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    KVM Desktop Setup Ideas

    Water Closet
    fedora kvm virtualization hypervisor linux
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    • DustinB3403D
      DustinB3403
      last edited by

      What you'll likely have to do is copy-ssh-id for your server to make administration easier. but Virt-Manager absolutely can remotely administer a KVM server or fleet of them.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • bbigfordB
        bbigford @scottalanmiller
        last edited by

        @scottalanmiller said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

        @DustinB3403 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        @scottalanmiller said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        @DustinB3403 said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        @dafyre said in What Are You Doing Right Now:

        KVM is also nice because you can continue using that machine as a regular desktop as well, if you need to do so. (Can't do that with VMware, Hyper-V or XenServer).

        No one expects to use their Type 1 hypervisor as a desktop.

        What? Tons do. Both KVM and Hyper-V are very popular for exactly this.

        No. . . very few people say "I'm going to install Hyper-V and use it as my daily driver on my Dell Server" no one does that.

        Actually a HUGE number do. It's insanely common for developers especially and IT folk. It's hard to state how common this is.

        Have you never heard of the desktop virtualization market? This is a totally normal thing. Nearly everyone I know does this, both IT and dev and loads that are neither.

        The only reason I don't use Hyper-V for testing is because we get VMware Workstation for free as a partner; I used VirtualBox for a long time when Hyper-V on Windows 7 couldn't create virtual machines, just to test out a few things or use it as a place to keep up-to-date images which I could capture later for deployment without using any additional server resources.

        Type 1 definitely runs better as it doesn't stack the hypervisor on top of the OS, but I definitely don't see VMware Workstation going away.

        I can see a couple niche things about VMware Workstation though; of course, there is more to add to the list. 1) Many that don't use it to push new configs to their VMware environment; if it's just being used as stand alone for some VMs, you could use literally anything else (and many are free obviously). 2) Nested virtualization to test clustering, site replication, etc while not needing to buy really expensive hardware.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • hobbit666H
          hobbit666
          last edited by

          OK so i've added the 2nd hard drive to Fedora, formatted and mounted.

          I'm now struggling on how to manage the system and VM's.
          I'm using Cockpit and it's ok for basic maintenance. But can't get it create the VM on the 2nd drive.

          I've installed virt-manager but not sure how to "connect" to it from my machine.

          DustinB3403D DashrenderD black3dynamiteB 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • DustinB3403D
            DustinB3403 @hobbit666
            last edited by

            @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

            OK so i've added the 2nd hard drive to Fedora, formatted and mounted.

            I'm now struggling on how to manage the system and VM's.
            I'm using Cockpit and it's ok for basic maintenance. But can't get it create the VM on the 2nd drive.

            I've installed virt-manager but not sure how to "connect" to it from my machine.

            Using Virt-Manager you need to create a storage pool.

            black3dynamiteB 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • DashrenderD
              Dashrender @hobbit666
              last edited by

              @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

              OK so i've added the 2nd hard drive to Fedora, formatted and mounted.

              I'm now struggling on how to manage the system and VM's.
              I'm using Cockpit and it's ok for basic maintenance. But can't get it create the VM on the 2nd drive.

              I've installed virt-manager but not sure how to "connect" to it from my machine.

              Where did you install virt-manager? I think that has to be on the machine you are working from, not on the KVM machine.

              DustinB3403D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • DustinB3403D
                DustinB3403 @Dashrender
                last edited by DustinB3403

                @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                OK so i've added the 2nd hard drive to Fedora, formatted and mounted.

                I'm now struggling on how to manage the system and VM's.
                I'm using Cockpit and it's ok for basic maintenance. But can't get it create the VM on the 2nd drive.

                I've installed virt-manager but not sure how to "connect" to it from my machine.

                Where did you install virt-manager? I think that has to be on the machine you are working from, not on the KVM machine.

                It can be on both, if the KVM Hypervisor has a desktop that can be operated from.

                Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                Last edit for clarity: Virt-Manager can and often does come preinstalled with the KVM role and automatically manages itself. Wanting to use this host in a headless state would require remote management tools to be installed on a laptop or desktop running Linux (likely Fedora Workstation).

                DashrenderD hobbit666H 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • DashrenderD
                  Dashrender @DustinB3403
                  last edited by

                  @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                  @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                  @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                  OK so i've added the 2nd hard drive to Fedora, formatted and mounted.

                  I'm now struggling on how to manage the system and VM's.
                  I'm using Cockpit and it's ok for basic maintenance. But can't get it create the VM on the 2nd drive.

                  I've installed virt-manager but not sure how to "connect" to it from my machine.

                  Where did you install virt-manager? I think that has to be on the machine you are working from, not on the KVM machine.

                  It can be on both, if the KVM Hypervisor has a desktop that can be operated from.

                  Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc. (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                  aww - true true - Like you the other day - after the conversation I assumed he was admin'ing this box completely remotely (even if it is just on the other side of the room).

