Where to Find KVM Documentation, Downloads, and Support Resources

Updated

The KVM project site at linux-kvm.org is the starting point for official documentation, downloads, and community support. The main navigation lists HOWTO, Documents, Downloads, and FAQ for learning and setup; Mailing Lists/IRC and Bugs for questions and problem reports; and Develop, Code, and TODO for contributors. The site is in English and is the project's own wiki, so treat it as the canonical index rather than a tutorial series.

Documentation and learning

The main page groups the practical entry points under About and Documents:

  • HOWTO — step-by-step setup guidance.
  • Documents — reference material and longer write-ups.
  • FAQ — answers to common questions before you ask the mailing list.
  • Book "qemu-kvm & libvirt" — a linked book for users working with QEMU and libvirt.

If you are new to KVM, read the FAQ first, then the HOWTO. The site describes KVM as a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware with Intel VT or AMD-V extensions, built from the loadable kernel module kvm.ko plus a processor-specific module (kvm-intel.ko or kvm-amd.ko). That description tells you what the documentation assumes: x86 hardware with virtualization extensions enabled.

Downloads and source

The Downloads entry is the place to look for project-provided files. Note what the site itself states about packaging: the kernel component of KVM has been in mainline Linux since 2.6.20, and the userspace component has been in mainline QEMU since 1.3. In practice, that means many users get KVM through their Linux distribution and QEMU rather than a separate download. The site does not state pricing or login requirements for any download, so check the Downloads page itself for what is offered and under what terms.

Support: asking questions and reporting bugs

Two navigation entries cover getting help:

Need Where to go What it is for
Ask a question, discuss usage Mailing Lists/IRC Community channels listed by the project
Report a defect Bugs The project's bug-tracking entry point

Before posting, check the FAQ and search the mailing list archives; the site also links Discussion and View history on wiki pages, which can show whether a topic has already been addressed. When reporting a bug, include your hardware virtualization support (Intel VT or AMD-V), kernel version, and QEMU version, since those determine which modules and userspace component are in play.

Browsing articles and event material

The main page surfaces two browsing aids:

  • New Pages — currently lists KVM Forum pages for 2020 through 2024.
  • Random Articles — links to technical write-ups such as "StableABI," "PowerPC," "Run," "Multiqueue-performance-2015-02-09," "Processor support," and "Running libvirt with KVM."

The Featured Article notes that the KVM project celebrated 10 years, with links to the announcement and an LWN.net history article. Conferences and KVM Forum collect event material if you want talks and slides rather than reference docs.

For developers and contributors

If you want to work on KVM itself rather than use it, the navigation points to:

  • Develop — development-oriented starting point.
  • Code — source code access.
  • TODO — known work items.
  • Status and Features Status and Guest Support Status — what is supported and where things stand.
  • Migration — material on moving running virtual machines.

The site also syndicates blogs from active KVM developers at planet.virt-tools.org, which is useful for following development discussion beyond the wiki.

A practical path

  1. Confirm your CPU supports Intel VT or AMD-V; without it, KVM as described here does not apply.
  2. Read the FAQ, then the HOWTO.
  3. Check Downloads for project files, but expect to use your distribution's kernel and QEMU packages given the mainline inclusion noted above.
  4. If something fails, search Mailing Lists/IRC archives, then post with your kernel and QEMU versions.
  5. For defects, use Bugs; for contribution, start at Develop and TODO.