KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a type 1 hypervisor that enables full virtualization on Linux-based systems. Here’s an explanation of KVM-based virtualization:

• Hypervisor: KVM acts as a hypervisor, a software layer that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server. It creates and manages these VMs, allocating resources and providing isolation between them.

• Hardware Virtualization: KVM utilizes hardware virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x and AMD-V) present in modern CPUs to achieve efficient virtualization. This allows guest operating systems to run without significant performance overhead.

• Kernel Integration: KVM is integrated directly into the Linux kernel, making it a part of the operating system itself. This tight integration provides advantages such as improved performance, security, and compatibility with various hardware components.

• Virtualization Technology: With KVM, each VM runs its own instance of the operating system, referred to as a guest OS. KVM provides CPU and memory virtualization, allowing multiple VMs to share physical resources while remaining isolated from each other.

• Device Emulation: KVM provides device emulation for common hardware components, allowing guest VMs to interact with virtualized devices as if they were physical. This includes emulated network adapters, storage controllers, and other peripherals.

• Management Tools: Various management tools and interfaces are available for managing KVM-based virtualization environments. These tools allow administrators to create, configure, monitor, and manage VMs, as well as allocate resources and perform other administrative tasks.

Overall, KVM-based virtualization offers a robust and efficient solution for running multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, providing scalability, flexibility, and resource optimization for modern data centers and cloud environments.