Red Hat Training

A Red Hat training course is available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux

4.2. Adding para-virtualized network devices

This section covers installation procedures for adding para-virtualized network devices. A key cause problems when not address is the original fully virtualized Realtek device must be disabled to allow the para-virtualized device to work properly. This devices appears in the Device Manager and Procedure 4.1, “Configuring additional para-virtualized network devices” describes how to remove it.

Procedure 4.1. Configuring additional para-virtualized network devices

  1. Follow the standard driver installation procedure from Chapter 3, Installing and configuring the para-virtualized drivers.
  2. Once the installation is complete and the para-virtualized drivers are activated, open Device Manager on your guest. Notice that there are two network devices: one labeled "rhelnet" and one labeled "Realtek". The Realtek device is the fully virtualized network device created by Xen. The Realtek device for the primary network interface should be marked disabled by the installation, if not disable it now.
  3. Shut down the guest before attaching additional network interface controllers.
  4. Add network interface controllers as required.
  5. Boot the guest and log in.
  6. Complete all "Install new hardware wizard" windows which appear after you have logged in.
  7. Open Device Manager. Two new network interface devices appear. Every new physical device has a "rhelnet" device and a "Realtek" device in Device Manager. Right click on every new Realtek device and select Disable.
  8. Your guest now uses the para-virtualized drivers for all network interface devices.
You must use Procedure 4.1, “Configuring additional para-virtualized network devices” every time you install additional physical network interface devices if you require the para-virtualized drivers for your guests.