ESXi

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  • 1.  What is ESX / ESXi kernel name ? (Does Linux like kernel?)

    Posted Jan 08, 2011 05:53 AM

    Dear All

    Many my customers think ESX/ESXi use Linux kernel (or Linux kernel like , modify some thing)

    But I think that's wrong, I see some information mention ESX / ESXi  use the SimOS.

    My question was below:

    Does SimOS use Linux like kernel ?  or SimOS was a hole new kernel develop by VMware?

    Any story are very welcome.

    Thanks.



  • 2.  RE: What is ESX / ESXi kernel name ? (Does Linux like kernel?)
    Best Answer

    Posted Jan 08, 2011 06:05 AM

    The ESX(i) kernel is ofter referred to as the VMkernel.  This is a closed source application and it is not based on Linux. ESX(i) includes a Linux driver compatability mode (drivers still have to be compiled specifically for ESXi) and a number of open source apps and utilities that run on top of the VMkernel.  ESX has a Linux service console which provides management access to the VMkernel, but that does not exist in ESXi.  ESXi uses Busybox for common console commands.  Busybox is compiled as a single file and is used within the VMkernel console of ESXi but it isn't the equivalent to the service console of ESX.



  • 3.  RE: What is ESX / ESXi kernel name ? (Does Linux like kernel?)

    Posted Jan 08, 2011 06:22 AM

    Thank you for such a clear answer.  :-)



  • 4.  RE: What is ESX / ESXi kernel name ? (Does Linux like kernel?)

    Posted Jan 08, 2011 11:20 AM

    Dear's

    Does ESX / ESXi was SimOS? (or modify from SimOS)



  • 5.  RE: What is ESX / ESXi kernel name ? (Does Linux like kernel?)

    Posted Jan 08, 2011 06:37 PM

    There is certainly the possibility that the basic research ultimately lead to ESX(i). http://www.vmware.com/company/leadership.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimOS Since SimOS was specifically for MIPS-based multiprocessors it would have required ground up re-engineering for the x86 platform.