linux-image-virtual: for host machine or guest OS?

**Gtaylor** · December 2nd, 2010

I couldn't find a clear answer to this, but is the linux-image-virtual package for host machines that will contain VMs, or a VM-oriented kernel for guest OS (ubuntu)?

I have some guest VMs running on Microsoft's Hyper-V, and was looking for some further optimizations.

**CharlesA** · December 2nd, 2010

That would be used for a virtual machine install of Ubuntu Server, so it's part of the guest, not host.

**Gtaylor** · December 2nd, 2010

Originally Posted by CharlesA

That would be used for a virtual machine install of Ubuntu Server, so it's part of the guest, not host.

Excellent, thanks. Any idea what specifically has been optimized within this?

I feel bad asking something so trivial, maybe my Google-fu is getting worse with age.

**CharlesA** · December 2nd, 2010

I don't really know, tbh. I've tried using the virtual kernel before and didn't really notice all that much difference between it and the regular kernel.

The only thing I know that's different (for sure) is that it was made to be run as a virtual appliance.

**wdaniels** · June 6th, 2012

Originally Posted by CharlesA

I don't really know, tbh. I've tried using the virtual kernel before and didn't really notice all that much difference between it and the regular kernel.

The only thing I know that's different (for sure) is that it was made to be run as a virtual appliance.

The difference is that the virtual kernel only bundles drivers needed for the common virtual hardware devices instead of all the modules for real-world hardware.

So it is considerably smaller in terms of disk space. I'm not aware of any tuning for performance or any functional difference that way, I think it's just for smaller images.