Virtualising 3D Hardware

1
Virtualising 3D Hardware
2
Basically
VM 2
VM 1
Multiplex real hardware
3
Fortunately

• Graphics drivers already do that!
• Run Quake at same time as Gears?
• Driver must multiplex the hardware anyway!

4
Consequently

• One rendering context in guest VM ? one context
  in Domain 0
• Remote graphics library

5
Annoyingly

• OpenGL Huge API, pain to remote.
• OpenGL Also is not Direct3D
• Direct3D Gets used a lot

6
Handily

• Gallium 70-function API
• State tracker interprets native API (such as GL,
  Direct3D)
• Sits atop much simpler driver
• OpenGL ? Gallium state tracker 140,000 LOC

7
Regrettably

• Direct3D state tracker currently unavailable
• Gallium actually suited to remoting?
• No Lacks display lists
• Yes Display lists losing their edge?
• No Can we beat display lists?