KVM, or Kernel-based Virtual Machine, is an open-source virtualization solution for Linux systems. It allows users to create and manage virtual machines on their host system. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing KVM on Ubuntu 24.04.

Step 1: Update your system
Before installing any new software, it’s a good practice to update your system to ensure you have the latest packages. Run the following commands in your terminal to update your Ubuntu system:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install KVM packages
Once your system is up to date, you can install the KVM packages by running the following command:

sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils

This command will install the necessary packages for KVM virtualization, including QEMU-KVM (the virtualization software), libvirt (the virtualization API), and bridge-utils (for configuring network bridges).

Step 3: Start and enable the libvirtd service
After installing the KVM packages, you need to start and enable the libvirtd service. This service is responsible for managing virtual machines on your system. Run the following commands to start and enable the service:

sudo systemctl start libvirtd
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd

Step 4: Add your user to the libvirt group
To manage virtual machines using KVM, you need to add your user to the libvirt group. This will allow you to run virtual machines without using sudo. Run the following command to add your user to the libvirt group:

sudo usermod -aG libvirt $USER

Step 5: Reboot your system
After adding your user to the libvirt group, it’s recommended to reboot your system to apply the changes. Run the following command to reboot your Ubuntu system:

sudo reboot

Step 6: Verify KVM installation
Once your system has restarted, you can verify the KVM installation by running the following command in your terminal:

virsh –version

If KVM has been successfully installed, you should see the version of libvirt installed on your system.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed KVM on Ubuntu 24.04. You can now start creating and managing virtual machines on your host system using KVM. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, feel free to refer to the official documentation or seek help from the Ubuntu community.