KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a virtualization solution that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical server. It is a type-1 hypervisor that runs directly on the host machine’s hardware, allowing for optimal performance and resource utilization.

KVM works by creating a virtualized environment on top of the host machine’s operating system (OS). Each virtual machine is given its own virtual hardware, including virtual CPUs, memory, network interfaces, and storage. This allows multiple VMs to run concurrently on a single physical server, each running its own operating system and applications.

KVM supports a wide range of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. It also provides a robust set of management tools for configuring and managing the virtualized environment, including a command-line interface and graphical user interface.

One of the key advantages of KVM is its scalability. It can support hundreds of virtual machines on a single host machine, making it an ideal solution for large-scale virtualization deployments. KVM also provides strong isolation between virtual machines, ensuring that one VM cannot affect the performance or stability of other VMs running on the same physical server.

KVM is an open-source solution and is included as part of many Linux distributions, making it a cost-effective option for organizations looking to implement virtualization.