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RE: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM

To: "Holger" <Age_M@xxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM
From: "Petersson, Mats" <Mats.Petersson@xxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 16:09:07 +0200
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Thread-topic: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Holger [mailto:Age_M@xxxxxx] 
> Sent: 07 June 2007 14:59
> To: Petersson, Mats
> Cc: xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM
> 
> 
> Hi there again ;)
> 
> Thanks for the reply, I think I get it now. So the only 
> problem is the 
> Mainboard. Do you think I am in a position to expect Gigabyte to fix 
> this? Is it my right to say "This is an AM2 mainboard, so you have to 
> build this feature into the bios?". I mean, virtualization is a key 
> feature of AM2, right?

Well, the KEY feature to processors that go into an AM2 is the ability
to use DDR2 memory (which for the same performance is less expensive
than DDR). It just so happens that we (AMD) choose to implement
virtualization features into the same product upgrade cycle, so AM2 is
an easy way to explain which processors have AMD-V or not.

And the other key point here is that before Rev G, it was very difficult
to disable AMD-V. In Rev G, it's one bit which is "sticky" (sticky means
that it can't be reset without resetting the entire processor) in one
register to disable AMD-V. 

There is ABSOLUTELY no reason why this shouldn't be fixable in the BIOS.


> I really hope, that I don't have to buy a new mainboard again :-/

Yes, I agree - although I would also say that if you bought the system
with the intention of running AMD-V, then it would be fair to say that
you should be able to take the motherboard back to the shop with a
complaint that "it doesn't do what it should be able to" based on not
being able to run AMD-V. [Being stricly legal, this is possibly beyond
what the legal definition of "fit for purpose" covers if you didn't
explicitly say to the retailer that you NEED the AMD-V feature - but I
still would attempt to get a replacement it on these grounds before just
buying a new motherboard]. 

--
Mats
> 
> Thanks for your detailed explanations ;)
> Greetz Holger
> 
> Petersson, Mats schrieb:
> >  
> >
> >   
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: xen-users-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> >> [mailto:xen-users-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Holger
> >> Sent: 07 June 2007 14:30
> >> To: xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Subject: Re: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM
> >>
> >> Hello Mats,
> >>
> >> I think I didn't really get the point in your statement.
> >>
> >> "please wait until the processors are available"
> >>     
> >
> > This was in reference to the NEW processors that are not yet on the
> > market - I can't really tell the general public about details of
> > processors that are not yet available - at least not if I want to
> > continue working for AMD... 
> >   
> >> What processors are you talking about?! My AMD AM2 3600+ X2 (65nm) 
> >> already has the AMD-V feature, right?!? And the Mainboard 
> already has 
> >> turned off this AMD-V feature, but I want to turn it ON 
> again, right?!
> >>     
> >
> > Aha! 65 nm is the Rev G model. I'm not sure, but I think 
> Rev G has the
> > ability to disable AMD-V. But your BIOS really should have a way to
> > ENABLE it if that's the case. [Most of the processors 
> currently on the
> > market are Rev F - I only saw the first Rev G myself the other day,
> > although I knew of their existance a long time ago]
> >   
> >> So, what do I have to do to get HVM support? New CPU? New 
> >> Mainboard?? Or 
> >> should I completely switch to Intel Core2Duo?
> >>     
> >
> > I'd suggest if Gigabyte isn't helping you (soon), you 
> should invest in a
> > different motherbaord. 
> >
> >   
> >> I am completely irritated now :-p
> >>     
> >
> > That wasn't my intention. Sorry for that. 
> >
> >   
> >> Greetz Holger
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Petersson, Mats wrote:
> >>     
> >>>  
> >>>
> >>>   
> >>>       
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: xen-users-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> >>>> [mailto:xen-users-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 
> >>>> Christian Horn
> >>>> Sent: 07 June 2007 09:14
> >>>> To: Tony Hoyle
> >>>> Cc: xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Xen-users] Xen 3.0.4.1 AMD-V HVM
> >>>>
> >>>> On Wed, Jun 06, 2007 at 08:02:38PM +0100, Tony Hoyle wrote:
> >>>>     
> >>>>         
> >>>>> Yes.  Some manufacturers actually do this (especially 
> >>>>>       
> >>>>>           
> >>>> laptops). It's 
> >>>>     
> >>>>         
> >>>>> possible a bios upgrade will reenable the option.
> >>>>>       
> >>>>>           
> >>>> Are you sure manufaturers can disable this for AM2-boards?
> >>>> For intel its well known, but for AMD..
> >>>>     
> >>>>         
> >>> I'll probably be told off for explaining this :-(
> >>>
> >>> Without going into "secrets", yes there is a way to "turn 
> off" AMD-V
> >>> with the BIOS, and no, you can't ask for more details 
> >>>       
> >> unless you have an
> >>     
> >>> NDA with AMD. It's also not possible to "re-enable it". 
> Although the
> >>> BIOS _SHOULD_ allow the enabling/disabling to be "user 
> selectable".
> >>>
> >>> Future versions have a more well-documented way to do this. Again,
> >>> unless you have an NDA with AMD, please wait until the 
> >>>       
> >> processors are
> >>     
> >>> available, and there will be more details available to everyone.
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Mats
> >>>   
> >>>       
> >>>> Christian
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> Xen-users mailing list
> >>>> Xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>     
> >>>>         
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> Xen-users mailing list
> >>> Xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
> >>>
> >>>   
> >>>       
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Xen-users mailing list
> >> Xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>     
> >
> >
> >   
> 
> 
> 
> 



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