Overview

This article describes how to create a new Windows Server (2019) Instance from an ISO in the zCompute Compute Cloud. The steps can also be used with the latest Server 2022 release (as of August 25th, 2021) by selecting the 2k19 SCSI driver.

(The latest version of virtio drivers has an installer to make installing device drivers simpler. As it is not stable it has not been included in these instructions)

Creating the Image

1. Create the Image

   1. From the zCompute Menu select the Images section under Applications

   2. Select Create ISO

   3. Input a (1)Name, ensure that (2)BIOS, is selected for firmware type, and click (4)Next

   4. Select Add Drivers

   5. Select URL (or ISO if local) then enter the following URLs for (1)OS Installation Disk (Windows ISOs ) and (2)Additional Drivers Disk (https://zadarastorage-software.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Windows-ISOs/virtio-win-1.9.15.iso) and select (3)Finish

Creating the Instance

1. After the instance has spawned Connect to the Instance

2. Continue with the Windows Server installation and when you get to the Installation Type select Custom

3. When prompted with where you want to install Windows select Load Driver

4. When prompted to Load Driver select Okay

5. Select the "Red Hat VirtIO SCSI controller (E:\amd64\w10\viostor.inf)" option and select Next and continue as normal with the rest of the Install

6. After Windows has been installed, log into Windows as Administrator

   1. Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager

   2. Right-click on Ethernet Controller and select Update driver

   3. Select Browse my computer for driver software

   4. Select (1)Browse, select the (2)CD Drive (virtio-win-x.x.x), select (3)OK, and then (4)Next

   5. When prompted by Windows Security select Install

   6. Repeat this process for the Display adapter and the Other Device → PCI Device

   7. Finally open Windows Explorer and install the QEmu agent