The following table provides definitions for some of the terms that are used in this document.
Term | Definition |
KVM | Kernel-based virtual machine |
Hypervisor | The software/hardware/firmware that creates/manages/runs virtual machines. It can manage a physical host’s hardware for this purpose. |
Snapshot | A point-in-time copy of a virtual machine which may or may not include the running state of the virtual machine. This snapshot can be used for restores or backups. |
oVirt | oVirt is a free open-source distributed virtualization solution which can manage a KVM environment. |
oVirt Engine | The oVirt Engine is the management tool that is used to configure, customize, and monitor the KVM environment. |
OVM | Open Virtualization Manager – the UI of KVM |
VMV | Virtual Machine Viewer |
QEMU | Quick Emulator – Enables creation and management of VMs on virtualization platform. |
VDSM | Virtual Desktop Server Manager |
VM | Virtual Machine |
Node/Host | Both terms refer to a physical machine with the KVM hypervisor. |
Device/volume | These terms are used interchangeably to refer to a host device. |
Guest OS | The operating system running on a VM. |
FC | Fibre Channel |
MDM | Meta Data Manager |
SDC | Storage Data Client |
SDS | Storage Data Server |
Part number | Release date | Description |
H19873 | January 2024 | Initial release |