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Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5

Para-virtualized Windows Drivers Guide

The complete guide to using the para-virtualized drivers for Microsoft® Windows® virtual guests on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.

Edition 3

Perry Myers

Red Hat Virtualization

Chris Curran

Red Hat Engineering Content Services

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Abstract
This guide covers installation and usage of the para-virtualized drivers for fully virtualized Microsoft®Windows® guests on hosts running Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 and later. The para-virtualized drivers provide fully virtualized Microsoft®Windows® virtual guests with greater throughput and faster latency for storage and networking devices. This guide assumes the reader is familiar with system administration, software installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Microsoft Windows® environments.

1. Overview
2. Requirements and restrictions
3. Installing and configuring the para-virtualized drivers
3.1. Creating the guest
3.2. Installing the para-virtualized drivers
3.3. Post-installation host configuration
4. Administration tasks
4.1. Hot plugging para-virtualized disks
4.2. Adding para-virtualized network devices
4.3. Shutting down the guest
4.4. Disabling the drivers
5. Upgrading the para-virtualized drivers
6. Uninstalling the para-virtualized drivers
A. Using virsh to mount a CD-ROM image on an inactive domain
B. Revision History