[Xen-users] Re: XEN 3.4.1|HVM|physical disk access

[Christian Tramnitz <chris.ace@xxxxxxx>]

Tait Clarridge wrote:
> > Hello folks,
> >
> > i do not get access to a physical disk with xen. I would like to install
> > windows xp as hvm to the physical partition /dev/sdb1.
> >
> > I partioned the disk with cfdisk. Filesystem type is Linux (83). In my
> > eyes the filesystem using hvm is insignificant(?).
> >
> >
> > I tried the following configurations; probably a lot more than this.
> > #disk = [ 'phy:hda1,hda1,r' ] (comment from xmexample.hvm form /ect/xen)
> >
> > disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb1,sda,w' ]
> > disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb1,hda,w' ]
> > disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb1,ioemu:hda,w' ]
> > disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb1,ioemu:sda,w' ]
> >
> > The installation of windows comes up but the windows kernel does not
> > found any hard disk. I tried debian lenny and have gotten the same
> > effect so that i suppose there is something wrong with my configuration,
> > yet i do not see the point.
> >
> > I have compiled the newest xen-distribution from www.xen.org.
> >
> > Has anybody an idea?
> >
> > Thanks a lot,
> > Carsten
> If your disks are SATA I am assuming that perhaps your windows installation media doesn't have SATA drivers slipstreamed in. 
>
> Question to all: Does XEN always try to use IDE? Or if the physical disk is 
> SATA does it present the disk as a SATA drive?
>
> I am unsure because I tend to use disk image files so we can migrate domUs 
> between servers easier.
>
> Tait
Xen emulates an Intel IDE controller in ioemu mode that will be detected 
by any plain installation procedure, this is not the problem.
However I would suggest to allign full-disk vs. partition scheme when 
passing through the device, i.e.
disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb1,sda1,w' ]
- or -
disk = [ 'phy:/dev/sdb,sda,w' ]

But not taking a partition and present it as full disk.

Anyway, I'd suggest to start using xvda(1) from the very beginning and 
then install PV drivers as soon as the installation is completed.

Best regards,
   Christian


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