Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/06/xen_seapath_open_source_hypervisors/
Source: The Register
Title: Xen Project delivers solid hypervisor update and keeps working on RISC-V port
Feedly Summary: While we’re talking open source V12N, meet SEAPATH: A new hypervisor for electricity grids backed by Red Hat
The Xen Project has delivered an update to its flagship hypervisor.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the latest updates from the Xen Project, particularly focusing on version 4.20 of its hypervisor, which includes numerous security enhancements and performance optimizations. It also introduces a new open-source hypervisor, SEAPATH, aimed at supporting digital substations in the power grid industry.
Detailed Description: The provided text covers significant developments in hypervisor technology, particularly relevant to professionals in infrastructure security and cloud computing security. Key points include:
– **Xen Project Update**: The launch of Xen 4.20 introduces eight security updates:
– Support for LLC (Last Level Cache) coloring for performance optimization on the Arm architecture.
– Paging-Write Feature support for Intel CPUs.
– Compatibility with AMD Zen 5 processors.
– Enhanced stability and performance across various architectures including x86, Arm64, RISC-V, and PowerPC.
– Activation of the Undefined Behaviour Sanitiser by default, which aids in identifying programming errors.
– **Experimental Features**: The update includes experimental support for Armv8-R, showing the project’s commitment to evolving with technological advancements, particularly in server-grade architectures.
– **RISC-V Development**: The long-standing interest in RISC-V architecture is highlighted, mentioning accelerated development towards a port, which aligns with the emerging landscape of server-grade RISC-V systems.
– **SEAPATH Introduction**: The text also introduces SEAPATH, an open-source hypervisor developed under the Linux Foundation’s LF Energy project. It caters to digital substations:
– Aims to enhance renewable energy technologies and the complexity of energy grids.
– Provides resilience and isolation, features critical for running applications in modern power grids.
– **Collaborative Efforts**: Various organizations are part of the SEAPATH initiative, including Red Hat and Schneider Electric, reflecting a community-driven approach to advancing virtualization in the energy sector.
– **Technical Ecosystem**: SEAPATH is designed to leverage existing open-source virtualization technologies (e.g., KVM, QEMU, Libvirt), demonstrating a convergence of IT infrastructure with energy sector needs.
This text is particularly insightful for infrastructure security professionals, as it highlights the dual role of hypervisors in enhancing both operational security and performance in server and energy applications.