Linus Torvalds has included the virtualization environment KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine for Linux) in the tree leading to Linux kernel 2.6.20. In the case of KVM the kernel after loading a special module itself functions as a hypervisor for virtual machines. This approach however is predicated upon the cooperation of the virtualization functions of up-to-date x64 processors by Intel (VT: Vanderpool) or AMD (AMD-V: Pacifica/Presidio, Secure Virtual Machine/SVM). The support for AMD's technology, which was completed only recently, is part of the included source code; while the description taken from older patches apparently mistakenly talks of support for Intel CPUs only.
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