What virtualization technology is set up on our VPS?
Virtual Private Servers (VPS) is a perfect choice between shared hosting and dedicated servers, as this type of hosting allows a well-balanced level of control, performance, and security. Virtualization technology is what makes it all possible.
Starlight VPS hosting uses KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), a popular open-source virtualization technology known for its robust performance and flexibility.
KVM is an open-source virtualization solution integrated directly into the Linux kernel, turning it into a bare-metal hypervisor. Hypervisor is a type of software that can manage multiple isolated virtual machines efficiently on a single server.
KVM requires hardware virtualization extensions like Intel VT-x or AMD-V to operate. These extensions allow KVM to make most of the hardware capabilities, assuring near-metal performance and efficient resource utilization.
Here you can see the architecture of KVM:
KVM Features
Hardware support
There is a wide choice of certified Linux-supported hardware platforms that support KVM. The hardware vendors frequently contribute to kernel development as well, so new hardware features are often quickly integrated into the Linux kernel.
Full virtualization
With full virtualization each VM gets the typical services of a physical system, like virtual BIOS and hardware. This allows users to run unmodified guest operating systems, as if they are running on a dedicated physical hardware.
Hardware emulation
KVM emulates the hardware components for VMs, such as CPU, RAM, network adapters, and storage devices.
Memory management
KVM inherits the memory management features of Linux, such as non-uniform memory access and kernel same-page merging. A virtual machine's memory can be swapped, supported by large volumes for improved performance, and either shared or backed by a disk file.
Storage
Any storage supported by Linux can be used for KVM, as, for instance, local disks and network-attached storage (NAS). Shared file systems are also supported and may be used by multiple hosts.
Live migration
Live migration in KVM allows moving a running VM between nodes with no service interruption. The VM stays online with active applications and network connections.
Lower latency and higher prioritization
The Linux kernel contains real-time extensions that enable VM-based applications to run with reduced latency and improved prioritization compared to bare metal systems. It also breaks down processes with long execution times into smaller tasks, which are then scheduled and processed efficiently.
Benefits of KVM
KVM offers various advantages as a virtualization solution, particularly for businesses and developers using Linux-based environments. Such features as integration into the Linux kernel and its open-source nature make KVM an excellent choice for efficient and secure virtualization. The main benefits of KVM are:
Compatibility: with KVM you have a wide choice of OS to install on a VM. You can also adjust the low-level kernel settings to fit your needs, as KVM only runs on hardware supporting hardware-assisted virtualization.
Performance: KVM is type 1 hypervisor, meaning that it is installed directly on a physical server without any software running between hardware and hypervisor. It allows to achieve near-metal high performance compared to type 2 hypervisors.
Scalability: As a Linux kernel module, KVM automatically adjusts to handle increased workloads as the number of virtual machines grows. With its Linux-based performance, KVM efficiently scales to meet the demands of resource-intensive applications.
Security: KVM makes most of Linux's security features, such as stable security patching and continuous development processes. There is also a reduced risk of cross-VM attacks achieved by isolating each VM via a combination of security-enhanced Linux (SELinux) and secure virtualization (sVirt).
Maturity: KVM was created in 2006 and has been continuously developed and improved since then making it a mature and reliable virtualization solution. It also receives regular support from an open-source community.
Conclusion
KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a powerful and versatile virtualization solution that transforms the Linux kernel into a hypervisor. Its deep integration with the Linux kernel, support for hardware acceleration, and robust performance make it an ideal choice for various applications, from server consolidation to cloud computing.