Chapter 5. Upgrading the para-virtualized drivers

Future updates for the para-virtualized Windows drivers package will be available as bugs are fixed and new features are developed. Follow the procedures documented in this section to update the drivers to newer versions when they become available.

To update the para-virtualized drivers to the latest supported version you require the Virtualization channel from the Red Hat Network. The list para-virtualized driver packages:

xenpv-win: The standard driver package.
xenpv-win-debug: The package for debugging the Windows drivers.

Warning

Versions of the drivers prior to 1.1.0 used a different and less reliable method to disable the fully virtualized network interfaces and disks (Realtek and IDE devices, respectively) while the driver was running. This old method may interfere with the behavior of newer versions of the drivers, including preventing it from functioning.

It is advised to uninstall versions of the driver prior to 1.1.0 and reboot the machine before upgrading. For information on uninstalling the drivers, refer to Chapter 6, Uninstalling the para-virtualized drivers. Note that as long as uninstallation is done in preparation for an upgrade, you should follow the instructions in this manual even for older versions of the drivers.

Use the yum command to install the packaged .iso files to the /usr/share/xenpv-win directory. Modify xenpv-win with xenpv-win-debug if appropriate.

# yum update xenpv-win

Once yum completes, create a virtualized CD-ROM device containing the updated .iso file for the guest.

Follow Procedure 5.1, “Attach the CD-ROM image with virsh” to attach a CD-ROM image with virsh.

Procedure 5.1. Attach the CD-ROM image with `virsh`

Use the virsh command with the parameters modified for your guest. Refer to Mounting the image with virsh for more information on this step.
```
# virsh attach-disk w2k3_32 /usr/share/xenpv-win/xenpv-win.iso hdc --driver file --type cdrom --mode readonly
```
Open My Computer on the guest and open the CD drive(E in the example below). Double click the executable file for your architecture on the CD-ROM drive. The installer may automatically start when the CD-ROM is detected. This starts the installer process which is described in Section 3.2, “Installing the para-virtualized drivers”

After upgrading to the latest driver superfluous Realtek network devices may appear on the guest. These devices are due to a bug in the driver and mused be removed to ensure your guests operate properly. To remove the superfluous devices refer to Procedure 4.1, “Configuring additional para-virtualized network devices”.

Alternate procedure: upgrade with `virt-manager`

You can re-use existing virtualized CD-ROM devices to upgrading the drivers. To re-use a CD-ROM device with virt-manager:

Procedure 5.2. Re-using a CD-ROM device with `virt-manager`

Select a CD-ROM device from the list that you no longer need and click the Disconnect button.
Click Connect to choose another disk path.
In the pop up window, choose the location of the para-virtualized drivers .iso image and select OK to allow the guest access on the next boot.

A CD-ROM inserted message appears on the guest and the new CD-ROM image is available on the guest. The drivers can now be installed by running the setup on the CD-ROM. Refer to Section 3.2, “Installing the para-virtualized drivers” for information on using the installer.