KVM Installation and Configuration Guide

1. Introduction to KVM KVM (kernel‑based virtual machine) is an open‑source, hardware‑assisted full virtualization solution integrated into Linux kernels since 2.6.20, using the Linux scheduler and becoming a mainstream VMM in academia.

2. KVM Installation and Configuration

2.1 CPU Virtualization Ensure virtualization support is enabled in BIOS; verify with commands:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'vmx' // Intel CPU

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'svm' // AMD CPU

2.2 Install KVM packages

yum install qemu-kvm qemu-kvm-tools virt-manager libvirt virt-viewer -y

Explanation of key packages: kvm (kernel module), qemu (userspace virtualization), qemu‑kvm (manages KVM devices), virt‑viewer (VNC client).

2.3 Load KVM module

modprobe kvm-intel // load Intel KVM module

lsmod | grep kvm // verify module is loaded

2.4 Configure network interfaces Create a bridge (br0) and adjust eth0 as a switch‑like interface (no IP). Images illustrate the configuration.

2.5 Modify VNC server configuration

vim /etc/libvirt/qemu.conf – uncomment vnc_listen = "0.0.0.0" on line 12.

2.6 Restart services

/etc/init.d/libvirtd restart // restart libvirtd

/etc/init.d/messagebus restart // restart message bus

2.7 Create virtual disk

qemu-img create -f raw /opt/CentOS-6.5-x86_64.raw 10G

2.8 Copy installation ISO

dd if=/dev/cdrom1 of=/opt/Centos-6.5-x86_64.iso

2.9 Install the virtual machine

virt-install -n centos6.5 -r 512 -vcpus=1 -s 50 -c /opt/Centos6.5-x86_64.iso --hvm --os-type=linux -f /opt/CentOS-6.5-x86_64.raw --graphics vnc,listen=0.0.0.0,port=7789 --force --autostart

Parameters: name, 512 MB RAM, 1 CPU, 50 GB disk, ISO path, full virtualization, Linux OS type, VNC on port 7789, auto‑start.

2.10 Set iptables rule for VNC

iptables -I INPUT -p tcp --dport 7789 -j ACCEPT

service iptables save

2.11 Connect via VNC client Use a VNC viewer (or Xshell) to connect to the VM’s IP and port 7789; screenshots show the connection process.

2.12 Configure the guest VM Example: install Apache web server, set IP address, and verify access from a browser. Images demonstrate Xshell usage, httpd service start, and successful web page access.