Knowledge Base

RHEL 5.x

The same binaries are used for Intel and AMD processors. You can switch a virtual machine between hosts with different processors with no issue. The only potential concern is whether the virtual machine has any installed applications that select CPU-specific optimizations at install or link
time -- this can cause issues when changing processors.

RHEL 4.x and earlier

VMware recommends that you do not migrate a Red Hat Linux virtual machine between hosts when one host has an AMD processor and the other has an Intel processor.

During installation, some versions of Red Hat Linux choose a kernel that is optimized for the specific processor on which they are running. The kernel may contain instructions that are available only on that processor. These instructions can have adverse effects when run on a host with the wrong type of processor.

Thus, a Red Hat Linux virtual machine created on a host with an AMD processor may not work if migrated to a host with an Intel processor. The reverse is also true: a Red Hat Linux virtual machine created on a host with an Intel processor may not work if migrated to a host with an AMD processor.

This problem is not specific to virtual machines, and also occurs on physical computers. For example, if you move a hard drive with a Red Hat Linux installation from an AMD machine to an Intel machine, you experience the same problem trying to boot from that drive.