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • hobbit666H
                    hobbit666 @DustinB3403
                    last edited by

                    @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                    Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                    Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                    DustinB3403D dafyreD DashrenderD 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DustinB3403D
                      DustinB3403 @hobbit666
                      last edited by

                      @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                      @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                      Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                      Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                      You can't install virt-manager on Windows as far as I know. Virt-Viewer is available, but that literally is just a guest console utility.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • dafyreD
                        dafyre @hobbit666
                        last edited by

                        @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                        @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                        Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                        Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                        You can install Virt-Manager on Windows 10 via Cygwin... But I will say running Virt-Manager from a Linux VM actually runs better.

                        I can look up the Cygwin instructions if you want.

                        DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • DashrenderD
                          Dashrender @dafyre
                          last edited by

                          @dafyre said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                          @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                          @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                          Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                          Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                          You can install Virt-Manager on Windows 10 via Cygwin... But I will say running Virt-Manager from a Linux VM actually runs better.

                          I can look up the Cygwin instructions if you want.

                          What about Virt-manager in the Linux on windows or whatever it's called theses days that comes with Windows 10?

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • DashrenderD
                            Dashrender @hobbit666
                            last edited by

                            @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                            @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                            Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                            Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                            You could use Hyper-V on Win 10 (assuming it's Pro) to install a Fedora VM, and use Virt-Manager from that locally on the Win10 machine.

                            DustinB3403D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • DustinB3403D
                              DustinB3403
                              last edited by

                              This conversation started with ambiguity and confusion and people making wide ranging assumptions based on what @hobbit666 wanted to do with this.

                              I get Windows 10 is great for day to day things, especially if this is also your gaming device (assuming you game) and you don't want to wipe it out and reload it.

                              So to ask the question, why not just install VirtualBox on this Windows 10 system, create a small Fedora Workstation installation for just managing your KVM box.

                              DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • DustinB3403D
                                DustinB3403 @Dashrender
                                last edited by

                                @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                                Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                                You could use Hyper-V on Win 10 (assuming it's Pro) to install a Fedora VM, and use Virt-Manager from that locally on the Win10 machine.

                                That too is another option. Not a path I would go down for this project. But still an option.

                                This is his lab, adding a separate hypervisor to manage (or even Windows to manage KVM) just complicates things.

                                DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • DashrenderD
                                  Dashrender @DustinB3403
                                  last edited by

                                  @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                  So to ask the question, why not just install VirtualBox on this Windows 10 system, create a small Fedora Workstation installation for just managing your KVM box.

                                  With all that pre ample you start by suggeting VirtualBox? instead of asking if he has Windows 10 Pro or Home - then suggesting as the situation dictates?

                                  DustinB3403D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • dafyreD
                                    dafyre
                                    last edited by

                                    These are the instructions I've written. This is a first draft, so if you want to give them a try, check them out at -- no login required.

                                    https://stack.wellston.biz/books/configuring-virt-manager-to-run-on-windows

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • DashrenderD
                                      Dashrender @DustinB3403
                                      last edited by

                                      @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                      @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                      @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                      @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                      Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                                      Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                                      You could use Hyper-V on Win 10 (assuming it's Pro) to install a Fedora VM, and use Virt-Manager from that locally on the Win10 machine.

                                      That too is another option. Not a path I would go down for this project. But still an option.

                                      This is his lab, adding a separate hypervisor to manage (or even Windows to manage KVM) just complicates things.

                                      What - what? You suggested that he add a hypervisor (VirtualBox).

                                      DustinB3403D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • DustinB3403D
                                        DustinB3403 @Dashrender
                                        last edited by

                                        @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                        @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                        So to ask the question, why not just install VirtualBox on this Windows 10 system, create a small Fedora Workstation installation for just managing your KVM box.

                                        With all that pre ample you start by suggeting VirtualBox? instead of asking if he has Windows 10 Pro or Home - then suggesting as the situation dictates?

                                        Hyper-V is more complex as it shifts his daily driver off of the hardware and onto the hypervisor. It's more complex for something he may use for a a day, a week or a month.

                                        It's never not an option, but it isn't an option I'd recommend out of the gate since Vbox doesn't reshape his daily driver.

                                        DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • DustinB3403D
                                          DustinB3403 @Dashrender
                                          last edited by

                                          @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                          @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                          @Dashrender said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                          @hobbit666 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                          @DustinB3403 said in KVM Desktop Setup Ideas:

                                          Otherwise, yes it would need to be installed on a management pc(running linux of course). (Think of it a lot like Hyper-V with Windows 10 Hyper-V Manager)

                                          Ah i be using Win10 as the daily driver 🙂

                                          You could use Hyper-V on Win 10 (assuming it's Pro) to install a Fedora VM, and use Virt-Manager from that locally on the Win10 machine.

                                          That too is another option. Not a path I would go down for this project. But still an option.

                                          This is his lab, adding a separate hypervisor to manage (or even Windows to manage KVM) just complicates things.

                                          What - what? You suggested that he add a hypervisor (VirtualBox).

                                          A Type 2, not a Type 1.

                                          Type 1's as Daily Drivers are more complex and take more to manage.

                                          DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • hobbit666H
                                            hobbit666
                                            last edited by

                                            Sorry should of been clearer on what i've got/using and the goals

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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