In Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft added the receive-side scaling function in a Microsoft Hyper-V Network Adapter of a virtual machine. This function is called virtual receive-side scaling by Microsoft. By default, receive-side scaling in a virtual machine is disabled.
Before using virtual receive-side scaling, the network throughput of a virtual machine is limited by a single virtual processor because a single virtual processor isn't enough processing power to handle the network throughput larger than 5Gb. Microsoft improved virtual machine queue to work with virtual receive-side scaling in Windows Server 2012 R2. The network traffic of a virtual machine which is enabled vRSS will spread to multiple VMQ. It can improve the network performance of a virtual machine.
To use virtual receive-side scaling, administrators make sure the following items are supported.
To use virtual receive-side scaling, administrators make sure the following items are supported.
- Operating system of a virtual machine is Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows 8.1
- The Hyper-V host is Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2012 R2 integration components is installed in a virtual machine
- A physical network adapter supports Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ)
To enable virtual receive-side scaling, administrators can enable it by "Device Manager" or "PowerShell" in a virtual machine which is installed Windows Server 2012 R2.
Device Manager
1. On a virtual machine, log in as administrator.
2. Click "Start", enter "device manager".
3. Expand "Network adapters".
4. Right-click "Microsoft Hyper-V Network Adapter", select "Properties".
5. Select "Advanced" tab.
6. Select "Receive Side Scaling".
7. Next to "Value", select "Enabled".
8. Click "OK".
PowerShell
1. On a virtual machine, log in as administrator.
2. Launch "PowerShell" as administrator.
3. Perform "Set-NetAdapterRss -Name <NIC Name> -Enabled $True" to enable RSS on a network adapter.
Remark: Administrators also can assign how many virtual processors for virtual receive-side scaling (vRSS). For more information, please read Receive Side Scaling (RSS) in Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.
To disable virtual receive-side scaling, administrators can perform "Set-NetAdapterRss -Name <NIC Name> -Enabled $False".
Device Manager
1. On a virtual machine, log in as administrator.
2. Click "Start", enter "device manager".
4. Right-click "Microsoft Hyper-V Network Adapter", select "Properties".
6. Select "Receive Side Scaling".
7. Next to "Value", select "Enabled".
PowerShell
1. On a virtual machine, log in as administrator.
2. Launch "PowerShell" as administrator.
3. Perform "Set-NetAdapterRss -Name <NIC Name> -Enabled $True" to enable RSS on a network adapter.
To disable virtual receive-side scaling, administrators can perform "Set-NetAdapterRss -Name <NIC Name> -Enabled $False".
More information:
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