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 ..." 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.
Go to "Start" -> "Administrative Tools" -> "Computer Management"
and click "Disk Management".
Follow to the "Initialize and Convert Disk Wizard" prompt
Right-click on the new disk and start the "New Partition Wizard"
Create a primary partition
If it is necessary, adjust partition size,
a drive letter,
file system type, allocation unit size and volume label.
Check that everything is fine and press "Finish" button
The new partition will be marked as "Healthy"
and accessible under "My Computer" folder.
