KVM-Manager Author: Daniel Kahn Gillmor Date: 2009-10-08 11:22:14-0400 This is a small set of scripts to make it relatively easy to manage a stable of kvm instances in a fairly secure and isolated fashion. The basic model is to use runit to supervise each KVM instance, with a single, non-privileged user account for each instance. A typical workflow to start an installer is: kvm-creator create $GUESTNAME [$DISKSIZE [$RAM [$TAP [$MAC] ] ] ] # set up boot media for the host ("put the installer CD in the drive"): ln -s /usr/local/share/ISOs/d-i.iso /home/$GUESTNAME/vms/$GUESTNAME/cd.iso # set up access to the account: mkdir -p /home/$GUESTNAME/.ssh cat ~/.ssh/authorized_keys >> /home/$GUESTNAME/.ssh/authorized_keys # start up the host update-service --add /etc/sv/kvm/$GUESTNAME To access the guest's serial console, do: ssh -t $GUESTNAME@host.machine screen -x $GUESTNAME trouble getting a serial console-enabled debian installer ISO? try using the di-maker script. All patches, fixes, suggestions welcome!