Q. How do I install the Hyper-V Linux Integration Components?

A. Once the Linux Integration Components for Hyper-V have been downloaded, you have to build and install them on the Linux installation. You can't just install from the Integration Components ISO because of all the differences in Linux distributions—the software has to be build for your particular Linux distribution.

First, you need to install the compilers (gcc and c++) and kernel source. This will vary by Linux distribution, but for SUSE you can use the Control Center and the Install Software option. Add kernel-source, gcc, and gcc-c++, as shown below.

Once the components are installed, you need to install and build the integration components. Insert the integration component ISO and run the commands below.

The Integration Components are now installed. You may need to perform other actions depending on the Linux distribution—you should follow the directions in the PDF file on the Microsoft Linux Integration Components site. With SUSE, you need to update the /etc/fstab file to use the Integration Components disk format (/dev/hdax instead of the default /dev/disk/by-id/ata-Virtual_HD-partx, as shown below in the before and after.)

If, like me, you're not used to Linux, you use the "vi" command to edit a file, e.g.

vi /etc/fstab

Once in the file, to insert new characters press the Insert key. Once you've finished making changes, press the Escape key. Then type

:wq!

to exit. This forces a save even if the file was read-only.

You also need to update the /boot/grub/menu.lst file with the new format for disk, as shown.

You now reboot Linux, and the new Virtual Service Clients (VSCs) for storage and network will be used. You can check that the VSCs are running, as shown below

/sbin/lsmod | grep vsc

Related Reading:

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