KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a virtualization module in the Linux kernel that allows the kernel to function as a hypervisor. It is used to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine, providing efficient and scalable virtualization.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Hypervisor Type | Type 1 (bare-metal) |
| Supported OS | Linux, Windows, BSD |
| Performance | Near-native performance due to hardware-assisted virtualization |
| Management Tools | virsh, virt-manager, libvirt |
| Networking | Supports bridged, NAT, and host-only networking |
| Storage Options | Supports various storage formats including raw, qcow2, and more |
| Live Migration | Supports live migration of virtual machines between hosts |
| Security | Uses SELinux and sVirt for enhanced security |
| Licensing | Open-source, licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL) |