Requirements for running AL2023 on VMware - Amazon Linux 2023
VMware host RequirementsVMware Device SupportVMware Support for UEFI and BIOSLimitations for AL2023 on VMware
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Requirements for running AL2023 on VMware

This section describes the requirements for running AL2023 on VMware. The VMware images of AL2023 are available for only the x86-64 architecture. VMware images for aarch64 are not available or supported. These requirements are in addition to the base AL2023 system requirements for the VMware images.

VMware host requirements for running AL2023 on VMware

The AL2023 VMware OVA images are currently qualified on the following:

  • VMware Workstation 17.5.0 running on hosts using an Intel(R) Xeon(R) Platinum 8124M processor

  • VMware vSphere 8.0 using an Intel(R) Xeon(R) Platinum 8275CL processor

The AL2023 VMware OVA images specify a Machine Hardware Version of 13.

VMware Machine Hardware Version 13 is supported by:

  • ESXi 6.5 or later

  • VMware Workstation 14 or later

Device support for AL2023 on VMware

The following VMware device models were tested for use with AL2023 VMware OVA images (x86-64 only):

  • vmw_pvscsi (VMware paravirtualized SCSI controller)

  • vmxnet3 (VMware paravirtualized network device)

  • ata_piix (legacy IDE for use with the virtual CD-ROM drive only)

Additional VMware device models enabled in AL2023 VMware image qualification, but not heavily exercised:

  • vmw_vmci and related vsock interface (virtual socket transport for the VMware guest agent)

  • vmw_balloon memory balloon device

  • VMware SVGA controller

  • legacy AT keyboard and PS/2 mouse devices

The VMware guest agent package (open-vm-tools) is available and installed by default in the AL2023 VMware OVA images.

Boot mode (UEFI and BIOS) support for AL2023 on VMware

As of the 2023.3.20231211 release, the AL2023 VMware OVA image has been validated in both legacy BIOS and UEFI boot modes. The OVA default configuration is still legacy BIOS but can be changed by the user.

Important

Secure Boot support requires UEFI, which has not been validated for AL2023 running on VMware.

Limitations running AL2023 on VMware

There are some known limitations in running AL2023 on VMware.

Note

Code implementing some of the listed unsupported functionality may exist in AL2023 and function correctly. The list of unsupported functionality exists so that customers can make informed decisions about what to rely upon working today, and what the Amazon Linux team will qualify as working as part of future updates.

Known limitations with running AL2023 on VMware

  • UEFI Secure Boot is not currently validated with AL2023 on VMware.

  • Hot plugging and unplugging CPU, memory, or any other device type is not supported.

  • VM hibernation is not supported.

  • VM migration is not supported.

  • Passthrough of any device such as through PCI Passthrough, or USB Passthrough is not supported.