How to Install KVM on Your System
If you are looking to set up a virtualization environment on your system, KVM is a great option to consider. KVM, or Kernel-based Virtual Machine, is an open-source virtualization technology built into the Linux kernel. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install KVM on your system.
Check Hardware Virtualization Support
Before we get started, it’s essential to ensure that your system’s processor supports hardware virtualization. You can quickly check this by running the following command in your terminal:
egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo
If the output is greater than 0, your system supports hardware virtualization, and you can proceed with the installation.
Install KVM Packages
First, update your system’s package list:
sudo apt update
Then, install the KVM and QEMU packages using the following command:
sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-clients libvirt-daemon-system virtinst bridge-utils
After installing the necessary packages, start and enable the libvirt service:
sudo systemctl start libvirtd
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd
Verify Installation
To verify that KVM has been correctly installed on your system, run the following command:
virsh -c qemu:///system list
If KVM is installed correctly, you should see a list of virtual machines (if any) running on your system.
Create a Virtual Machine
Now that KVM is installed, you can create a virtual machine using virt-manager, a graphical tool for managing virtual machines:
Install virt-manager on your system with the following command:
sudo apt install virt-manager
Once installed, launch virt-manager and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new virtual machine.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed KVM on your system and created your first virtual machine.
Enjoy exploring the world of virtualization with KVM!