Chapter 7: Virtualization

Question 1

On an x86 architecture without virtualization, the operating system runs at what privilege level?

Answer 1

Level 0

Question 2

Which is the most powerful privilege level?

Answer 2

Level 0

Question 3

Applications tend to run at what privilege level?

Answer 3

Level 3

Question 4

When the software virtualization layer is introduced, the guest operating system is bumped to what privilege level?

Answer 4

Level 1

Question 5

This shift from a more powerful privilege to a less powerful privilege level is called?

Answer 5

Ring Deprivileging

Question 6

What software method was developed to address the challenges of Ring Deprivileging?

Answer 6

Binary Translation

Question 7

Another software solution to Ring Deprivileging used by Xen is?

Answer 7

Paravirtualization

Question 8

In Paravirtualized environments the guest operating system is?

Answer 8

“Virtual-Aware”

Question 9

What technology allows significantly improved handling of multiple guest operating systems?

Answer 9

Nested Paging

Question 10

Paging occurs when?

Answer 10

Processors translate linear addresses generated by operating systems and applications into physical addresses, which are used to access memory.

Question 11

Intel nested paging technology is known as?

Answer 11

Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Question 12

AMD nested paging technology is known as?

Answer 12

Rapid Virtualization Indexing (RVI)

Question 13

When translation is performed, it is stored for future use in?

Answer 13

Translation Look-aside Buffer (TLB)

Question 14

Intel VT-x allows both operating systems to run at what Privilege level?

Answer 14

Level 0.

Question 15

Utilization of what does not tend to be the largest area of concern with respect to virtualization performance?

Answer 15

Processor

Question 16

What two areas will be addressed in the next passes of virtualization hardware assists?

Answer 16

Hardware-based Page Tabled and I/O hardware assists.

Question 17

To use virtualization hardware assists, you must have all of the following.

Answer 17

1. System BIOS enablement
   2. Hardware technology (for example, technology within the processors for first-generation hardware assists)
2. Hypervisor support

Question 18

Sharing resources in a virtualized environment requires a?

Answer 18

Software virtualization manager

Question 19

The software virtualization layer is known as a?

Answer 19

Virtual machine manager

Question 20

Proper virtualization should?

Answer 20

• Improve management of physical capacity
• Improve control of machines
• Simplify operation of virtual server pool
• Reduce risks to business continuity
• Dynamically scale resources to meet demand

Question 21

Typical virtualization consolidation ratios are?

Answer 21

5:1 or 10:1

Question 22

Virtualization consolidation reduces what?

Answer 22

Enterprise power usage

Question 23

Virtualization streamlines what?

Answer 23

Security of data and system backups

Question 24

Two types of hardware virtualization?

Answer 24

1. Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)

2. AMD-V

Question 25

Both types of hardware virtualization provide what?

Answer 25

1. Allow guest O/S, VMM, and apps to run at standard privilege levels
2. Require no binary translation or paravirtualization
3. Increase reliability and security

Question 26

A virtual machine manager is also called a?

Answer 26

Hypervisor

Question 27

Each virtualized machine appears to have the host’s what?

Answer 27

CPU, memory, and other resources to itself.

Question 28

The hypervisor controls the host what?

Answer 28

Processor and resources, controlling guest O/S access to it

Question 29

Privilege levels determine?

Answer 29

What hardware resources can be accessed by software

Question 30

How many privilege levels are used outside of virtualization?

Answer 30

2