Vol 1

Intel® Xeon® Product 2800/4800/8800 v2 Product Family 23
Datasheet Volume One, February 2014
Technologies
2 Technologies
2.1 Intel
®
Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT)
Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) makes a single system appear as multiple
independent systems to software. This allows multiple, independent operating systems
to run simultaneously on a single system. Intel VT comprises technology components
to support virtualization of platforms based on Intel architecture microprocessors and
chipsets.
• Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) for Intel® 64 and IA-32 Intel®
Architecture (Intel® VT-x) adds hardware support in the processor to improve the
virtualization performance and robustness. Intel VT-x specifications and functional
descriptions are included in the Intel® 64 and IA-32 Architectures Software
Developer’s Manual, Volume 3B and is available at
http://www.intel.com/products/processor/manuals/index.htm
• Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) for Directed I/O (Intel® VT-d) adds
processor implementations to support and improve I/O virtualization performance
and robustness. The Intel VT-d spec and other Intel VT documents can be
referenced at http://www.intel.com/technology/virtualization/index.htm
2.1.1 Intel
®
VT-x Objectives
Intel VT-x provides hardware acceleration for virtualization of IA platforms. Virtual
Machine Monitor (VMM) can use Intel VT-x features to provide improved reliable
virtualized platform. By using Intel VT-x, a VMM is:
• Robust: VMMs no longer need to use para-virtualization or binary translation. This
means that they will be able to run off-the-shelf OS’s and applications without any
special steps.
• Enhanced: Intel VT enables VMMs to run 64-bit guest operating systems on IA x86
processors.
• More reliable: Due to the hardware support, VMMs can now be smaller, less
complex, and more efficient. This improves reliability and availability and reduces
the potential for software conflicts.
• More secure: The use of hardware transitions in the VMM strengthens the isolation
of VMs and further prevents corruption of one VM from affecting others on the
same system.