Intel boosts Virtualization performance

Virtualization makes it easier to run several operating systems simultaneously on the same computer, an idea of high interest to those trying to run multiple tasks more efficiently. But the virtualization control software, called a hypervisor or virtual machine manager, imposes a performance penalty as it manages resources such as memory or input-output.

It's that performance penalty Intel is trying to fix.

"As we build future implementations, we're making things perform better within the constraints of the architectural foundation, but without requiring software changes. Then we're also extending the architecture," Richard Uhlig, senior principal engineer at Intel, said during an interview at the Intel Developer Forum.