Kernel-based Virtual Machine
Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) is a free and open-source virtualization module in the Linux kernel that allows the kernel to function as a hypervisor. It was merged into the mainline Linux kernel in version 2.6.20, which was released on February 5, 2007. KVM requires a processor with hardware virtualization extensions, such as Intel VT or AMD-V. KVM has also been ported to other operating systems such as FreeBSD and illumos in the form of loadable kernel modules.
| Original author(s) | Qumranet |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | The Linux Kernel community |
| Repository | |
| Written in | C |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Platform | ARM, PowerPC, ESA/390, IA-32, x86-64 |
| Type | Hypervisor |
| License | GNU GPL or LGPL |
| Website | www |
KVM was originally designed for x86 processors but has since been ported to ESA/390, PowerPC, IA-64, and ARM. The IA-64 port was removed in 2014.
KVM supports hardware-assisted virtualization for a wide variety of guest operating systems including BSD, Solaris, Windows, Haiku, ReactOS, Plan 9, AROS, macOS, and even other Linux systems. In addition, Android 2.2, GNU/Hurd (Debian K16), Minix 3.1.2a, Solaris 10 U3 and Darwin 8.0.1, together with other operating systems and some newer versions of these listed, are known to work with certain limitations.
Additionally, KVM provides paravirtualization support for Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Plan 9 and Windows guests using the VirtIO API. This includes a paravirtual Ethernet card, disk I/O controller, balloon driver, and a VGA graphics interface using SPICE or VMware drivers.