Linux Kernel Journey

Jan 26, 2025 · Cloud Computing

Understanding KVM/ARM: Split‑Mode Virtualization on ARM’s Virtualization Extensions

This article explains how KVM/ARM implements split‑mode virtualization by dividing the hypervisor into a lowvisor running in EL2 and a highvisor running in kernel mode, detailing CPU, memory, I/O, interrupt and timer virtualization, and describing the architectural improvements introduced by ARM's Virtualization Host Extensions (VHE).