Re: User feedback

[Avi Kivity <avi-atKUWr5tajBWk0Htik3J/w@public.gmane.org>]

rob wilco wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have been using KVM on debian 4.1 lenny with several virtual
> machines (debian 4.0 etch, fedora 7, centos4) every day for work for
> the past two weeks. The machine is a Dell Optiplex 745 with an Intel
> Core Duo 2.
>
> What I like the most is the simplicity of the set up. The wiki page on
> debian is short, super clear and correct.
> (kvm.qumranet.com/kvmwiki/Debian)
>
> Compared to Xen, I like the fact that I keep my debian kernel and
> drivers. It is less invasive: 'modprobe kvm-intel' is really
> convenient. Also, compared to Xen it works 'out of the box'.
>
> VM configuration with command line options also helps to get a VM
> running in a few seconds. Compared to VMware, the creation of a new VM
> is easier: less mandatory parameters. Except maybe for the '-net'
> parameters which are not cristal clear to me.
>
> So far, the host and VMs have never crashed which is a great confort
> when you want it to 'just work' and focus on your job.
>
> Also, there are few things that I find not easy to do :
>
>  - I can't mount the logical volume where the VM sits, I guess it is
> the qcow format not 'recognised' by mount. It is cool to be able to do
> that with Xen or Vserver, you do not have to boot the machine or read
> the docs on the qcow format to check out a file.
>   

qcow is just one of the formats supported by kvm.  You can easily use a 
logical volume for your disks, just as with Xen.

>  - I can't launch kvm from a console and still see the kernel boot
> message (i'll dig into the qemu options someday)
>   

You can, using the '-serial' option.

>  - the VM will almost pause when you're not watching! It is quite
> obvious on a VM boot:  when you're working on another virtual desktop
> ! Does it have something to do with the debian kernel being maybe
> optimized for 'desktop usage' and the active window getting most of
> the responsiveness? I tried to 'nice' kvm without much noticeable
> effect.
>   

This has been reported before.  I can't understand why it happens 
though.  Can you check if it happens with the -no-kvm switch?

>
> We work in the Telco field and see the virtualization tools mainly for
> development and tests purpose. Production architecture based on
> virtualization are in the roadmap though.
>
> I guess the company will go VMWare as it has an ecosystem of third
> party companies offering expertise on VMWare deployment architectures.
> If the techies have a say, we will propose Xen or Vserver as these two
> technologies have
> several years of experience and user feedback.
>
>   

One thing that kvm uniquely supports is the ability to run real-time 
applications alongside virtual machines.  I don't think any other 
solution provides that facility.


-- 
Any sufficiently difficult bug is indistinguishable from a feature.


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