Installation guide

Chapter 5. Virtualization Tools
This chapter provides an introduction to the many tools available to assist with virtualization.
5.1. vi rsh
virsh is a command line interface (CLI) tool for managing the hypervisor and guest virtual machines.
The vi rsh command line tool is built on the lib virt management API and operates as an alternative
to the q emu-kvm command and the graphical virt - man ag er application. The vi rsh command can
be used in read-only mode by unprivileged users or, with root access, full administrative
functionality. The vi rsh command is ideal for scripting virtualization administration. In addition the
vi rsh tool is a main management interface for vi rsh guest domains and can be used to create,
pause, and shut down domains, as well as list current domains. This tool is installed as part of the
libvirt-client package.
Note
Refer to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Virtualization Administration Guide for more information
about managing virtual machines with vi rsh.
5.2. vi rt-manag er
virt-manager is a lightweight graphical tool for managing virtual machines. It provides the ability to
control the life cycle of existing machines, provision new machines, manage virtual networks, access
the graphical console of virtual machines, and view performance statistics. This tool ships in its own
package called virt-manager.
Note
Refer to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Virtualization Administration Guide for more information
about managing virtual machines with vi rt-manag er.
5.3. vi rt-i nstal l
virt-install is a command line tool to provision new virtual machines. It supports both text-based and
graphical installations, using serial console, SDL, SPICE, or VNC client/server pair graphics.
Installation media can be local, or exist remotely on an NFS, HTTP, or FTP server. The tool can also
be configured to run unattended and kickstart the guest when installation is complete, allowing for
easy automation of installation. This tool is installed as part of the python-virtinst package.
Note
Refer to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Virtualization Host Configuration and Guest Installation Guide
for more information about vi rt-i nstal l .
⁠Chapt er 5. Virt ualizat ion T ools
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