KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) vs QEMU : Which is Better?
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)
Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) is a virtualization infrastructure for the Linux kernel that turns it into a hypervisor. It was merged into the Linux kernel mainline in kernel version 2.6.20.
License: Open Source
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KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) VS QEMU
KVM is a Linux kernel module that provides virtualization capabilities, enabling high-performance virtual machines with direct access to the hardware, while QEMU is an emulator that can run on various host platforms and provides extensive hardware emulation. KVM is best suited for performance-centric virtualization on Linux, whereas QEMU offers flexibility and portability for various use cases.
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)
Pros:
- High performance due to direct integration with the Linux kernel
- Supports multiple architectures including x86, ARM, and PowerPC
- Provides efficient memory management with KSM (Kernel Same-page Merging)
- Offers live migration of virtual machines
- Integrates well with other Linux-based technologies like libvirt
Cons:
- Requires a Linux host to operate
- Configuration can be complex for beginners
- Limited support for non-Linux guest operating systems
QEMU
Pros:
- Highly flexible and portable due to its emulation capabilities
- Supports a wide range of hardware devices
- Can run on various host operating systems, not limited to Linux
- Easy to use with a wide range of user interfaces and management tools
- Can be used for both full system emulation and user-mode emulation
Cons:
- Performance may not match native execution due to emulation overhead
- Can consume significant resources for emulating complex hardware
- Requires additional configuration for optimal performance
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