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Asked: 2024-09-24T21:12:58+05:30 In: ,

What steps should I follow to install QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10?

I’ve been wanting to dive into some virtualization stuff on my Ubuntu 23.10 machine, and I heard QEMU is a great tool for that. But honestly, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with where to start. It’s not that I haven’t tinkered around with Linux before; I just don’t want to mess things up with my setup.

So, I was hoping some of you could help me out. What steps should I follow to install QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10? A big part of my confusion comes from all the different versions and dependencies out there. I’ve read some posts that mention using APT, and others that suggest downloading from source. Should I go with the APT method for simplicity, or is there a compelling reason to compile from source?

Also, what packages do I need to ensure I have a fully functional setup? Do I need to install anything extra if I want to run specific operating systems as guests, like Windows or another Linux distro? I’ve heard that QEMU can be a bit tricky with networking as well, so if anyone has tips on that side of things, I would love to hear them.

I’m quite keen on leveraging KVM alongside QEMU for some better performance, so if you all could point out any configuration steps for that as well, it would be super helpful! I’ve seen some conflicting advice about needing to enable virtualization in the BIOS; is that a must? And what about permissions or user groups? I want to avoid those “permission denied” messages down the line!

Anyway, if you could break it down into manageable steps or even share your own experiences with installing QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10, that would be fantastic. I’m sure there are some nuances that would be beneficial for both newbies and those who are a bit more experienced. Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers



    1. Installing QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10

      To install QEMU on your Ubuntu 23.10 machine, the simplest method is to utilize the APT package manager. Start by updating your package list and installing QEMU along with its associated packages by running the following commands in the terminal:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install qemu qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils

      This command installs QEMU, KVM for virtualization, and important networking utilities like bridge-utils. With these packages, you will have a functional virtualization setup. It’s advisable to enable virtualization in your BIOS settings, as this is crucial for KVM to function optimally. For user permissions, ensure your user account is added to the ‘libvirt’ and ‘kvm’ groups to prevent permission issues during operation:

      sudo usermod -aG libvirt,kvm $USER

      After making these changes, log out and back in for the group changes to take effect. If you plan to run specific guest operating systems like Windows or other Linux distros, you may need additional packages for drivers or utilities specific to the guest OS. Networking can be configured through ‘virt-manager’ (using a graphical interface) or directly in QEMU’s command line, but remember to consult networking documentation for optimal setups. Overall, using the APT method is recommended for simplicity unless you need to customize QEMU heavily, in which case compiling from source might be considered.




    2. Getting Started with QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10

      Installing QEMU on Ubuntu 23.10

      Okay, so you want to dive into virtualization with QEMU on your Ubuntu 23.10 machine. Totally understandable! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started.

      1. Update Your System

      First things first, make sure your system is up to date. Open your terminal and run:

      sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

      2. Install QEMU

      For simplicity, it’s definitely easier to go with the APT method. Just run this in the terminal:

      sudo apt install qemu qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils

      3. Check If KVM is Supported

      You mentioned wanting to use KVM for better performance, so let’s check if your CPU supports it. Run:

      egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

      If it returns a number greater than 0, you’re good to go. If it’s 0, you probably need to enable virtualization in your BIOS.

      4. Enable KVM

      If you’ve confirmed virtualization is supported, you can load the KVM module:

      sudo modprobe kvm

      5. Add Your User to the KVM and Libvirt Groups

      To avoid those pesky “permission denied” errors later, add yourself to the necessary groups:

      sudo usermod -aG kvm $USER
      sudo usermod -aG libvirt $USER

      Log out and back in for the changes to take effect.

      6. Networking Tips

      Networking can be a little tricky with QEMU. If you want your guests to be able to access the internet, consider using a bridge network. This can be done with the bridge-utils package you installed. You may want to look up more detailed guides on how to set that up based on your specific needs.

      7. Guest OS Configuration

      If you want to run a specific OS like Windows or another Linux distro, you might need additional packages or drivers, like the virtio drivers for better performance. Just check the documentation for the OS you’re trying to run.

      8. Run QEMU

      Now you can start creating virtual machines! Here’s a basic command to run a VM:

      qemu-system-x86_64 -hda your-image.img -m 2048 -boot d

      Replace your-image.img with the path to your virtual machine image file.

      Final Tips

      Don’t forget to check the QEMU documentation for more advanced features and options. And take your time, it’s totally normal to feel a bit lost at first. Happy virtualization!


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