AMD Pacifica support?

[zorong]

Hello,

just wanted to know if VMware Server and/or VMware Workstion support AMDs Pacifica? I found a hint about VMware Server having experimental support for Intels Vanderpool, but nothing about AMDs Pacifica.

If there's no support yet, is there anything planned?

Thanks in advance!

(I hope the post is right here, couldn't find a really suitable category...)

[larstr · Accepted solution]

Currently there is no support for AMD-V in any of the VMware products, and it's not a high priority either as it won't give you any performance gain. Intel VT is also similar and it's fastest to use VMware's software VMM in 99,9999% of all situations.

Lars

[Anders]

Currently there is no support for AMD-V in any of the

VMware products, and it's not a high priority either

as it won't give you any performance gain.

We support it in the sence that you can execute a VM on a AMD-V enabled cpu.

There is no performance advantage in this first generation of cpu virtualization,

it's mostly about making it easier to code a virtual machine monitor.

The only reason we use Intel VT is the lack of segmented memory in 64 bit mode,

so for 64 bit guest OS's it's a requirment for Intel cpu's.

AMD support this so we continue to use our true and tested binary translator code.

Intel VT is also similar and it's fastest to use VMware's

software VMM in 99,9999% of all situations.

Actually is more of a draw. Take a look at the comparison white paper:

http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/resources/528

We have been contemplating a hybrid VMM

that chooses the fastest code path depending on what is executed,

but I think it's a waste to use several man years to get a very small performance boost.

Right now we're working very closely with both Intel and AMD,

on the next generation cpu virtualization, that looks very promising.

And, both AMD and Intel will launch support for memory virtualization this year,

and that looks like it will provide a significant performance boost for some workloads.

\- Anders

[zorong]

First off all, thanks for your replys!

The only reason we use Intel VT is the lack of segmented memory in 64 bit > mode,

so for 64 bit guest OS's it's a requirment for Intel cpu's.

AMD support this so we continue to use our true and tested binary

translator code.

A little bit OT:

1) Intels VT also needs to be supported by the BIOS - however you really don't find much informations, which chipsets support it.

Do you know where to find a useful list? I've now already spent several hours looking for a mainboard supporting ddr2 800 and intels vt at a price less than 100€...

2) And about AMD, do I understand it right, that no such special thing like BIOS support is required? E.g. when i buy an X2 AM2 CPU and a board, i can be sure i can use AMDs Pacifica while i can't be sure about this when buying a Core 2 Duo 6300 and a Board supporting a Core 2 Duo?

3) And can somebody tell me, if there is a really big difference between Core 2 Duo and X2 in virtualization?

(well, lets take a CPU from both companies for the same price, let's say a AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ (_{150 € here) and a Intel® Core 2 Duo E6300 (}170 € here).

Unfortunately you only find game benchmarks and such things, no virtualization benchmarks (and I'm only using my PC for working and virtualization, no gaming).

And, both AMD and Intel will launch support for

memory virtualization this year,

and that looks like it will provide a significant

performance boost for some workloads.

4) I thought AMD already has memory virtualization integrated?

Hope somebody can help me with these questions, as Intels VT doesn't seem to give you a really better performance and finding a suitable mainboard isn't that easy I'm thinking about taking an AMD cpu (and to my knowledge it already supports memory virtualization, but i read this in an older article about pacifica, not a specific amd cpu).

[Anders]

A little bit OT:

1) Intels VT also needs to be supported by the BIOS -

however you really don't find much informations,

which chipsets support it.

Do you know where to find a useful list? I've now

already spent several hours looking for a mainboard

supporting ddr2 800 and intels vt at a price less

than 100€...

Sadly, it's up to the mainboard vendor to enable it in the BIOS.

A royal pain in the.... behind. I've trapped in that situation. (thanks Dell!)

2) And about AMD, do I understand it right, that no

such special thing like BIOS support is required?

I do not know the situation regarding AMD.

E.g. when i buy an X2 AM2 CPU and a board, i can be

sure i can use AMDs Pacifica while i can't be sure

about this when buying a Core 2 Duo 6300 and a Board

supporting a Core 2 Duo?

You wont be using Pacifica with any of our products anyway.

For Intel you have to do some research to make sure you can use 64 bit guest OS.

3) And can somebody tell me, if there is a really big

difference between Core 2 Duo and X2 in

virtualization?

(well, lets take a CPU from both companies for the

same price, let's say a AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ (~150 €

here) and a Intel® Core 2 Duo E6300 (~170 € here).

Unfortunately you only find game benchmarks and such

things, no virtualization benchmarks (and I'm only

using my PC for working and virtualization, no

gaming).

There are microarchitectural differences, but I doubt if you notice any difference in speed.

They're both wicked fast!

And, both AMD and Intel will launch support for

memory virtualization this year,

and that looks like it will provide a significant

performance boost for some workloads.

4) I thought AMD already has memory virtualization

integrated?

I think they have tagged TLB, but it's nested page tables we're looking forward to.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32734

http://news.com.com/Intelfeedsvirtualizationsneedfor+speed/2100-1006_3-6048217.html

\- Anders

[larstr]

>2) And about AMD, do I understand it right, that no

such special thing like BIOS support is required?

yes, you've understood it correctly. AMD-V is not possible to disable in BIOS and does not require a specific BIOS setting to work.

Lars

[zorong]

Thanks for all your replys!

after all i'll now buy a amd x2 ee 4600+, cheaper than a C2D 6300 (well, probably slower, but like already written: still fast) and you also get cheaper mainboards supporting ddr2 800

unfortunately the amd cpu seems to get hotter (90nm instead of 65nm) 😞

You wont be using Pacifica with any of our products anyway.

For Intel you have to do some research to make sure you can use 64 bit

guest OS.

well, that was it what i was thinking of after i've heard that it won't bring you really more performance: getting at least 64bit guests running.

[admin]

zorong,

I understand that you are new to posting in these forums.

It is customary to give the users who reply to your posts with helpful and correct answers points by marking the responses as such.

Simply go to the post(s) in your thread that you found to your liking and press the "helpful" or "correct" buttons.

Doing this helps us all in a couple of ways.

#1 - It is easier for those searching for answers to find the correct or helpful answer to you.

#2 - The Folks that answer questions here like top get points. I know the points are not much for aiding so many users here, but it is all we get.

Good Luck and Happy Virtualizations.

[zorong]

didn't notice that, only the global settings (problem solved or not), however i've marked the posts now