Supported architecure

This is for discussing general topics about how to use VirtualBox.
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Cyberian
Posts: 49
Joined: 17. Dec 2008, 10:21
Primary OS: MS Windows XP
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows, Fedora

Supported architecure

Post by Cyberian »

Is VirtualBox only for x86 architecture and its operation systems?

Are there any plans for supporting other processors like ARM?
That would be helpful for software developers that do not already have the hardware at hand.
mpack
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Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Supported architecure

Post by mpack »

Cyberian wrote:Is VirtualBox only for x86 architecture and its operation systems?
Obviously yes. VirtualBox is a hypervisor, not a simulator. Meaning that code runs on the native CPU except when it tries to do a hardware access. In effect it means that the job of VirtualBox is to simulate - not the CPU - but the peripheral hardware whenever the CPU tries to access it. The latter is another reason why ideas like your ARM suggestion will not work, i.e. in addition to being the wrong CPU, ARM devices AFAIK do not come with a manageably small set of expected legacy peripherals.
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