14 DAY TRIAL // Version 3.1 of the Linux Integration Services Version for Hyper-V is now available for download
from Microsoft.
As was the case in the past, Linux Integration Services Version 3.1 for Hyper-V can be grabbed free of charge via the Microsoft Download Center.
The resources are essentially a collection of drivers “that enable synthetic device support in supported Linux virtual machines under Hyper-V,” Microsoft stated.
The drivers can be used with both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, but need to be installed in Linux virtual machines running on Hyper-V.
According to the software giant, Linux Integration Services Version 3.1 for Hyper-V are designed to play nice with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 and 6.1 x86 and x64 (up to 4 vCPU) and CentOS 6.0 x86 and x64 (also up to 4 vCPU).
The Redmond company stresses that Linux Integration Services Version 3.1 for Hyper-V comes with support for Hyper-v‘s network controller and the IDE and SCSI storage controllers.
In addition, the drivers also offer:
“Fastpath Boot Support for Hyper-V: Boot devices now take advantage of the block Virtualization Service Client (VSC) to provide enhanced performance.
Timesync: The clock inside the virtual machine will remain synchronized with the clock on the virtualization server with the help of the pluggable time source device.”
Once they deploy the drivers in their Linux virtual machines, IT professionals will be able to take advantage of Integrated Shutdown.
Provided that IT pros leverage System Center Virtual Machine Manager or at least Hyper-V Manager, they’ll be able to leverage the “Shut Down” command in order to close Linux vms.
Microsoft enumerated some extra features of Linux Integration Services Version 3.1 for Hyper-V, including:
“Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) Support: Supported Linux distributions can use up to 4 virtual processors (VP) per virtual machine.
Heartbeat: Allows the virtualization server to detect whether the virtual machine is running and responsive.
KVP (Key Value Pair) Exchange: Information about the running Linux virtual machine can be obtained by using the Key Value Pair exchange functionality on the Windows Server 2008 virtualization server.” Linux Integration Services Version 3.1 for Hyper-V are available for download here.