassells, Senior Solutions Engineer, 1E Shaun is a Microsoft MVP Windows Insider MVP and executive at Central Texas Systems Management User Group (CTSMUG). Shaun is a frequent speaker at conferences like MMS, Gartner, TechEd Europe, TechEd North America, IT Dev Connections, System Center Rallies, and Systems Management User Groups (SMUGs). Shaun is an award winning blogger syndicated from www.shauncassells.com. Shaun specializes in analysis, optimization, and design of Tactical Solutions to Strategic Business Goals. Prior to joining 1E in 2010, he worked for a Global 100 company as the Configuration Manager Service Owner and Architect. Recently as a Principle Consultant at 1E, he accomplished design, review, and improvements to a variety of Configuration Manager environments from the very small to sites with a half million seats. He provided leadership that created a patented automated application rationalization and usage based OSD mapping solution in use by multiple fortune 500 companies. These days you can find Shaun traveling to help discover, review, and improve business productivity across the world.

1 comments on “Windows 10 and Virtual Network Adapters – vEthernet (HvsiIcs) and vEthernet (Default Switch)”

  1. Interesting followup. Removing the Sandbox feature AppWiz.CPL >> Add Remove Optional Windows Components >> Uncheck Windows SandBox. Reboot does not remove HvsiIcs Hyper-V virtual Adapter. There are a number of ways to remove this adapter but the easiest is to uninstall the Hyper-V driver from Device Manager. WinKey+X >> Device Manager >> Network Adapters >> right click Uninstall

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