WindowsGuestDrivers/viostor/installation

How to setup Windows guest VirtIO block driver on Windows Server 2003

Introduction

VirtIO block driver can be used either as a system (boot) or non-system disk. However, the installation procedure for these two different scenarios is slightly different.

System disk installation procedure

QEMU command line options

First of all, a VM needs to be started with the VirtIO block device and boot options enabled:

-drive file=/image_path/image_name,if=virtio,boot=on

In addition, a virtual floppy disk with correct Windows drivers must be specified:

-fda /floppy_image_path/floppy_image_name

Boot from the CD and press "F6" to install a third party driver

Press "S" to specify additional device

Select correct architecture and press "ENTER"

Press "Enter" to continue

All set. Press "Enter" and continue with the normal installation procedure

Non-System disk installation procedure

QEMU command line options

Run VM with the new VirtIO block device by adding the following options:

-drive file=/image_path/image_name,if=virtio,boot=off and -fda /floppy_image_path/floppy_image_name

Upon the Windows guest restart the New Hardware Wizard dialog will appear

= Select "Install from the list or specific location" option and press "Next"

Select an appropriate location and press "OK" button

Press "Next" button

Press "Finish" upon installation completion

Verify installation

Go to "Device Manager" and check to see that "Red Hat VirtIO SCSI controller" appears under "SCSI and RAID controllers" category.