This thread from December got into the issue of how to locate VT hardware... but never discussed the software side. I recently posted details about how you can acquire Intel Presler Pentium D 9xx series chips with both 64-bit and VT capability (and only $300 for dual core CPU). Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0? Is 64-bit Windows supported or only 32-bit? thank you. Stephen Gutknecht Full time traveler _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Dirk H. Schulz
2006-Jan-12 09:05 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
Since VT enabled processors are on their way out to the real world, this question is VERY, VERY interesting. Is there any info the Xen Gurus could share with us (Ian, William, Antoni, et al.)? PLEASE! I cannot even sleep anymore dreaming of all the possibilities - these are interesting times. :-) Dirk Art Arica3D schrieb:>This thread from December got into the issue of how to locate VT >hardware... but never discussed the software side. I recently posted >details about how you can acquire Intel Presler Pentium D 9xx series >chips with both 64-bit and VT capability (and only $300 for dual core >CPU). > >Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows >Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0? > >Is 64-bit Windows supported or only 32-bit? > >thank you. > > Stephen Gutknecht > Full time traveler > >_______________________________________________ >Xen-users mailing list >Xen-users@lists.xensource.com >http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users > >_______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Daniel Goertzen
2006-Jan-12 14:13 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
The manual now has a section on this... I don''t remember seeing it a few weeks ago. http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/Research/SRG/netos/xen/readmes/user/user.html#SECTION04300000000000000000 Dan. Dirk H. Schulz wrote:> Since VT enabled processors are on their way out to the real world, > this question is VERY, VERY interesting. > > Is there any info the Xen Gurus could share with us (Ian, William, > Antoni, et al.)? > > PLEASE! > > I cannot even sleep anymore dreaming of all the possibilities - these > are interesting times. :-) > > Dirk > > Art Arica3D schrieb: > >> This thread from December got into the issue of how to locate VT >> hardware... but never discussed the software side. I recently posted >> details about how you can acquire Intel Presler Pentium D 9xx series >> chips with both 64-bit and VT capability (and only $300 for dual core >> CPU). >> >> Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows >> Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0? >> >> Is 64-bit Windows supported or only 32-bit? >> >> thank you. >> >> Stephen Gutknecht >> Full time traveler >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Xen-users mailing list >> Xen-users@lists.xensource.com >> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users >> >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Xen-users mailing list > Xen-users@lists.xensource.com > http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users > >_______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Mark Williamson
2006-Jan-14 16:31 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
Apologies for the delay in replying...> Since VT enabled processors are on their way out to the real world, this > question is VERY, VERY interesting.Yep. Eventually it should just be a standard feature on everybody''s PC.> Is there any info the Xen Gurus could share with us (Ian, William, > Antoni, et al.)?Xen will build with VT support enabled by default AFAIK. You setup a paravirtualised Linux dom0 as usual. Once you''ve got dom0 up and Xend running (just like a normal install) you create a VT-x config file - there''s an example in the distribution (you''ll just need to tweak some options). Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it to boot off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso thereof). Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the virtual hard disk, and you''ll be able to run Windows. There is a more complete walkthrough of configuring VT in the manual (either online, or in the latest hg sources).> PLEASE!HTH Cheers, Mark> I cannot even sleep anymore dreaming of all the possibilities - these > are interesting times. :-) > > Dirk > > Art Arica3D schrieb: > >This thread from December got into the issue of how to locate VT > >hardware... but never discussed the software side. I recently posted > >details about how you can acquire Intel Presler Pentium D 9xx series > >chips with both 64-bit and VT capability (and only $300 for dual core > >CPU). > > > >Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows > >Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0? > > > >Is 64-bit Windows supported or only 32-bit? > > > >thank you. > > > > Stephen Gutknecht > > Full time traveler > > > >_______________________________________________ > >Xen-users mailing list > >Xen-users@lists.xensource.com > >http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users > > _______________________________________________ > Xen-users mailing list > Xen-users@lists.xensource.com > http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users-- Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no pedals! Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard? Dave: Skateboards have wheels. Mark: My wheel has a wheel! _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
