VM modules in kernel?

From: Mike A. Harris (mharris@meteng.on.ca)
Date: Fri Mar 24 2000 - 11:28:51 EST

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    An idea just occured to me about running virtual machine software
    under Linux. The vm86plus code or whatever it is currently
    called is great for DOSemu, and I presume WINE and other projects
    as well. Those projects do not modify kernel source so I assume
    the kernel has everything they need to run properly.

    I just read of the LGPL'ing of the Bochs source code, and it got
    me thinking...

    VMware adds open source modules to the kernel which are of course
    not supported by you folk, but are necessary for VMware to
    run. It would stand to reason also that for the Plex86 (formerly
    FreeMware) project to clone VMware in full, most likely they
    would need to use some sort of in-kernel stuff too, however since
    it is GPL there are likely less issues with linking, etc.. than
    with VMware.

    Is it possible that the Plex86 folk could get any needed kernel
    code into the standard kernel to perform the necessary things to
    implement their software without addon kernel patches like VMware
    uses? VMware could also theoretically benefit from such a thing
    being included in the kernel.

    I was thinking that faster VM speeds may be possible if the
    kernel can be tweaked more freely due to the GPL nature of the
    Plex86/bochs projects now.

    Anyways, I'm just tossing some ideas around. I'd love to be able
    to replace VMware with Plex86 ASAP. Recompiling separate VMware
    modules is a PITA every new kernel build.. ;o)

    Take care,
    TTYL 

    -- 
Mike A. Harris                                     Linux advocate     
Computer Consultant                                  GNU advocate  
Capslock Consulting                          Open Source advocate

    I've overclocked my keyboard interface.  It's quite messy dipping my
hands into the mineral oil, but *MAN* is my keyboard ever fast now!
                                         - Anonymous Coward

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