KVM Host Operating System
Install Debian
Define your disk layout, then go ahead and install Debian. This will be a headless system, so there is really no reason to install any GUI on the KVM Host. Boot into the installed system.
Setting the Time
For many reasons it is a really good idea your systems keeps the correct time. This is done using NTP.
apt-get install sntp sntp pool.ntp.org dpkg-reconfigure tzdata hwclock --systohc systemctl disable systemd-timesyncd apt-get install chrony
Locate Your Files
Being able to locate different files on the system is invaluable.
apt-get install mlocate updatedb
Power Button
Make sure that pressing the power button is handled properly.
apt-get install acpid
Console Fonts
Avoid having itty bitty tiny characters in your framebuffer. Edit /etc/default/console-setup.
FONTFACE="Terminus" FONTSIZE="16x32"
Restart the console-setup service.
service console-setup restart
apt
Make sure downloaded .deb files are removed after they have been installed. We do this to save space on the KVM host, and should have footprint as small as possible.
echo "APT::Keep-Downloaded-Packages \"false\";" > /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/01keep-debs