Linux documentation maven Falko Timme has authored a concise, one-page howto on installing KVM (kernel-based virtual machine), the Linux kernel feature aimed at supporting virtualization hardware in modern Intel and AMD processors. Published at HowToForge, the article covers installing or building kvm, and configuring a bridge network and virtual disk.

KVM was added to the mainline kernel with the 2.6.20 release, about a year ago. Written by Avi Kivity, it aims to let user-space processes exploit the virtualization capabilities built into modern 64-bit x86 Intel and AMD processors.

Timme first describes installing or building KVM as a loadable kernel module. He also describes building kvm_amd and kvm_intel, modules which respectively support AMD-V (Pacifica) virtualization technologies and Intel VT (Vanderpool) virtualization hardware.

Timme then provides code and tips for setting up a network bridge and virtual disk, and then creating a virtual machine and installing a system onto it. The process involves:

• Creating an .img file
• Creating an ISO file with appropriate RAM allotment
• Connecting to IP:1 with a VNC client
• Assigning a MAC-Address to the vm network interfaces, and
• Connecting via ssh to the virtual machine

The full story on HowToForge.com is available here.

 
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