xen/virtualization

[Roger Oberholtzer]

On Thu, 2008-09-25 at 15:10 -0400, Ian Wilson wrote:
> > I thought Xen needed a kernel customized (as a minimum recompiled) to
> > run in Xen. That is, Xen does not run out-of-the-box things. Ever see
> > Xen run XP or Vista? Unless I am mistaken, this is not possible.
> 
> As long as you have a processor that supports hyperthreading, this is
> possible.  While Xen does require a special kernel, most of the
> distros that are current that I know of (Fedora/RHEL, Debian/Ubuntu)
> have a xen kernel that can be installed via package management.

So it is two requirements to run Xen: a CPU with hyperthreading, and a
Xen-aware kernel. So, no XP/Vista/UnixWare.

The reason I mentioned it in the first place was because of the claim
that VirtualBox was Xen in Sun clothing. I go not think this is the
case. VirtualBox does not have the previously stated requirements.

> 
> Check out:
> 
> http://ln-s.net/HQW
> 
> If you're really interested in testing out Xen, I highly recommend the
> book, "Running Xen: A Hands-On Guide to the Art of Virtualization," by
> Jeanna N. Matthews ( http://ln-s.net/2G4q )and grabbing the Xen LiveCD
> that lets you play with Xen in an environment that won't hurt
> anything.

SUSE, which I run, have had Xen support for a while. None of my CPUs, on
the other hand, do hyperthreading. So, I can't play Xen just yet!

-- 
Roger Oberholtzer

OPQ Systems / Ramböll RST

Ramböll Sverige AB
Kapellgränd 7
P.O. Box 4205
SE-102 65 Stockholm, Sweden

Office: Int +46 8-615 60 20
Mobile: Int +46 70-815 1696

And remember:

It is RSofT and there is always something under construction. 
It is like talking about large city with all constructions finished. 
Not impossible, but very unlikely.