Hardware Secrets
Home | Camera | Case | CE | Cooling | CPU | Input | Memory | Mobile | Motherboard | Networking | Power | Storage | Video | Other
Content
Articles
First Look
Gabriel's Blog
News
Reviews
Tutorials
Main Menu
About Us
Awarded Products
Compare Prices
Datasheets
Dictionary
Download
Drivers
Forums
Links
Manufacturer Finder
Newsletter
On The Web
RSS Feed
Test Your Skills
Twitter
Newsletter
Subscribe today!
Search




Recommended
The Winn L. Rosch Hardware Bible, 6th Edition (2 Vol. Set)
The Winn L. Rosch Hardware Bible, 6th Edition (2 Vol. Set), by Winn L Rosch (Que), starting at $3.29
Home » CPU
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT) Explained
Author: Gabriel Torres
Type: Tutorials Last Updated: December 16, 2005
Page: 2 of 3
Real-time pricing for Intel BX80570E8500.
Intel BOXED CORE TM 2 DUO 3.16GHZ 6M 1333FSB - BX80570E8500 - RitzCamera.com
RitzCamera: $233.95 eCost: $214.99
ZipZoomFly: $189.99 PCNation: $216.66

How It Works

Processors with Virtualization Technology have an extra instruction set called Virtual Machine Extensions or VMX. VMX brings 10 new virtualization-specific instructions to the CPU: VMPTRLD, VMPTRST, VMCLEAR, VMREAD, VMWRITE, VMCALL, VMLAUCH, VMRESUME, VMXOFF and VMXON.

There are two modes to run under virtualization: root operation and non-root operation. Usually only the virtualization controlling software, called Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), runs under root operation, while operating systems running on top of the virtual machines run under non-root operation. Software running on top of virtual machines is also called “guest software”.

To enter virtualization mode, the software should execute the VMXON instruction and then call the VMM software. Then VMM software can enter each virtual machine using the VMLAUNCH instruction, and exit it by using the VMRESUME. If VMM wants to shutdown and exit virtualization mode, it executes the VMXOFF instruction.

Virtualization Technology
click to enlarge
Figure 4: Virtualization technology operation.

Each guest shown on Figure 4 can be a different operating system, running its own software (even several programs at the same time as we have shown on Figure 3).

Pages (3): « 1 [2] 3 »
Print Version | Send to Friend | | Bookmark Article | Comments (2)

Related Content
  • How to Overclock a Socket 775 Pentium 4
  • Inside Pentium 4 Architecture
  • All Pentium 4 Models
  • Intel Fab18 Factory Tour in Kiryat Gat, Israel
  • How to Upgrade Your CPU

  • Recommended Deal.
    Corsair CWCH50-1Corsair CWCH50-1

    Corsair Hydro H50 CPU Liquid Cooler - 120mm Fan Copper Cold Plate Aluminum Radiator LGA775 LGA1366 LGA1156 CWCH50-1 AM2/AM3 CWCH50-1

    CircuitCity: $79.99 Amazon: $79.99
    CompUSA: $89.99 TigerDirect: $79.99

    RSSLatest News
    Sparkle Announces 2 GB GeForce GT 220 Video Card
    March 19, 2010 - 10:17 AM PST
    PowerColor Launches HD 5770 Eyefinity 5 Video Card
    March 19, 2010 - 9:59 AM PST
    In Win Intros IRONCLAD Mid-Tower Case
    March 19, 2010 - 9:39 AM PST
    A-Data Intros 8 GB DDR3 Memory Kit
    March 17, 2010 - 3:40 PM PST
    Intel Launches Xeon 5600 Series and Core i7-980X Processor
    March 16, 2010 - 3:46 PM PST
    Intel Launches 40 GB X25-V SSD Drive
    March 15, 2010 - 1:43 PM PST
    Arctic Cooling Intros Cooler for Radeon HD 5970 and HD 5870
    March 12, 2010 - 12:19 PM PST
    OCZ Announces 32 GB Onyx SSD Unit
    March 10, 2010 - 4:08 PM PST
    MSI Launches X-Slim X360 Laptop
    March 9, 2010 - 4:15 PM PST
    Spire Launches TherMax Eclipse II CPU Cooler
    March 8, 2010 - 2:59 PM PST
    .:: More News ::.

    RSSLatest Content
    All Mobile Celeron Models
    Epson WorkForce 610 All-in-One Printer Review
    All Core i5 Models
    Mionix Naos 5000 Mouse Review
    Arctic Cooling E361-WM Earphones Review
    Don’t Let Your IT Projects Become Vaporware
    OCZ Z Series 850 W Power Supply Review
    HIS Radeon HD 5570 Fan Video Card Review
    Core i7-980X CPU Review
    Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler Review
    How to Discover Your Power Supply Real Manufacturer
    OCZ Z Series 1000 W Power Supply Review
    Amacrox Free Earth 85PLUS 650 W Power Supply Review
    ECS A890GXM-A Motherboard
    ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 Motherboard Review

    Our Most Popular Articles
    Maximum CPU Temperature
    1,155,331 views
    How to Find Out Your Motherboard Manufacturer and Model
    818,187 views
    nVidia Chips Comparison Table
    743,413 views
    Connecting Two PCs Using a USB-USB Cable
    672,770 views
    How To Correctly Apply Thermal Grease
    625,664 views
    AMD ATI Chips Comparison Table
    610,151 views
    ATI Radeon X1300 Pro Review
    506,766 views
    ATI Radeon X1600 XT Review
    494,439 views
    How To Perform a BIOS Upgrade
    443,659 views
    Understanding RAM Timings
    381,740 views

    Latest Threads in Our Forums
    Custom PC Help
    by thebigman101
    All Mobile Celeron Models
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    Sparkle Announces 2 GB GeForce GT 220 Video Card
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    PowerColor Launches HD 5770 Eyefinity 5 Video Card
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    In Win Intros IRONCLAD Mid-Tower Case
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    Corsair CX400W Power Supply Review
    by Olle P
    Epson WorkForce 610 All-in-One Printer Review
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    A-Data Intros 8 GB DDR3 Memory Kit
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    Epson WorkForce 610 All-in-One Printer
    by Hardware Secrets Team
    Mionix Naos 5000 Mouse Review
    by Mescalamba
    .:: Visit Our Forums ::.


    © 2004-10, Hardware Secrets, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Advertising | Legal Information | Privacy Policy
    All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST, GMT -08:00)