Windows 2008R2 and Sun Xen xVM? Yes it works. In Testsigning-Mode with the free GPL Xen drivers. Flawlessly. Performant. To the right you see the result (click for original size).
The Xen Block volume (zfs volume in Dom0) is shown as "XEN PV DISK SCSI Disk Device", the virtual network interface as "Xen Net Device Driver".
To install Win 2008 R2 on Sun xVM begin to create a zfs block volume to hold the Windows boot disk:
# zfs create -V 30G -b 16k xvm/win2008r2.zvolI am using 30 GB as volume and a 16k blocksize as NTFS appears just to use that blocksize for its operations. As my zpool to hold these volumes is named "xvm" so the volume name is "xvm/win2008r2.zvol". I like using "zvol" as extension to distinguish these block volumes from zfs file systems.
Next, locate the Windows 2008 R2 installation DVD ISO image in your file system tree and use the full path to it in the Xen installation command:
# virt-install \
--hvm \
--ram 2048 \
--disk path=/dev/zvol/dsk/xvm/win2008r2.zvol \
--vnc \
--cdrom /iso/eng_windows_server_2008_r2_st_ent_dc_web_retail_x64_X15-50365.img \
--os-type windows \
--os-variant vista \
--vcpus=2 \
--name "win2008r2"
The machine will have 2 virtual CPUs, a VNC control (otherwise no graphics), 2 GB of RAM. The variant "vista" is perfect for Windows 2008 R2.
Result: A VNC window will open and Windows is loading files:
Some moments later, the "Windows is starting logo" should appear:
Don't change keyboard setting it will have "fuzzy" effects in my xVM installation....
You may now click on "Install":
The 30 GB zfs block volume appears as normal disk, use it:
After a while, Windows will restart. Don't be afraid about this fuzzy window appearance:
I don't know why the boot code garbles the window but after a little while, Windows just boots normally. End the installation.
This should appear:
At the end, you are asked to set a Administrator password:
After login, please type in a command shell:
bcdedit /set testsigning on
and then reboot immediately:
Result: Your desktop will have an annoying "TEST MODE" on it. Transfer the appropriate GPL PV driver file from
http://www.meadowcourt.org/downloads/
on your virtual machine (use an ISO image or transfer it via the slow realtek network emulation). I used the file
I don't know why the boot code garbles the window but after a little while, Windows just boots normally. End the installation.This should appear:
At the end, you are asked to set a Administrator password:After login, please type in a command shell:bcdedit /set testsigning on
and then reboot immediately:
Result: Your desktop will have an annoying "TEST MODE" on it. Transfer the appropriate GPL PV driver file fromhttp://www.meadowcourt.org/downloads/
on your virtual machine (use an ISO image or transfer it via the slow realtek network emulation). I used the file
gplpv_Vista2008x64_0.10.0.138.msi
Double click on the MSI and install:
I did a complete install, inkl Test Certificate (it is NEEDED!):
When asked, click on "Always trust software from "GPLPV_Test_Cert" and select "Install":
After installation wait some seconds, a "new devices are installed" balloon appears at screen and then you'll see two "reboot" screens. :-) Use the Microsoft one and click "Restart Now", otherwise you will see the same prompt again after rebooting...
And that's it. You have now a "XEN PV Disk" and a "Xen Network Device". Use it! Enjoy!
System Information:
I did a complete install, inkl Test Certificate (it is NEEDED!):When asked, click on "Always trust software from "GPLPV_Test_Cert" and select "Install":After installation wait some seconds, a "new devices are installed" balloon appears at screen and then you'll see two "reboot" screens. :-) Use the Microsoft one and click "Restart Now", otherwise you will see the same prompt again after rebooting...And that's it. You have now a "XEN PV Disk" and a "Xen Network Device". Use it! Enjoy!
System Information:
Thank you, men.
It works!
You're welcome, Anton!