Enabling Intel VT-x and AMD-V Virtualization Hardware Extensions in BIOS of ESXI

This section describes how to identify hardware virtualization extensions and enable them in your BIOS if they are disabled. The Intel VT-x extensions can be disabled in the BIOS. The virtualization extensions cannot be disabled in the BIOS for AMD-V. 

Procedure for Enabling virtualization extensions in BIOS

1.    Reboot the computer and open the system's BIOS menu. This can usually be done by pressing the delete key, the F1 key or Alt and F4 keys or F10 key depending on the Harware.

2.    Enabling the virtualization extensions in BIOS

        a.    Open the Processor submenu The processor settings menu may be hidden in the Chipset, Advanced CPU Configuration or Northbridge.
         b.    Enable Intel Virtualization Technology (also known as Intel VT-x). AMD-V extensions cannot be disabled in the BIOS and should already be enabled. The virtualization extensions may be labeled Virtualization Extensions, Vanderpool or various other names depending on the OEM and system BIOS.
         c.    Enable Intel VT-d or AMD IOMMU, if the options are available. Intel VT-d and AMD IOMMU are used for PCI device assignment.
         d.    Select Save & Exit.

3.    Reboot the machine.

4.    When the machine has booted, run cat /proc/cpuinfo |grep -E "vmx|svm". Specifying --color is optional, but useful if you want the search term highlighted. If the command outputs, the virtualization extensions are now enabled. If there is no output your system may not have the virtualization extensions or the correct BIOS setting enabled.