[Update: from Mike Sterling’s mail detailing the changes since version 3.1]

Microsoft released an updated version of Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V v3.2 and can be found here: http://207.46.154.156/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=216de3c4-f598-4dff-8a4e-257d4b7a1c12

When installed on a virtual machine that is running a supported Linux operating system, Linux Integration Services for Hyper-V provides the following functionality:

  • Driver support: Linux Integration Services supports the network controller and the IDE and SCSI storage controllers that were developed specifically for Hyper-V.
  • Fastpath Boot Support for Hyper-V: Boot devices now take advantage of the block Virtualization Service Client (VSC) to provide enhanced performance.
  • Time sync: 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.
  • Integrated Shutdown: Virtual machines running Linux can be shut down from either Hyper-V Manager or System Center Virtual Machine Manager by using the “Shut Down” command.
  • Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) Support: Supported Linux distributions can use up to 4 virtual processors (VP) per virtual machine. SMP support is not available for 32-bit Linux guest operating systems running on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008.
  • 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.
  • Integrated Mouse Support: The cursor is no longer bound to the VMConnect window when used with the Linux Graphical User Interface.

These are the changes since version 3.1:

  • Synthetic Mouse Support: The virtualized mouse device is no longer bound to the VMConnect window, and can now be used with a RDP session.
  • Merged Device Drivers: We now present a single device driver for both IDE and SCSI devices (hv_storvsc).
  • Windows 8 Fix: The synthetic network device (hv_netvsc) can now be used with a Windows 8 host, eliminating the hang on boot that was previously seen.
  • SCVMM Fix: This release fixes the issue as described in KB2586286.
  • Improved Setup Experience: Users now only need to run install.sh (as root) to automatically detect the correct architecture and install the appropriate drivers.

Supported guest operating systems:

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 and 6.1 x86 and x64 (up to 4 vCPUs)
  • CentOS 6.0 x86 and x64 (Up to 4 vCPU)

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 are also supported on Hyper-V but require this version of the Linux Integration Services: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=24247