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Pointers for Developing x86 Virtualization?

Posted by Cliff on from the how-does-VMWare-do-it? dept.

josh asks: "For my next project, I've decided I want to do something related to x86 virtualization (the way VMware does it or Plex86 not Xen/Bochs/etc.) but I really don't know where to start. Googling hasn't been helpful (just look at the results if you don't believe me). Are there any resources for learning about this kind of x86 virtualization? I know virtual 8086 mode wouldn't work, but without that what advantage does something like VMware have over something like Bochs? Are there any F/OSS projects aimed at something along the lines of my thinking? Please enlighten me with any references and resources you might have. Thanks!"

3 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. Read More Slowly by mcgroarty · · Score: 5, Informative
    Reread the second paragraph of the Plex86 page you linked to -- plex86 virtualizes like VMWare. It's not an emulator. bochs and plex86 were started by the same developer, and virtualization versus emulation is the difference between the two projects.

    Go to the plex86 page you linked to and download source. That's an excellent place to start. Apart from that, boning up on the difference between user and kernel modes and getting your hands on the free Intel developers' docs on the Intel website are about as good as it gets for this kind of learning.

  2. Get guides to the hardware you want to emulate by ChaseTec · · Score: 4, Informative

    Half of what you want is cpu documentation, Intel makes nice free guides to their 32 bit x86 cpus. Sometimes they even will send out the manuals free in book format, right now it looks like you can download them or order a free cd. Check back often because the free books(shipping free too) come and go. http://developer.intel.com/design/pentium4/manuals /index2.htm

    The other main half is BIOS info, check our Ralf Brown's int list: http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/ralf/p ub/WWW/files.html

    For the rest you just need lots docs about various hardware like floppy controllers and such, check out my site for OS developers since I probably have more links listed then anyone else. Besides this stuff you might want to re-include java in your google searches because most of the research into virtual machines that I've seen uses java but alot would still apply.

    --
    My Hello World is 512 bytes. But it's also a valid Fat12 boot sector, Fat12 file reader, and Pmode routine.
  3. Answer by runderwo · · Score: 4, Funny
    Pointers for Developing x86 Virtualization?
    Yes, I would strongly recommend their use.

    --
    LRC, the best-read libertarian site on the web