KVM Host

The KVM host is the physical system that runs the KVM guests. The KVM guests can only run inside a KVM host.

Setting up the KVM host environment is not as hard as you think, but there are a many things to consider before beginning the installation. Spending time planning your KVM host before you install it will save you a lot of trouble later on. The KVM host is running on physical hardware. Find out how you want to use your hardware.

• KVM Host Reference System Hardware

• KVM Host Hardware Requirements

• KVM Host Disk Layout

• KVM Host Operating System

• KVM Host Network

Software Configuration

The software configuration for the KVM host has to take care of the possible hardware failures that can happen on the physical host. Once this is configured, the KVM guests can rely on the KVM host, to have its hardware properly monitored.

• KVM Host Firewall

• KVM Host Grub on all Disks

• KVM Host S.M.A.R.T

• KVM Host Booting from Luks Encryption

• KVM Host Raid Consistency Checking

• KVM Host Guest Filesystem Images

• KVM Host Guest Installation Media

Virtualization Software

• KVM Host Virtualization Software

Hardware Errors

• KVM Host Faulty Disk