(1) Enable: System software enables HW VT and becomes a hypervisor

  • HW VT is implemented as an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) extension

    • Intel: Virtual Machine Extensions (VMX); branded as VT-x
    • AMD: Secure Virtual Machine (SVM) extension; branded as AMD-V

  • Steps to enter the host-mode from the traditional mode:

    1. Enable the feature (Intel: CR4.VMXE=1 / AMD: IA32_EFER.SVME=1)
    2. (Intel-only) Execute the VMXON instruction

  • Platform specific mode names

    Host-modeGuest-mode
    IntelVMX root operationVMX non-root operation
    AMD(Not named)Guest-mode