what linux kernel is as host of vmware esx server version 3.5?

[taichan]

Hello ya'll,

1. We are planning to upgrade our Host Machines of VMware ESX Server from version 3.0.2 to 3.5.

We would like to know the linux kernel version of the version 3.0.2 compare to 3.5.

2. what is VMI?

many thanks in advance,

tai

[mcowger]

The kernel is a vmware kernel, not a standard linux one.

VMI is a technology that improves performance of guests (esp. for syscalls). Its a specific implmentation of paravirtualization.

--Matt

[Texiwill]

Hello,

1. We are planning to upgrade our Host Machines of VMware ESX Server from version 3.0.2 to 3.5.

We would like to know the linux kernel version of the version 3.0.2 compare to 3.5.

ESX is NOT hosted by a linux kernel, the linux kernel of the SC is hosted by the vmkernel. Specifically the SC runs as a Virtual Machine started by the vmkernel on boot. The kernel for the SC is RHEL3-U8 for 3.5 vs RHEL3-U6 for v3.0.2. Remember the SC is just a management appliance.

2. what is VMI?

VMI is the Virtual Machine Interface (http://www.vmware.com/interfaces/paravirtualization.html) and is a way for paravirtualized drivers to run within Guests. In Linux guests this is implemented in the latest kernels using paravirt_ops. The SC can not at the moment benefit from VMI, but 2.6.21 or later kernel versions for other Linux guests can.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[taichan]

Texiwill,

Thanks,

tai

[taichan]

Mcowger,

Thanks,

tai

[Gerrit_Lehr · Accepted solution]

If that is still interesting for you, the Linux Kernel Version of the Service Console running on ESX 3.5 (I assume it has not changed from 3.0x) is 2.4.21

Kind Regards,

Gerrit Lehr

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[petedr]

If you hadn't seen it here is a vmware link talking about VMI and paravirtualization

http://www.vmware.com/interfaces/paravirtualization.html

[taichan]

Sinac,

thanks,

tai

[taichan]

petedr,

thanks, appreciated!

tai

[Texiwill]

Hello Tai,

Please remember to award points as appropriate, it helps to reward members and keeps many of us going.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization