Abstract
IBM® PowerKVM is an open source server virtualization choice based on POWER8™ technology. This IBM Redbooks® Solution Guide describes the Linux open source technology of Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) virtualization, which is designed to complement the performance, scalability, and security qualities of Linux.
IBM PowerKVM maximizes the performance and security of KVM hypervisor and avoids proprietary x86 virtualization. Linux administrators will find PowerKVM easy to use. With PowerKVM, it is simple to migrate applications, and integration with cloud environments is less complicated.
Contents
The IBM® POWER8™ processors are built for big data and open innovation. Now, Linux administrators and users can maximize this power through the new open virtualization offering of PowerKVM. This IBM Redbooks® Solution Guide describes the Linux open source technology of Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) virtualization, which is designed to complement the performance, scalability, and security qualities of Linux.
With the introduction of the Linux only scale-out systems with POWER8 technology, a new virtualization option is supported on IBM Power Systems™. This virtualization is known as Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) and the offering for the IBM Power Systems is called PowerKVM. PowerKVM uses the qualities of performance, scalability, and security that are inherent in Linux.
This solution is for cost-conscious enterprises and Linux administrators looking for easy configuration and operation of PowerKVM technology (a simple but powerful functioning KVM host). Many of the cloud managers, such as OpenStack, were developed around KVM technology so this is a logical fit for cloud deployments. Figure 1 shows the 12-core IBM POWER8 architecture.
Figure 1. IBM POWER8 architecture (12 cores)
Did you know?
Did you know that PowerKVM can help you get more from your resources by resource over-commitment?
Virtualization allows physical resources to be shared by diverse workloads with complete segregation. Assets, such as the hardware platform, operating system, storage devices, and network, can be more effectively used in a virtual environment. In virtualization, two main components exist: the hypervisor and the guest. KVM is a part of open source virtualization that turns the Linux kernel into an enterprise-class hypervisor. Hypervisors consolidate huge amounts of work on a single server. Virtualization (through a mechanism called overcommitment) exposes more CPU, I/O, and memory to the guest machine than exist on the real server, therefore increasing resource utilization and improving the server consolidation. KVM is designed to deliver optimal performance by using virtualization. Imagine IBM Power technology and POWER8 processors being applied with PowerKVM to deliver incredible enterprise-grade performance to your virtual environment.
Business value
IBM PowerKVM is a product that blends the resilience and performance of Power technology with the openness of KVM. Your enterprise can anticipate many advantages from this combination:
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Special Notices
The material included in this document is in DRAFT form and is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind. IBM is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the material, and may update the document at any time. The final, published document may not include any, or all, of the material included herein. Client assumes all risks associated with Client's use of this document.