Multiple networks in a LAB of VM Workstation

Most of the time we need multiple networks in our LAB to simulate cross site features. Today I will explain, How can you do this with Windows Server, VM Workstation with minimal effort.

There could be n number of scenario when this could be helpful but I would try to emphasis that you shouldn’t use this in your production infrastructure.

I will explain how to enable network communication between two networks (192.168.20.128/24 & 192.168.21.128/24). We will use VM WorkStation and LAN Routing feature of Windows Servers 2012. You can use any other hypervisor like virtual box as well.

My Infrastructure :-

VM Workstation 15.0 installed on Windows 10.
DC – 192.168.20.128
Misc – 192.168.20.11
Client – 192.168.21.129

Initially, if we ping 192.168.20.128 from 192.168.21.129 then it will throw request time out.

Add a host Only network in VM Workstation, Here it is VMnet2 with subnet IP 192.168.21.0

LAN

Now Navigate to server named MISC, this will be our router server.
- Add VMNet2 network on this server under vm workstation.
- Login using Administrator account and install ‘Remote and Routing Access’ feature.
- Select ‘LAN Routing’ It will automaticlaly select ‘Direct Access and VPN’
- Finish Installation.
- Now configure by clicking ‘Routing and Remote Access’.
- FYI, At this point we have two LAN on MISC machine. Here is the ipconfig output from MISC machine.
- Click on ‘Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access’
- Click on ‘Custom Configuration’.
- Click on ‘LAN Routing’
- Now start the service.
- Now, you will see both LAN.
- You would have to use hightlited ip address in gateway field of the servers you build in the same network, it will allow cross network communication.
Here is the ping result from both networks, you can notice ipconfig result of the local server and ping result of the other server.
- Ping from 192.168.20.128 to 192.168.21.128
- Ping from 192.168.21.129 to 192.168.20.128