Full virtualization mode lets virtual machines run unmodified operating systems, such as Windows* Server 2003 and Windows XP, but requires the computer running as the virtual machine host to support hardware-assisted virtualization technology, such as AMD* Virtualization or Intel* Virtualization Technology.

Some guest operating systems hosted in full virtualization mode, can be configured to run SUSE Linux Enterprise Virtual Machine Drivers instead of operating-system-specific drivers. Running virtual machine drivers improves performance dramatically in guest operating systems, such as Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. For more information, see Virtual Machine Driver Pack for Windows .

Paravirtual mode does not require the host computer to support hardware-assisted virtualization technology but does require its operating system to be modified for the virtualization environment. Typically, operating systems running in paravirtual mode enjoy better performance than those requiring full virtualization mode.

Operating systems currently modified to run in paravirtual mode are referred to as paravirtualized operating systems and include SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and NetWare® 6.5 SP7.