I was trying to get the Intel 662 and 672 .. but no luck. Any idea when they will "really" be out? Thanks, Tomas Mark Williamson wrote:> Apologies for the delay in replying... > > >> Since VT enabled processors are on their way out to the real world, this >> question is VERY, VERY interesting. >> > > Yep. Eventually it should just be a standard feature on everybody''s PC. > > >> Is there any info the Xen Gurus could share with us (Ian, William, >> Antoni, et al.)? >> > > Xen will build with VT support enabled by default AFAIK. You setup a > paravirtualised Linux dom0 as usual. Once you''ve got dom0 up and Xend > running (just like a normal install) you create a VT-x config file - there''s > an example in the distribution (you''ll just need to tweak some options). > > Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it to boot > off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso thereof). > Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the virtual hard disk, > and you''ll be able to run Windows. > > There is a more complete walkthrough of configuring VT in the manual (either > online, or in the latest hg sources). > > >> PLEASE! >> > > HTH > > Cheers, > Mark > > >> I cannot even sleep anymore dreaming of all the possibilities - these >> are interesting times. :-) >> >> Dirk >> >> Art Arica3D schrieb: >> >>> This thread from December got into the issue of how to locate VT >>> hardware... but never discussed the software side. I recently posted >>> details about how you can acquire Intel Presler Pentium D 9xx series >>> chips with both 64-bit and VT capability (and only $300 for dual core >>> CPU). >>> >>> Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows >>> Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0? >>> >>> Is 64-bit Windows supported or only 32-bit? >>> >>> thank you. >>> >>> Stephen Gutknecht >>> Full time traveler >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Xen-users mailing list >>> Xen-users@lists.xensource.com >>> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Xen-users mailing list >> Xen-users@lists.xensource.com >> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users >> > >_______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Mogens Valentin
2006-Jan-16 12:59 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
Mark Williamson wrote:> > Xen will build with VT support enabled by default AFAIK. You setup a > paravirtualised Linux dom0 as usual. Once you''ve got dom0 up and Xend > running (just like a normal install) you create a VT-x config file - there''s > an example in the distribution (you''ll just need to tweak some options). > > Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it to boot > off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso thereof). > Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the virtual hard disk, > and you''ll be able to run Windows.To what avail? Being able to install unmodified non-graphical (server)systems is a fine thing; graphical systems like W2K3/XP is another talk. No Xen-aware video drivers are available. In a couple of threads, I''ve argued that Nvidia is interested in developing such a driver, but won''t do it until deemed nessesary. It will only happen with applied pressure. Has the basic framebuffer problem been solved, i.e, can a graphical installer even run? My take is, with VRM/VT available, expected sometime april/may, it''s all possible HW/Xen wise, but the graphical part will have a long way to go. Jacob''s OpenGL-based graphics-on-domU''s work in progress may be the only working solution, and may at least enable use of graphical-oriented servers and ditto gui administrated apps. Not so sure about things like XP performance, but it may permit XP in a integration testing scenario.>>Art Arica3D schrieb: >> >>>Does anyone have tips or experience to share on installing Windows >>>Server 2003 or Windows XP SP2 under Xen 3.0?-- Kind regards, Mogens Valentin _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Mark Williamson
2006-Jan-16 14:45 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
> > Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it to > > boot off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso thereof). > > Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the virtual hard > > disk, and you''ll be able to run Windows. > > To what avail? > Being able to install unmodified non-graphical (server)systems is a fine > thing; graphical systems like W2K3/XP is another talk. > No Xen-aware video drivers are available. In a couple of threads, I''ve > argued that Nvidia is interested in developing such a driver, but won''t > do it until deemed nessesary. It will only happen with applied pressure.There are three aspects here: 1) Xen-aware drivers for dom0 (i.e. drivers which understand discontiguous physical memory). This wouldn''t be such a problem if the driver wasn''t closed-source. I believe this is what you''re referring to. Graphics cards work fine in dom0 in VESA mode, many properly accelerated drivers also work OK. 2) Xen-aware drivers for guests (so that guests can get maximal video performance). This is relevant for both paravirtualised and fully virtualised guests. 3) Emulating a real hardware video card so that fully virtualised guests can use the display.> Has the basic framebuffer problem been solved, i.e, can a graphical > installer even run?Fully virtualised guests have 3) an emulated video card. So yes, they "display" to either an X Window in dom0, or to a VNC server that can export their screen over the network. Don''t expect huge graphical performance from this emulation, though.