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B.3. Using KVM Virtualization on ARM Systems

Important

KVM virtualization is provided in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 and later for the 64-bit ARM architecture. As such, KVM virtualization on ARM systems is not supported by Red Hat, not intended for use in a production environment, and may not address known security vulnerabilities. In addition, because KVM virtualization on ARM is still in rapid development, the information below is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

Installation

To use install virtualization on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 for ARM:
  1. Install the host system from the bootable image on the Customer Portal.
  2. After the system is installed, install the virtualization stack on the system by using the following command:
    # yum install qemu-kvm-ma libvirt libvirt-client virt-install AAVMF
    Make sure you have the Optional channel enabled for the installation to succeed.

Architecture Specifics

KVM virtualization on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5 for the 64-bit ARM architecture differs from KVM on AMD64 and Intel 64 systems in the following:
  • PXE booting is only supported with the virtio-net-device and virtio-net-pci network interface controllers (NICs). In addition, the built-in VirtioNetDxe driver of the ARM Architecture Virtual Machine Firmware (AAVMF) needs to be used for PXE booting. Note that iPXE option ROMs are not supported.
  • Only up to 123 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) can be allocated to a single guest.