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Re: [Xen-devel] Can VMWare modules run alongside in XEN kernel?

To: xen-devel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Xen-devel] Can VMWare modules run alongside in XEN kernel?
From: Mark Williamson <mark.williamson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:04:43 +0100
Cc: Peter Teoh <tthtlc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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> I would like to have VMware modules running in the XEN kernel, NOT in DOM0
> kernel but outside at the hypervisor level, is that possible?

Nope, afraid that can't work.  Xen doesn't provide all the facilities that a 
Linux kernel does, so it's not able to support Linux modules at all.  As you 
noticed, it also doesn't allow loadable modules...

The VMware modules really both need a) to run in ring0 (satisfied by your 
suggestion) and to b) be supported by a full host Linux kernel.  
Unfortunately, with Linux running in ring 1, whatever you do you are not 
going to be able to satisfy both of these :-(

Depending on what you're trying to do, you might find that some combination of 
QEmu, KVM, VMware, Xen and the various other virtualisers is able to serve 
your purpose better...

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!

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