Kernel-based virtual machine

A short content stub that describes in basic detail what a kernel-based virtual machine is. This content was prepared as part of a series for training new team members to support OpenMetal.io's OpenStack cloud platform.

Kernel-based virtual machine (or KVM) is Linux's primary virtualization tool for providing virtual machines. KVM allows the Linux kernel to function as a hypervisor for virtual machines. Each virtual machine instance provisioned through KVM has its own instance of the Linux kernel.

OpenStack uses KVM by default for its virtualization technology.