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KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux that enables full virtualization on x86 hardware and has been adapted for other architectures. It consists of a loadable kernel module and allows multiple virtual machines to run independently while sharing physical resources securely. KVM is widely used in cloud computing, development environments, and web hosting, but is limited to Linux distributions and requires a powerful host system.

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25 views2 pages

KVM PDF

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux that enables full virtualization on x86 hardware and has been adapted for other architectures. It consists of a loadable kernel module and allows multiple virtual machines to run independently while sharing physical resources securely. KVM is widely used in cloud computing, development environments, and web hosting, but is limited to Linux distributions and requires a powerful host system.

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Hetal Vasava
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Cloud and Data Center Technologies (4361602) 226120316056

4. KVM
➢ Introduction :
KVM is defined as an open-source solution for enabling full virtualization of Linux on
x86 hardware (initially built for x86 but later ported to S/390, PowerPC, IA-64, and
ARM as well) that constitutes of extensions for virtualization. KVM is an acronym for
Kernel- based Virtual Machine. This virtualisation setup contains a loadable kernel
module named kvm.ko and a module-specific to the processor kvm-intel.ko or kvm-
amd.ko. The selection between the processor-specific module is solely based on the
type of processor hardware the machine is running on, either Intel or AMD. Also, the
loadable kernel module provides infrastructure for core virtualization.

➢ Architecture :

1. Physical Equipment (Hardware Layer)


This is the base layer consisting of physical hardware like CPU, memory, storage,
and network interfaces. It provides the resources required by both the host
system and virtual machines. The hardware is accessed and managed by the
Linux kernel via drivers.
2. Linux Kernel Layer
The Linux kernel manages the hardware and serves as the foundation for the virtualization
system. It includes drivers, modules, and the KVM (Kernel- based Virtual Machine)
module.

3. Virtual Machines (VMs)


Each VM runs independently and contains its own operating system (guest OS) and
applications. Virtual hardware (CPU, memory, storage) is emulated by KVM for each
VM.
4. Other Linux Processes
In addition to VMs, the Linux kernel also manages native Linux processes running on the
host. These processes operate alongside VMs and can include applications or services.

5. Resource Sharing and Isolation


KVM ensures that physical resources are efficiently shared among VMs and Linux
processes. Each VM is isolated, preventing interference or security risks between
VMs. This architecture enables running multiple operating systems on a single
machine.
Cloud and Data Center Technologies (4361602) 226120316056

➢ Features :
1. Security - KVM uses a combination of security-enhanced Linux (SELinux) and
secure virtualization (sVirt) for enhancing the VM security and isolation.
2. Storage - KVM also supports any storage supported by Linux as it
belongs to the part of Linux only! KVM uses multipath I/O for removing
redundancy
and thus improving storage capability. Memory Management - The memory
3. management features of Linux are inherited by
KVM, making it even more up to date in terms of updates. Non-uniform memory
access
and kernel same-page merging are some of the KVM features, which are the
latest in
4. the market.
Performance and Scalability - With the inheritance capability from Linux, KVM
easily scales up to match the demand load with the request for guest request
increase.

➢ Advantages :
• As the KVM system derives itself from Linux, it is quite a matured system.
• KVM comes in-built in most of Linux distributions.
• KVM is open source and hence free to use.
➢ Disadvantages :
• KVM is available only for Linux distributions.
• The host computer needs to be powerful enough to take the load of multiple
VMs.
•
Using KVM has a learning curve attached to it.
➢ Applications :

1.Cloud Computing
-Public Cloud Providers: Providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and IBM Cloud use KVM
to run virtual machines (VMs) and containerized workloads.
2. Development and Testing
- Application Development: Developers use KVM to create isolated test
environments for application development.
- Testing Environments : KVM allows quick setup of different OS
configurations for compatibility testing.
3. Security Applications
- Sandboxing: Used for secure isolation of applications or testing potentially malicious
software.
4. Educational and Training Platforms
- Virtual Labs : KVM enables students to access virtualized lab
environments for training in IT and cybersecurity.
5. Gaming and Graphics
- GPU Passthrough: Gamers and professionals use KVM with GPU passthrough
to run Windows games or graphic-intensive applications on Linux.
6. Web Hosting
- Virtual Private Servers (VPS) : Hosting providers use KVM to offer VPS services,
allowing customers to run their own isolated environments.

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