Installing the virtualization packages

5.1. Installing KVM with a new Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation
5.2. Installing virtualization packages on an existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux system
Before you can use virtualization, the virtualization packages must be installed on your computer. Virtualization packages can be
installed either during the host installation sequence or after host installation using the yumcommand and the Red Hat Network
(RHN).
The KVM hypervisor uses the default Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel with the kvm kernel module.
5.1. Installing KVM with a new Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation
This section covers installing virtualization tools and virtualization packages as part of a fresh Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation.
Need help installing?
The Installation Guide (available from http://docs.redhat.com) covers installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux in detail.
1. Start an interactive Red Hat Enterprise Linux installation from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation CD-ROM, DVD or
PXE.
2. You must enter a valid installation number when prompted to receive access to the virtualization and other Advanced
Platform packages.
3. Complete the other steps up to the package selection step.

Select the Virtual Host server role to install a platform for virtualized guests. Alternatively, select theCustomize
Now radio button to specify individual packages.
4. Select the Virtualization package group. This selects the qemu-kvm emulator, virt-
manager, libvirtand virt-viewer for installation.

5. Customize the packages (if required)
Customize the Virtualization group if you require other virtualization packages.

Press the Close button then the Next button to continue the installation.
Note
You require a valid RHN virtualization entitlement to receive updates for the virtualization packages.
Installing KVM packages with Kickstart files
This section describes how to use a Kickstart file to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux with the Virtualization packages. Kickstart files
allow for large, automated installations without a user manually installing each individual host system. The steps in this section will
assist you in creating and using a Kickstart file to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux with the virtualization packages.
In the %packages section of your Kickstart file, append the following package groups:
@virtualization
@virtualization-client
@virtualization-platform
@virtualization-tools
More information on Kickstart files can be found on Red Hat's website, http://docs.redhat.com, in the Installation Guide.