Wednesday, 6 Jun, 2012 Assumptions. This guide is built assuming the following software: Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 SP1 with the Hyper-V Role enabled. CentOS-6.2-x86_64-minimal.iso. Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V 3.2. Download CentOS-minimal. The first thing to do is download an updated CentOS-minimal distribution. I suggest you get the x64 build because Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 works natively on 64bit CPUs only. CentOS-6.2-x86_64-minimal is a RedHat derivative, so it is supported by the Hyper-V Host and by the Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V (version 3.2 at the moment of this writing). You can download CentOS-6.2-x86_64-minimal.iso from the following address: http://isoredirect.centos.org/centos/6/isos/x86_64/ Remember to download "CentOS-minimal" (NOT CentOS-network - refer to the note below why not), because: Is the smallest (after CentOS-network). It allows you to have a full OS up-and-running without depending on the network configuration. Then store it somewhere where it makes sense for you, say D:\LINUX\ Download Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V. Once we're at downloading, fetch the latest Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V from Microsoft. The latest version, at the time of this writing, was version 3.2 and can be downloaded from the following address: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28188 Save it to where you can find it! That's all for the "downloading part". Over the next article I'll show you how to create a new CentOS VM inside your Hyper-V Host. CentOS-network Note. Please note that even if CentOS-network is actually smaller than CentOS-minimal, if you try and follow my guide with CentOS-network, you won't be able to proceed with the setup process, because CentOS-network isn't able to recognize the Hyper-V network adapters (not the Legacy nor the Synthetic one). This happens because CentOS-network (as the name suggests) depends on the network for the successful installation process. CentOS-minimal, instead, does not depend on the network and offers you a booting environment straight away. Been there, done that 😉 This is what is gonna happen if you attempt to follow my guide with CentOS-network. You've been warned... Rate this post Andrea MatesiSenior Professional Network and Computer Systems Engineer during work hours and father when home. Andrea strives to deliver outstanding customer service and heaps of love towards his family. In this Ad-sponsored space, Andrea shares his quest for "ultimate" IT knowledge, meticulously brought to you in an easy to read format. Share this:LinkedIn Related