Setting up ArchLinux in Hyper-V - no ethernet

Question

I'm a complete beginner to Linux and want to learn the environment. While trying to install Arch-Linux on a Hyper-V box using this tutorial, I hit an early obstacle with Ethernet: it doesn't seem to exist. ping -c 3 8.8.8.8 gives me an error along the lines of "cannot connect". The VM's network adapter is Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 Virtual Switch. How can I get this to work? Should I look into another distro first?

Solution

You should switch the Hyper-V VM to use a "legacy" network card, because there are often problems with the Kernel Modules (i.e. Device Drivers) to use Hyper-V's default network card.

Here's how to do it:

1. With the virtual machine turned off, open its "Settings" (either from Hyper-V manager, or from the VM Window)
2. In the "Hardware" list, click the existing network adapter, note its settings, and then click "Remove"
3. In the "Hardware" list, click "Add Hardware" at the top, then choose "Legacy Network Adapter" and click "Add"
4. Configure the new adapter with the settings you noted from the old one.
5. Save your changes and start the VM.

Comments

[MariusMatutiae]

Just a few comments. 1) Arch is difficult, if you are a beginner. It might be wise to use another distro, or problems like this will take up so much of your time. 2) Arch does not install well on Hyper-V, why don't you try VMWare or VirtualBox, for which the Arch Wiki has detailed instructions? 3) The Arch Wiki for installation on bare metal is particularly well-written, I strongly suggest you use that guide.

[detectivecalcite]

Thanks. What would a good first linux distro be?

[MariusMatutiae]

A good first distro is Ubuntu. It installs all by itself, has enormous number of extra applications in the repositories which will help you do everything you wish. From there you can start exploring. A year from now, you will want to switch to Arch.

[user1686]

By "Hyper-V's default network card", do you mean kernel/drivers/net/hyperv/hv_netvsc.ko ("description: Microsoft Hyper-V network driver")?

[Moshe Katz]

@grawity Yes. But I have found that it often doesn't work.

[rubenvb]

I lose my host internet connection when using the bridged connection (I five-double checked the "allow sharing" checkbox in your step 7). Do you have any idea why this might be?

[Anro]

@rubenvb That's pretty strange. Do you have any other Virtual Switches? You may want to check to make sure that you're getting a Virtual NIC in the host OS after you create the Virtual Switch. You can do this by opening command prompt and typing ipconfig /all and making sure you see an adapter connected to your new Virtual Switch. If it doesn't get created, try PM'ing me.