Re: [Xen-devel] Re: [ANNOUNCE] Xen high-performance x86 virtualization

[Keir Fraser]

> 
> Keir Fraser wrote:
> > Full recursion needs full virtualization. Our approach offers much
> > better performance in the situations where full virtualization isn't
> > required -- i.e., where it's feasible to distribute a ported OS.
> 
> I noticed that the SOSP Xen paper briefly mentions Jacques Gelinas' work
> on VServers (http://www.solucorp.qc.ca/miscprj/s_context.hc). While
> Jacques' work hasn't attracted as much public attention as other Linux
> virtualization efforts, I've personally found the approach and concepts
> quite fascinating. Among other things, most of the code implementing the
> contexts is architecture-independent (save for a few syscalls added to
> arch/*/kernel/entry.S). So, thinking aloud here, I'm wondering in what
> circumstances I'd prefer using something as architecture specific as
> Xen over something as architecture independent as Jacques' VServers?
> (Granted VServers can't run Windows, but I'm asking this from the angle
> of people looking for resource isolation in the Linux context.) Among
> other things, VServers are already in use by many ISPs to provide
> simultaneous hosting of many "virtual machines" on the same box while
> maintaining strict separation between machines and still providing a
> secure environment.

One of the main differences is that we provide resource isolation, so
that each virtual machine only gets the resources that its sponsor
paid for. This allows companies providing virtual servers to
provide differentiated service according to the amount paid.

 -- Keir
-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at  http://www.tux.org/lkml/