How to Run Windows in `bhyve` on FreeBSD Operating System

Introduction

FreeBSD is a powerful, open-source Unix-like operating system known for its advanced networking, performance, and security features. One of its standout capabilities is the bhyve (BSD Hypervisor), a type-2 hypervisor that allows users to run virtual machines (VMs) on FreeBSD. While bhyve is often used to run other Unix-like operating systems, it is also capable of running Windows as a guest operating system. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to run Windows in bhyve on FreeBSD, covering everything from installation to configuration and optimization.

Understanding bhyve

bhyve is a hypervisor that was introduced in FreeBSD 10.0. It is designed to be lightweight and efficient, leveraging hardware virtualization features like Intel VT-x and AMD-V. Unlike traditional hypervisors, bhyve does not require a full-fledged host operating system; instead, it runs directly on the FreeBSD kernel. This makes it an excellent choice for users who want to run VMs with minimal overhead.

Key Features of bhyve

• Hardware Virtualization Support: bhyve utilizes Intel VT-x and AMD-V to provide near-native performance for VMs.
• Lightweight: bhyve is integrated into the FreeBSD kernel, reducing the need for additional software layers.
• Flexibility: It supports a wide range of guest operating systems, including FreeBSD, Linux, and Windows.
• Networking: bhyve offers various networking options, including bridged, NAT, and host-only networking.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

1. FreeBSD Installation: You should have a working installation of FreeBSD 10.0 or later. The latest stable release is recommended for the best performance and compatibility.

2. Hardware Virtualization Support: Ensure that your CPU supports Intel VT-x or AMD-V. You can check this by running the following command:

   grep VT-x /var/run/dmesg.boot
   

   If the output includes VT-x, your CPU supports hardware virtualization.

3. Sufficient Resources: Running a Windows VM requires adequate CPU, memory, and disk space. Allocate at least 2 CPU cores, 4 GB of RAM, and 20 GB of disk space for a basic Windows installation.

4. Administrative Privileges: You will need root or sudo access to configure and run bhyve.

Step 1: Install bhyve and Related Tools

bhyve is included in the FreeBSD base system, but you will need to install additional tools to manage VMs effectively. The vm-bhyve package is a popular choice for managing bhyve VMs.

1. Update Your System: Ensure your FreeBSD system is up to date.

   sudo freebsd-update fetch install
   sudo pkg update
   sudo pkg upgrade
   

2. Install vm-bhyve:

   sudo pkg install vm-bhyve
   

3. Enable bhyve at Boot: Add the following lines to /etc/rc.conf to enable bhyve and vm-bhyve at boot:

   vm_enable="YES"
   vm_dir="zfs:zroot/vm"
   

   Replace zroot/vm with the appropriate ZFS dataset or directory where you want to store your VMs.

4. Initialize vm-bhyve:

   sudo vm init
   sudo cp /usr/local/share/examples/vm-bhyve/* /vm/.templates/
   

Step 2: Configure Networking for bhyve

Networking is a crucial aspect of running VMs. bhyve supports several networking modes, including bridged, NAT, and host-only. For most users, bridged networking is the preferred option as it allows the VM to appear as a separate device on the network.

1. Create a Bridge Interface: Edit /etc/rc.conf to create a bridge interface:

   cloned_interfaces="bridge0"
   ifconfig_bridge0="addm em0 up"
   

   Replace em0 with your physical network interface.

2. Restart Networking:

   sudo service netif restart
   

3. Configure vm-bhyve to Use the Bridge: Edit the vm-bhyve configuration file to use the bridge interface:

   sudo vm switch create public
   sudo vm switch add public bridge0
   

Step 3: Prepare the Windows ISO

To install Windows in bhyve, you will need a Windows installation ISO file. You can download the ISO from the official Microsoft website or use an existing one.

1. Download the Windows ISO: Obtain the Windows ISO file from the official Microsoft website or another trusted source.

2. Upload the ISO to FreeBSD: Transfer the ISO file to your FreeBSD system. You can use scp or any other file transfer method.

3. Store the ISO in the vm-bhyve Directory: Place the ISO in the vm-bhyve ISO directory:

   sudo mv /path/to/windows.iso /vm/iso/
   

Step 4: Create and Configure the Windows VM

With the prerequisites in place, you can now create and configure the Windows VM.

1. Create the VM:

   sudo vm create -s 20G -i /vm/iso/windows.iso windows-vm
   

   This command creates a new VM named windows-vm with a 20 GB disk and assigns the Windows ISO as the installation media.

2. Configure the VM: Edit the VM configuration file to allocate resources and set up networking:

   sudo vm configure windows-vm
   

   Add the following lines to the configuration file:

   loader="uefi"
   cpu=2
   memory=4G
   network0_type="virtio-net"
   network0_switch="public"
   disk0_type="virtio-blk"
   disk0_name="disk0.img"
   

3. Start the VM:

   sudo vm start windows-vm
   

4. Connect to the VM Console: Use the following command to connect to the VM console and begin the Windows installation:

   sudo vm console windows-vm
   

Step 5: Install Windows

Once the VM starts, you will be presented with the Windows installation screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. The installation process is similar to installing Windows on a physical machine.

1. Select Installation Options: Choose your language, time, and keyboard preferences, then click “Next.”

2. Install Now: Click “Install now” to begin the installation process.

3. Enter Product Key: Enter your Windows product key when prompted. If you don’t have a product key, you can skip this step and activate Windows later.

4. Select Installation Type: Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” to perform a clean installation.

5. Partition the Disk: Select the virtual disk and click “Next” to begin the installation.

6. Complete the Installation: Follow the remaining prompts to complete the Windows installation. The VM will reboot several times during the process.

Step 6: Install Virtio Drivers

To achieve optimal performance, install the Virtio drivers for network and disk interfaces. Virtio drivers are paravirtualized drivers that provide better performance compared to emulated devices.

1. Download Virtio Drivers: Download the latest Virtio drivers from the Fedora project:

   wget https://fedorapeople.org/groups/virt/virtio-win/direct-downloads/stable-virtio/virtio-win.iso
   

2. Attach the Virtio ISO to the VM: Edit the VM configuration file to attach the Virtio ISO:

   sudo vm configure windows-vm
   

   Add the following line:

   disk1_type="ahci-cd"
   disk1_name="/vm/iso/virtio-win.iso"
   

3. Install the Drivers: Boot into Windows and open the Device Manager. Locate the devices with missing drivers (usually under “Other devices”) and update their drivers using the Virtio ISO.

Step 7: Optimize the Windows VM

After installing Windows and the Virtio drivers, you can further optimize the VM for better performance.

1. Enable Remote Desktop: Enable Remote Desktop to manage the VM remotely.

   • Open “System Properties” and go to the “Remote” tab.
   • Select “Allow remote connections to this computer.”

2. Install Guest Additions: While bhyve does not have guest additions like VirtualBox or VMware, you can still optimize the VM by disabling unnecessary services and features.

3. Allocate More Resources: If your host system has additional resources, consider allocating more CPU cores and memory to the VM for better performance.

Conclusion

Running Windows in bhyve on FreeBSD is a powerful way to leverage the strengths of both operating systems. By following this guide, you can set up a Windows VM with near-native performance, taking advantage of FreeBSD’s robust networking and security features. Whether you’re a developer, system administrator, or enthusiast, bhyve offers a flexible and efficient solution for running Windows on FreeBSD. With proper configuration and optimization, you can create a seamless virtualized environment that meets your needs.