> My take is, with VRM/VT available, expected sometime april/may, it''s all > possible HW/Xen wise, but the graphical part will have a long way to go. > Jacob''s OpenGL-based graphics-on-domU''s work in progress may be the only > working solution, and may at least enable use of graphical-oriented > servers and ditto gui administrated apps. Not so sure about things like > XP performance, but it may permit XP in a integration testing scenario.There''s a load of additional work underway in order to provide higher performance graphics to both dom0s and domUs. In addition, we''re hoping to get functional dom0 drivers distributed by NVidia and friends at some stage. Cheers, Mark -- Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat? And no pedals! Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard? Dave: Skateboards have wheels. Mark: My wheel has a wheel! _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Mogens Valentin wrote:> Mark Williamson wrote: >> Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it >> to boot off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso >> thereof). Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the >> virtual hard disk, and you''ll be able to run Windows. > > > To what avail? > Being able to install unmodified non-graphical (server)systems is a fine > thing; graphical systems like W2K3/XP is another talk. > No Xen-aware video drivers are available.Yes, but basic VGA hardware emulation (borrowed from QEMU, IIRC) *is*. It doesn''t perform well enough for gamers or the like, but for servers it should be fine. Xen-aware drivers are only necessary if you''re actually looking for performance. _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
Mogens Valentin
2006-Jan-17 10:29 UTC
Re: [Xen-users] How to run Windows on Xen 3.0 with VT
Mark Williamson wrote:>>>Because it''s full virtualisation, you should be able to configure it to >>>boot off a CD ROM, then just boot your install CD (or an iso thereof). >>>Subsequently, you can change the default boot drive to the virtual hard >>>disk, and you''ll be able to run Windows. >> >>To what avail? >>Being able to install unmodified non-graphical (server)systems is a fine >>thing; graphical systems like W2K3/XP is another talk. >>No Xen-aware video drivers are available. In a couple of threads, I''ve >>argued that Nvidia is interested in developing such a driver, but won''t >>do it until deemed nessesary. It will only happen with applied pressure.> There are three aspects here: > 1) Xen-aware drivers for dom0 (i.e. drivers which understand discontiguous > physical memory). This wouldn''t be such a problem if the driver wasn''t > closed-source. I believe this is what you''re referring to.Exactly. Now, closed/open... While I don''t known enough about current binary-mostly, (partly) OSS kernel module, drivers, like Nvidia, but I''m thinking: It''s not likely Nvidia et al will open drivers, but maybe they could be pursuaded to place as much functionality as possible (without disclosing the intricates of the GPU) into an OSS kernel module, thereby enabling Xen developers to adapt that part of the code, leaving less work to Nvidia on the (X) binary module. Just an idea...> Graphics cards work fine in dom0 in VESA mode, many properly accelerated> drivers also work OK. I only knew VESA worked. I would prefer not having to do too much work in dom0 (applies to 2) below). I don''t seek the impossible, though ;)> 2) Xen-aware drivers for guests (so that guests can get maximal video > performance). This is relevant for both paravirtualised and fully > virtualised guests. > 3) Emulating a real hardware video card so that fully virtualised guests can > use the display. > > >>Has the basic framebuffer problem been solved, i.e, can a graphical >>installer even run? > > > Fully virtualised guests have 3) an emulated video card. So yes, they > "display" to either an X Window in dom0, or to a VNC server that can export > their screen over the network. Don''t expect huge graphical performance from > this emulation, though.> >>>My take is, with VRM/VT available, expected sometime april/may, it''s all >>possible HW/Xen wise, but the graphical part will have a long way to go. >>Jacob''s OpenGL-based graphics-on-domU''s work in progress may be the only >>working solution, and may at least enable use of graphical-oriented >>servers and ditto gui administrated apps. Not so sure about things like >>XP performance, but it may permit XP in a integration testing scenario. > > There''s a load of additional work underway in order to provide higher > performance graphics to both dom0s and domUs. In addition, we''re hoping to > get functional dom0 drivers distributed by NVidia and friends at some stage.Sounds good. Have you actually -heard- from Nvidia? Last time I wrote in the thread on nvnews, they replied that the RFE had been scheduled as a workunit to be looked into when deemed apropriate. AFAIK, Nvidia are the only ones to actually have opened an RFE on this. That itself is much preferable to no reaction, but ''we'' need to keep telling them to do something about it. I''m fully aware that Xen is foremost being developed as a server solution, and rightly so. The Xen workstation is a sweet dream, though. -- Kind regards, Mogens Valentin _______________________________________________ Xen-users mailing list Xen-users@lists.xensource.com http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users