Hardware virtualization trends

Abstract

As Intel is rolling out its Vanderpool processor virtualization technology and AMD its Secure Virtual Machine technology, we are only seeing the first wave of processor virtualization assists. Over the next few years the x86 space will change dramatically. We will see the introduction of massive multi-core, 64-bit, 2 nd generation processor virtualization capabilities, I/O isolation capabilities, and hardware security assists. Both Intel and AMD are differentiating their processors by providing enhancements that enable you to run multiple virtual machines in such a way that the guest is unaware that it is being virtualized. Ironically, largely because these technologies have been unavailable for so long, Linux and Windows are going into a different direction: paravirtualization. With paravirtualization the guest operating system collaborates closely with the virtual machine monitor through a set of well defined software interfaces. This approach does not require any new hardware features at all and has the potential of performing much better. So, this raises an interesting dilemma: Some of the new virtualization capabilities may already be obsolete before they are brought to market. In this talk I will discuss the new virtualization technologies that will be introduced over the next few years, how they help virtualization, what challenges they pose and how these virtualization technologies will likely consolidate.