Re: [Xen-users] Recommendations for Virtulization Hardware

[Robert Rust <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 9/26/12 8:34 PM, ShadesOfGrey wrote:
> On 09/24/2012 08:49 AM, Robin Axelsson wrote:
> > On 2012-09-24 05:45, ShadesOfGrey wrote:
> > > Sorry for the late response, I've had a lot to digest.
> <snip>
> > > The lack of current information about Xen (and KVM) online has been
> > > frustrating — especially finding the many proof of concept videos
> > > that demonstrated possibilities but offered no real specifics.
> > > Looking for specifics, I sought information from gaming and
> > > enthusiast sites; I figured finding confirmation of VT-d and AMD-Vi
> > > support on such sites would be more likely. However, I found that
> > > wasn't often the case. I did determine that ASRock motherboards seem
> > > to be the most likely to support VT-d, ASUS least likely (unless
> > > equipped with an Intel 'sanctioned' VT-d chipset). I had narrowed my
> > > choices to two motherboards that appear to offer VT-d support and was
> > > intending to contact the manufacturer before purchase. Both choices
> > > are a bit pricey and I've been reconsidering whether I should look to
> > > other motherboards to reduce costs.
> > Some motherboards support IOMMU even though it is not found in the
> > user manual or specified on the website. Your best bet is to ask
> > customer support. A guy posted here that he got it working on an Intel
> > motherboard that doesn't even have options for it in the BIOS, so it
> > seems that in some cases it is only up to the CPU. This is not the
> > case with AMD though as I stated before. I have bought a couple of
> > Gigabyte GA990FX-UD7 myself, they are stable and have a good layout.
> > They have support for IOMMU but I haven't tested it thoroughly enough
> > to fully confirm this although I don't believe there would be any
> > problem.
> I'm aware of this.  In fact, I only have anecdotal evidence that the
> Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3 has IOMMU (VT-d) support.  I intend to query the
> manufacturers, seeking confirmation of IOMMU support, of every
> motherboard that ends up on my short list.  I may include other Z77
> motherboards from MSI and Gigabyte, since there is concrete evidence
> that the Z77 chipset does support IOMMU.  I did focus, however, on those
> motherboards I had some inkling could support IOMMU.  Now I'm trying to
> expand my selection process to include less expensive options.
I have a Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H, which I can confirm does support IOMMU 
... I'm passing PCI video tuner cards to two different DomUs and a 
PCI-Express 1x USB card to another DomU.
I also have an Intel DH77KC that does IOMMU but the H77 chipset support 
was (is?) buggy in the current mainstream kernel releases so it's still 
in the box on the shelf.
-Robert

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