You can expose full CPU virtualization to the guest operating system so that applications that require hardware virtualization can run on virtual machines without binary translation or paravirtualization.

Prerequisites

Note: VMware does not support running third-party hypervisors on ESXi with the exception of specifically defined and documented functionality. Currently, this is limited to Microsoft Hyper-V, strictly for VBS only and not for virtualizing multiple VMs.

For more information, see the VMware KB article at https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2009916.

  • Verify that the virtual machine compatibility is ESXi 5.1 and later.
  • Intel Nehalem Generation (Xeon Core i7) or later processors or AMD Opteron Generation 3 (Greyhound) or later processors.
  • Verify that Intel VT-x or AMD-V is enabled in the BIOS so that hardware assisted virtualization is possible.
  • Required Privileges: Virtual machine.Change Configuration.Change Settings set on the vCenter Server system.

Procedure

  1. Right-click a virtual machine in the inventory and select Edit Settings.
  2. On the Virtual Hardware tab, expand CPU, and select Expose hardware assisted virtualization to the guest OS.
  3. Click OK.
    The Configure tab refreshes, and the Nested Hypervisor CPU option shows Enabled.