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Chapter 2. Installing the Virtualization Packages

To use virtualization, Red Hat virtualization packages must be installed on your computer. Virtualization packages can be installed when installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux or after installation using the yum command and the Subscription Manager application.
The KVM hypervisor uses the default Red Hat Enterprise Linux kernel with the kvm kernel module.

2.1. Installing Virtualization Packages During a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation

This section provides information about installing virtualization packages while installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Note

For detailed information about installing Red Hat Enterprise Linux, see the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Installation Guide.

Important

The Anaconda interface only offers the option to install Red Hat virtualization packages during the installation of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server.
When installing a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation, the Red Hat virtualization packages can only be installed after the workstation installation is complete. See Section 2.2, “Installing Virtualization Packages on an Existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux System”

Procedure 2.1. Installing virtualization packages

  1. Select software

    Follow the installation procedure until the Installation Summary screen.
    Image shows the Installation Summary screen, which lists configurable options under group headings. Under the Localization heading : Date & Time, Language Support, and Keyboard. Under the Software heading: Installation Source and Software Selection. Under the System heading: Installation Destination and Network & Hostname.

    Figure 2.1. The Installation Summary screen

    In the Installation Summary screen, click Software Selection. The Software Selection screen opens.

  2. Select the server type and package groups

    You can install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 with only the basic virtualization packages or with packages that allow management of guests through a graphical user interface. Do one of the following:
    • Install a minimal virtualization host
      Select the Virtualization Host radio button in the Base Environment pane and the Virtualization Platform check box in the Add-Ons for Selected Environment pane. This installs a basic virtualization environment which can be run with virsh or remotely over the network.
      Image shows the Software Selection screen, which lists options under two headings: Base Environment and Add-Ons for Selected Environment. Virtualization Host is highlighted from the options under Base Environment, and Virtualization Platform is highlighted from the options under Add-Ons for Selected Environment.

      Figure 2.2. Virtualization Host selected in the Software Selection screen

    • Install a virtualization host with a graphical user interface
      Select the Server with GUI radio button in the Base Environment pane and the Virtualization Client, Virtualization Hypervisor, and Virtualization Tools check boxes in the Add-Ons for Selected Environment pane. This installs a virtualization environment along with graphical tools for installing and managing guest virtual machines.
      Image shows the Software Selection screen, which lists options under two headings: Base Environment and Add-Ons for Selected Environment. Server with GUI is highlighted from the options under Base Environment, and Virtualization Client, Virtualization Hypervisor, and Virtualization Tools are highlighted from the options under Add-Ons for Selected Environment.

      Figure 2.3. Server with GUI selected in the software selection screen

  3. Finalize installation

    Click Done and continue with the installation.

Important

You need a valid Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription to receive updates for the virtualization packages.

2.1.1. Installing KVM Packages with Kickstart Files

To use a Kickstart file to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux with the virtualization packages, append the following package groups in the %packages section of your Kickstart file:
Copy to Clipboard Toggle word wrap 
@virtualization-hypervisor
@virtualization-client
@virtualization-platform
@virtualization-tools
For more information about installing with Kickstart files, see the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Installation Guide.
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