QEMU vs.

KVM: A Comprehensive Guide

afrozahmad.com/blog/qemu-vs-kvm

May 11, 2023

ByAfroz Ahmad
UpdatedMarch 21, 2024
InCloudData CenterServer
Read Time6 mins

Virtualization technologies, like QEMU and KVM, are both utilized to run VNFs in
OpenStack or experiment with virtual environments in GNS3 or EVE-NG. However,
understanding the key differences between QEMU vs. KVM is essential.

Simply put, QEMU is a type 2 hypervisor known for its ability to emulate various
hardware platforms and CPU architectures, making it ideal for development and testing
environments. On the other hand, KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) operates as a
type 1 hypervisor, offering hardware-assisted virtualization for Linux, leading to superior
performance in production environments.

While both serve as powerful tools for virtualization, their optimal use cases differ
significantly. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into how these technologies compare and
how to leverage their strengths effectively.

KVM vs. Qemu

Here’s a detailed comparison table for QEMU vs KVM:

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 Feature QEMU KVM

Type Type 2 Hypervisor (runs on a host Type 1 Hypervisor (runs directly

OS) on hardware)

Hardware Emulates hardware in software Utilizes hardware-assisted

virtualization (slow) virtualization (faster)

CPU Can emulate different CPU Requires CPU with virtualization

emulation architectures (e.g., ARM on x86 or extensions (e.g., Intel VT or
PPC on ARM) AMD-V)

Integration Can run standalone or in Requires a user-space

conjunction with KVM for better component, often QEMU, to
performance provide the virtual hardware
emulation

Performance Slower due to software-based Faster due to hardware-assisted

emulation virtualization

Host OS Works on multiple host operating Limited to Linux-based host

support systems operating systems

Application Ideal for testing and development Ideal for production environments
environments where CPU where performance is critical
architecture emulation is required

Please note that QEMU and KVM are often used together, with QEMU providing the
virtual hardware emulation and KVM providing the hardware-assisted virtualization to
significantly improve performance.

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 Click on the Image to Enlarge

Understanding Virtualization: The Basics

Before we dive into the intricacies of QEMU vs. KVM, it’s essential to understand the
basics of virtualization. Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of a
resource, such as a server, storage device, or network, which can be managed and
allocated efficiently. This technology allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a
single physical host, providing significant advantages in terms of cost, scalability, and
flexibility.

Make sure you read the below posts to grasp more knowledge on virtualization.

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 1. What does VPS stand for
2. How to choose VPS hosting provider for Web Hosting

Hypervisors: The Heart of Virtualization

Hypervisors are the core components of virtualization solutions, as they enable the
creation and management of virtual machines. There are two types of hypervisors:

1. Type 1 (Bare Metal): These hypervisors run directly on the host’s hardware,
offering better performance and resource utilization.
2. Type 2 (Hosted): These hypervisors run on a host operating system and provide
virtualization functionality through software emulation.

With this foundational knowledge, let’s explore QEMU and KVM in detail.

QEMU: A Flexible Type 2 Hypervisor

QEMU, the Quick Emulator, is a hosted hypervisor that achieves hardware virtualization
through software emulation. It offers an extensive array of virtual hardware components,
including disk, network, VGA, PCI, USB, serial/parallel ports, and more.

One of QEMU’s most significant advantages is its ability to emulate different CPU
architectures using dynamic binary translation (DBT). This feature enables code written
for one processor to be executed on another, such as running ARM code on x86
hardware.

While QEMU is highly flexible, it is also slower compared to hardware-assisted

virtualization solutions due to its reliance on software emulation. This is where KVM
comes into play.

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This diagram represents the QEMU virtualization technology. QEMU operates in user
space and provides CPU emulation through dynamic binary translation (DBT). It also
emulates virtual hardware components, such as disk, network, VGA, PCI, USB, serial,
and parallel ports.

KVM: A High-Performance Type 1 Hypervisor

KVM or Kernel-based Virtual Machine is a type-1 hypervisor integrated into the Linux
kernel as a module. It provides a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware
equipped with virtualization extensions, such as Intel VT or AMD-V.

Full virtualization refers to the process of emulating a virtual CPU (vCPU) by the
hypervisor, which translates instructions intended for the vCPU to the physical CPU. This
translation causes a considerable performance impact.

Modern processors with virtualization extensions, like Intel VT-x and AMD-V, allow a slice
of the physical CPU to be directly mapped to the vCPU, enabling instructions intended for
the vCPU to be executed directly on the physical CPU slice. This hardware-assisted

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virtualization significantly improves performance.

This diagram represents the KVM virtualization technology. KVM operates as a Linux
kernel module within kernel space, providing hardware-assisted virtualization using Intel
VT or AMD-V. This allows for efficient mapping between virtual CPUs (vCPUs) and
physical CPUs.

The Synergy between QEMU and KVM

Although QEMU can function independently, its software emulation causes it to be slower
than desired. To address this issue, QEMU can utilize KVM as an accelerator,
leveraging the hardware virtualization features provided by modern processors.

A Historical Perspective
The confusion between QEMU and KVM can be traced back to their intertwined history.
Initially, KVM was a fork of QEMU, known as qemu-kvm. However, this fork has been
discontinued and merged into QEMU’s mainline code. As a result, the kernel component
of KVM is now included in the mainline Linux kernel (since version 2.6.20), and the
userspace component is integrated into QEMU (since version 1.3).

Making the Right Choice: QEMU, KVM, or Both?

When selecting a virtualization solution, it’s crucial to consider the specific requirements
of your organization. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Performance: If high performance is a priority, KVM is the better choice due to its
hardware-assisted virtualization capabilities. However, if flexibility is more critical,
QEMU’s ability to emulate various CPU architectures might be more appealing.

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 Hardware Support: KVM requires hardware with virtualization extensions (Intel VT
or AMD-V). If your hardware does not support these extensions, QEMU can still
provide virtualization through software emulation, albeit with reduced performance.
Operating System: KVM is tightly integrated with the Linux kernel, making it an
ideal choice for Linux-based environments. On the other hand, QEMU supports a
broader range of host operating systems, including Windows and macOS.

In many cases, using QEMU in conjunction with KVM can provide the best of both worlds:
the flexibility of QEMU’s hardware emulation and the performance boost of KVM’s
hardware-assisted virtualization.

Conclusion
In summary, QEMU is a type 2 hypervisor that runs within user space and performs
virtual hardware emulation. On the other hand, KVM is a type 1 hypervisor that runs in
kernel space, enabling user space programs to access the hardware virtualization
features of various processors.

Understanding the differences between QEMU and KVM, as well as their unique
strengths, is crucial for choosing the right virtualization solution for your organization.
While QEMU offers flexibility through its software emulation capabilities, KVM provides
superior performance through hardware-assisted virtualization.

By leveraging the synergistic relationship between QEMU and KVM, organizations can
achieve optimal performance and flexibility in their virtual environments. With a clear
understanding of these technologies, you can make well-informed decisions that meet
your organization’s specific virtualization needs.

Afroz Ahmad
I'm Afroz, a Network Engineer and CCIE with 17 years of experience in
Computer Networking, Data Centers, Telecom, Internet Services and ISPs.
Currently, I work as a Network Designer for a leading ISP equipment
vendor. I share my expertise through my blog and courses, aiming to share
my knowledge and simplify complex networking concepts for both
beginners and experienced professionals.

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