KVMi

KVMi refers to Kernel-based Virtual Machine over IP. It is a technology that allows the management and access of virtual machines hosted on a KVM hypervisor remotely. Essentially, it extends the capabilities of KVM by enabling out-of-band management and console access over a network. This means that even if the guest operating system within the virtual machine has crashed or the network connection to the guest is lost, administrators can still connect to and manage the virtual machine.

The core functionality of KVMi relies on integrating KVM with remote access protocols. This typically involves leveraging hardware-level management interfaces, often referred to as Baseboard Management Controllers (BMCs) or Intelligent Platform Management Interfaces (IPMIs). These interfaces provide a separate management channel that is independent of the main operating system. KVMi uses this channel to intercept and redirect console output and input from the virtual machine to a remote client.

This technology is particularly valuable in scenarios where high availability and robust remote administration are critical. It allows for tasks such as powering the virtual machine on or off, accessing the BIOS/UEFI, troubleshooting boot issues, and interacting with the operating system console even in situations where the virtual machine itself is unresponsive. KVMi enhances the overall manageability and resilience of virtualized environments, especially in data centers and cloud computing platforms.