---
name: "hn"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/hn"
---

# hn(4)

Hyper-V Network Virtual Service Consumer

## NAME

**hv\_netvsc** – Hyper-V Network Virtual Service Consumer

## SYNOPSIS

To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following lines in the system kernel configuration file:

**device hyperv**

## DESCRIPTION

The **hv\_netvsc** driver implements the virtual network device for FreeBSD guest partitions running on Hyper-V. FreeBSD guest partitions running on Hyper-V do not have direct access to network devices attached to the Hyper-V server. Although a FreeBSD guest can access network devices using Hyper-V's full emulation mode, the performance in this mode tends to be unsatisfactory.

To counter the above issues, the **hv\_netvsc** driver implements a network Virtual Service Consumer (VSC) that relays network requests from the guest partition to the network Virtual Service Provider (VSP) hosted in the root partition using the high performance data exchange infrastructure provided by [hv\_vmbus(4)](/hv_vmbus/4.md) driver. The VSP in the root partition then forwards the network related requests to the physical network card.

## SEE ALSO

hv\_ata\_pci\_disengage(4), [hv\_storvsc(4)](/hv_storvsc/4.md), [hv\_utils(4)](/hv_utils/4.md), [hv\_vmbus(4)](/hv_vmbus/4.md)

## HISTORY

Support for **hv\_netvsc** first appeared in FreeBSD 10.0. The driver was developed through a joint effort between Citrix Incorporated, Microsoft Corporation, and Network Appliance Incorporated.

## AUTHORS

FreeBSD support for **hv\_netvsc** was first added by Microsoft BSD Integration Services Team ⟨*bsdic@microsoft.com*⟩.