Pointers for Developing x86 Virtualization?

Posted by Cliff on Friday May 7, 2004 @04:54PM 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!"

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Read More Slowly by mcgroarty · 2004-05-07 16:54 · 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.