KVM

KVM, or kernel-based virtual machine, is a full virtualization solution and userspace component for Linux that utilizes hardware virtualization extensions such as Intel's VT to create virtual machines running on a Linux host.

KVM is a unique hypervisor. It consists of a loadable kernel module that provides the core virtualization infrastructure and a processor specific module. Using KVM, one can run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux or Windows images. Each virtual machine has private virtualized hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter, etc. 

KVM is a relatively new and simple, yet powerful, virtualization engine, which has found its way into the Linux kernel, giving the Linux kernel native virtualization capabilities. Because KVM uses hardware­based virtualization, it does not require modified guest operating systems, and thus, it can support any platform from within Linux, given that it is deployed on a supported processor.

Advantages of KVM Virtualization :

There are many advantages of the KVM when compared to other virtualization software’s available in Linux.

• Can interact directly with the Kernel

• High performance and scalability

• Default virtualization in leading Linux Distributions

• Open source software

• More flexible and easy to setup 

• Run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux or Windows images

• Each virtual machine will have private virtualized hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter, etc

• Adequate for most cloud deployments

Limitations of KVM virtualiation:

• Currently, KVM supports only Intel and AMD virtualization, whereas Xen supports IBM
• PowerPC and Itanium as well. SMP support for hosts is lacking in the current release.
• Performance tuning.

However, KVM already is further ahead than other hypervisor solutions in some areas and surely will catch up in other areas in the future. KVM is the best technology going forward for open source virtualization.

With the introduction of KVM into the Linux kernel, future Linux distributions will have built­in support for virtualization, giving them an edge over other operating systems. There will be no need for any dual­boot installation in the future, because all the applications you require could be run directly from the Linux desktop. KVM is just one more of the many existing open­source hypervisors, reaffirming that open source has been instrumental to the progress of  virtualization technology. 



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