官方介绍（https://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Main_Page）：

KVM (for Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). It consists of a loadable kernel module, kvm.ko, that provides the core virtualization infrastructure and a processor specific module, kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko.

Using KVM, one can run multiple virtual machines running unmodified Linux or Windows images. Each virtual machine has private virtualized hardware: a network card, disk, graphics adapter, etc.

KVM is open source software. The kernel component of KVM is included in mainline Linux, as of 2.6.20. The userspace component of KVM is included in mainline QEMU, as of 1.3.

 

KVM是基于内核的虚拟机的缩写（全称是：Kernel-based Virtual Machine），它是Linux的一个内核模块。该模块使得 Linux 变成了一个物理Hypervisor，通常把CentOS、RedHat、Ubuntu作为宿主机运行虚拟化系统。
它由 Quramnet 开发，现已经被 Red Hat 收购，支持的CPU有(https://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Processor_support)：

• VT-x, shows in /proc/cpuinfo as the vmx flag. (grep vmx /proc/cpuinfo)、
• AMD-V, shows in /proc/cpuinfo as the svm flag. (grep svm /proc/cpuinfo)、
• Virtualization support for ARM was initially added to ARMv7-A processors starting with Cortex-A15 and including Cortex-A7 and Cortex-A17. ARMv8-A processors include support for virtualization.、
• KVM for PowerPC supports selected embedded cores. It also supports all 64-bit server / desktop class CPUs like the G5, POWER4 and above, Cell, 970MP, and 32-bit desktop class CPUs like the G3, G4, e300, etc.、
• Every S390 that has 64-bit support can use KVM. So if your mainframe is at least a z9, you're good!。