cannot install FreeBSD 12.0 Xen 4.12.1 on Intel Core i7 CPU 930

[Roger Pau Monné]

On Wed, Oct 16, 2019 at 12:17:20PM +0300, Stefan Parvu wrote:
> > 
> > Your box doesn't seem to have an iommu (aka vt-d for Intel).
> 
> In BIOS I do have VT-D Enabled option. Would that be broken or not working ?

Are you sure it's VT-d and not VT-x what you have enabled in the BIOS?

Looking at the details of your CPU:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/41447/intel-core-i7-930-processor-8m-cache-2-80-ghz-4-80-gt-s-intel-qpi.html

VT-d is not listed in 'Advanced Technologies'. For example looking at
a newer model:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/149091/intel-core-i7-8565u-processor-8m-cache-up-to-4-60-ghz.html

You can see VT-d listed in 'Advanced Technologies'.

> I think I have used Xen a bit older version on Debian some time back if Im not wrong, on the same hdw.

See below.

> >> But you need all boot log. I will try your option tonight. I cant access the hardware now.
> > 
> > If you can that would be helpful, but AFAIK this box is simply not
> > capable of running a Xen PVH dom0 (which is the only mode FreeBSD
> > supports in order to work as dom0). Either it has a broken iommu or no
> > iommu at all.
> 
> Hmmm. Thats strange since I do recall I had previously used here Xen but on Linux. But older
> version. Could it be something changed regarding Xen and iommu or ?

Linux dom0 would likely be in PV mode (note the missing H), which
doesn't require an iommu. OTOH FreeBSD only supports PVH dom0, which
does require an iommu.

Roger.