How to KVM (Kernal virtual Machine)

[UranUtan]

Using Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 x64 (and my CPU has VT-x)

Can you please help for some novice questions

Q1. Is it OK to install KVM using Synaptic Package Manager? There is a kvm package there, how is it different compared to the "sudo apt-get ..." you listed above?

Q2. Is it OK to run KVM on Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 x64? (Just for learning purposes). If yes, after KVM is installed, does it change anything? I mean can I still continue to use Ubuntu Desktop as before?

Q3. You have listed a lot of command line instructions. Is there any GUI front end? to manage KVM server or guest VM image, etc. Similar to "Workstation" products like Virtualbox.
EDIT: I saw you mentioned virt-manager. Is it the only GUI for KVM?

Q4. Is there any utility to convert VM image from VMWare Workstation (VMDK) or from Virtualbox (VDI) into native KVM disk format?

Thanks in advance.

[bodhi.zazen]

Using Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 x64 (and my CPU has VT-x)

Can you please help for some novice questions

Q1. Is it OK to install KVM using Synaptic Package Manager? There is a kvm package there, how is it different compared to the "sudo apt-get ..." you listed above?

Yes, it is the same package. both apt-get and synaptic are front ends to apt.

Q2. Is it OK to run KVM on Ubuntu Desktop 8.10 x64? (Just for learning purposes). If yes, after KVM is installed, does it change anything? I mean can I still continue to use Ubuntu Desktop as before?

VM will not alter your desktop functionality.

Q3. You have listed a lot of command line instructions. Is there any GUI front end? to manage KVM server or guest VM image, etc. Similar to "Workstation" products like Virtualbox.
EDIT: I saw you mentioned virt-manager. Is it the only GUI for KVM?

virt-manager. virt manager is not as functional as the front ends for VBox/ VMWare.

do not shy away from the command line, it should not be *that* difficult, lol

Q4. Is there any utility to convert VM image from VMWare Workstation (VMDK) or from Virtualbox (VDI) into native KVM disk format?

Thanks in advance.

yes, but they are command line tools. google will show you the tools.

[UranUtan]

Hi bodhi.zazen,

Thanks very much for your answers. Now I can start to play with KVM on my Ubuntu Desktop. Will try to learn the command lines.

[patryk77]

sudo chown root.kvm /usr/bn/kvm-bridge
sudo chmod 550 /usr/bin/kvm-bridge

Thanks for the tutorials. Hopefully one of them will solve my problems.

Only comment I have so far, bin is missing an "i" in "Set ownership and permissions".

[juancarlospaco]

What's Kernal virtual Machine?

[patryk77]

What's Kernal virtual Machine?

Kernel Based Virtual Machine

KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). It consists of a loadable kernel module, kvm.ko, that provides the core virtualization infrastructure and a processor specific module, kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko. KVM also requires a modified QEMU although work is underway to get the required changes upstream.

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.

The kernel component of KVM is included in mainline Linux, as of 2.6.20.

KVM is open source software.

http://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page

[kebabbaro]

Hello,
when I try to boot from my windows seven physical partition qemu stops at
"booting from hard disk..."
and when i retry I get this message on the terminal
qemu: could not open disk image /dev/sda1

why is that and how can i fix it?

FYI i give the CLI command:
kvm -hda /dev/sda1

Thank You

[bodhi.zazen]

My guess is that you do not have proper permissions on /dev/sda1

[SnakeMedia]

Hello guys, do not forget!

If you create image from /var/lib/libvirt/images

Please make sure privilege rights!

#sudo chmod 777 /var/lib/libvirt/images

Than it works while you are creating hard disk images of different guest systems

Enjoy and happy emulating!

SnakeMedia

[prezbedard]

What is the best way to start for the host? I'm debating whether I install ubuntu server with a gui or not. My concern is how to install windows guests. I'm looking to virtualize several of our windows servers. I only have experience with virtualbox so am not sure how you go about installing a gui guest on a host with none.

Thanks.