KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)
TLDR: KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is an open-source virtualization technology integrated into the Linux Kernel since 2007. It allows users to create and run multiple isolated virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical host. By leveraging hardware virtualization extensions like Intel VT-x and AMD-V, KVM provides high-performance virtualization for enterprise and cloud environments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel-based_Virtual_Machine
KVM works by turning the Linux Kernel into a Type-1 hypervisor, managing VMs alongside other processes in the operating system. Each VM runs as a standard Linux process, with dedicated virtual hardware, including CPU, memory, and storage. KVM supports various guest operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and BSD, ensuring flexibility in deployment scenarios. The inclusion of features like live migration, memory overcommit, and nested virtualization makes it a robust solution for modern data centers.
https://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page
As a core component of virtualization solutions like QEMU and Libvirt, KVM is widely used in cloud platforms, including OpenStack and Google Cloud. Its scalability and efficiency make it suitable for running virtualized workloads ranging from development environments to production systems. With continuous updates and integration into the Linux Kernel, KVM remains a critical tool for enabling flexible, secure, and high-performance virtualization.