This tutorial is to show you how to install the VirtIO drivers into a Windows VM running under Virtualization Station.
Note: Always have a backup of your VM. While I have tried to make sure I have documented all steps and highlight potential risk areas, I will not be responsible for any data loss.
Pre-Requisites:
- Virtualization Station 3.x installed (NOTE: these steps should work for VS 2.x as well, but the configuration screens may be different)
- Latest VirtIO ISO file from HERE copied to a Shared Folder on your QNAP
- Windows VM
For this tutorial, I downloaded the IE10 on Win7 - VirtualBox VM from HERE. If you already have an existing VM you can skip this section.
- Unzip the IE10 - Win7 VM you downloaded from MS into its own folder. You can either save this on your PC or store it in a shared folder on the NAS
- Choose Import VM located in the upper right part of the VS 3.x Overview screen
- Select PC or NAS (depending on where you saved the files from Step 1) and locate the OVA file. Click NEXT
- Configure your VM settings.
- VM Name: IE10 on Win7
- CPU Cores: 2 (adjust as needed for your system)
- Memory: 4GB (adjust as needed for your system)
- VM location:: <Select your Shared Folder>
- Click Import
VirtIO Installation:
Installing the VirtIO drivers takes a little bit of effort, but is worth the work.
Your VM should be Powered OFF prior to these next steps.
Updating your VM Configuration
In VS console, select Virtual Machines / <Your VM>
Click Settings and make the following changes
- (For Test VM users) General: Changes OS Type to Windows / Windows 7. Click APPLY
- Network: Change Model to VirtIO. Click APPLY
- Storage: Click Add Device in Upper Right corner.
- Interface: VirtIO
- Cache Mode: WriteBack
- Size: 1GB
- CD / DVD: Click the CD icon to the right of Image Path and point to the location where you saved the VirtIO ISO file (from Pre-Requisites). Click APPLY
- Video: Change Type to QXL. Click APPLY
- Power On your VM
After your VM is powered on, we will need to install the VirtIO drivers that are located on the ISO setup as a CD-ROM.
- Click on Start
- Right-Click on Computer > Manage
- Click on Device Manager
- Expand Other Devices(you should see several Yellow item)
- Right-Click on Ethernet Controller
- Update Driver Software
- Browse my computer for driver software
- Change location to you D:\ (your CD-ROM) and make sure Include subfolders is CHECKED
- Click NEXT
You will get a popup box after a couple seconds for installing the Ethernet driver. - CHECK Always trust software from "Red Hat, Inc."
- Click INSTALL
- Click CLOSE
Repeat the same process for the remaining items under Other devices[/] - PCI Device (VirtIO Balloon Driver)
- SCSI Device (RedHat VirtIO SCSI Controller)
- Close Device Manager
- Shutdown Windows
Configuring Boot HDD to use VirtIO and Cleanup
At this point we have all of the VirtIO drivers installed in Windows. Now we just need to reconfigure our Boot Hard Drive to use the new driver.
In VS console, select Virtual Machines / <Your VM>
Click Settings and make the following changes
NOTE: Be VERY careful on this next step to make sure you are choosing the correct HDD's.
- Storage:
On HDD 2 (the HDD we added earlier)- Click the right X to delete it from the VM.
- Click OK
On HDD 1- Change Interface to VirtIO
- Click OK
- Click APPLY
- CD / DVD:
- Click the right X to eject the ISO
- Click OK
- Power On your VM
You now have all the drivers installed to help you get the best performance out of your VM possible. Depending on your Windows installation, there may be several other optimizations within WIndows that can further improve your overall performance, but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial.
