How to Install KVM in Linux
Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) is an open-source virtualization technology that allows you to create and run multiple virtual machines on a single Linux host. It provides a high level of performance and is widely used by businesses for server virtualization.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install KVM on a Linux system. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, this tutorial will help you set up KVM and start creating your own virtual machines.
Step 1: Check Hardware Virtualization Support
Before installing KVM, you need to check if your CPU supports hardware virtualization technology. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:
egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo
If the command returns a value of 1 or higher, it means your CPU supports hardware virtualization. If the value is 0, you may need to enable virtualization support in your BIOS settings.
Step 2: Install KVM Packages
On Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, you can install KVM packages by running the following command:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils
On CentOS and Red Hat-based systems, use the following commands:
sudo yum install qemu-kvm libvirt virt-install bridge-utils
Step 3: Start and Enable Libvirtd Service
After installing the KVM packages, you need to start and enable the libvirtd service. Use the following command on systemd-based systems:
sudo systemctl start libvirtd
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd
Step 4: Verify KVM Installation
To verify that KVM is installed and working correctly, run the following command:
virt-host-validate
If there are no errors reported, it means KVM is successfully installed on your system. You can now start creating virtual machines using tools like virt-manager or virt-install.
Conclusion
Installing KVM on Linux is a straightforward process that allows you to create and manage virtual machines with ease. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a virtualization environment on your Linux system and start running multiple VMs efficiently.
We hope this tutorial has been helpful in getting you started with KVM on Linux. If you have any questions or run into any issues during the installation process, feel free to reach out to the community for assistance.