One of the standout features is the automatic utilization of modern virtualization functionalities supported by KVM, such as Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller virtualization (APICv). This integration ensures that users benefit from cutting-edge virtualization capabilities, potentially enhancing the performance and responsiveness of their VMs.
A noteworthy advantage lies in the fact that KVM is an integral part of the Linux kernel. This implies that users can access KVM directly with every kernel update, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance without the need for additional configurations or driver installations. The streamlined integration with the Linux kernel positions VirtualBox KVM as a robust and reliable choice for virtualization enthusiasts within the Linux ecosystem.
It's essential to acknowledge that, due to the shift in the underlying hypervisor from VirtualBox to KVM, there may be variations in guest performance. The extent of these differences is contingent upon the specific workload of the guest VM. Virtualization enthusiasts should carefully assess their use cases to determine the impact on performance and make informed decisions based on their unique requirements. However, both hypervisor can be used simultaneously. This approach has been developed and published by cyberus Technology from Dresden, Germany. The corresponding sourcecode can be found on their GitHub account within the resources section. Binary packages are not delivered but I have you covered, you may also find those for Debian and Ubuntu based systems in the resource chapter to download.
In conclusion, VirtualBox KVM emerges as a promising evolution in the virtualization landscape, offering a bridge between the familiarity of VirtualBox and the robust capabilities of the Linux KVM hypervisor. Users can anticipate a smoother, more flexible virtualization experience with the added benefits of improved compatibility, simplified installation, and access to advanced virtualization features. As with any technological transition, it is advisable for users to evaluate their specific needs and workloads to make the most of this innovative virtualization solution.
Features
* VirtualBox kernel driver (vboxdrv) is not required
* It can run in parallel (Vbox, KVM)
* Modern virtualization features are supported (e.g. APICv)
* KVM is already present in the vanilla kernel
Limitations
Currently, there're still some limitations and issues that should be kept in mind when using the KVM hypervisor support:
* Only Intel x86_64 is currently supported
* AMD should work but is experimental
* Only Linux is currently supported
* Intel Core Gen 11th and newer must turn off split lock detection
* GCC >= 12 may bring up compile errors
Building from Source
If you do not like to use the pre-compiled packages from the resource chapter you can also compile it from source pretty easy:
git clone https://github.com/cyberus-technology/virtualbox-kvm.git
cd virtualbox-kvm
./configure --with-kvm --disable-kmods --disable-docs --disable-hardening --disable-java
source ./env.sh
kmk
Resources
* Source: cyberus-technology/virtualbox-kvm
* Package: VirtualBox_KVM_Ubuntu22.04.tgz
* Package: VirtualBox_KVM_Ubuntu23.10.gcc11.tgz
* Package: VirtualBox_KVM_Debian12.tgz