What is a kvm?

KVM stands for Kernel-based Virtual Machine, and it is a virtualization solution for Linux systems that allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical host. KVM is an open-source software that leverages the virtualization extensions of modern processors to create and manage virtual machines.

Some key features of KVM include:

  1. Full virtualization - KVM provides full hardware virtualization support, allowing virtual machines to run unmodified operating systems.
  2. Performance - KVM is known for its high performance and low overhead, as it utilizes hardware-assisted virtualization technology.
  3. Security - KVM provides isolation between virtual machines, enhancing security and preventing unauthorized access.
  4. Scalability - KVM supports a large number of virtual machines on a single physical host, making it suitable for enterprise environments.
  5. Management tools - KVM comes with built-in management tools, such as Virt-manager and Cockpit, for easy deployment and management of virtual machines.

Overall, KVM is a popular choice for virtualization on Linux systems due to its performance, security, and scalability features.