KVM or Kernel-based Virtual Machine is a virtualization platform that can be integrated with Ubuntu, a type of operating system that is developed from Debian Linux.  With Linux developed as an open-source technology, Ubuntu also operates as a free ware type of operating system platform and in terms of virtualization for non-graphic servers, it typically uses KVM for this specific purpose.

KVM itself is developed to work with Linux kernels like those involved in the Linux-based Ubuntu platform.  Provided by the hardware virtualization capabilities of Ubuntu environment, KVM can be especially useful for data servers that are not graphics based.  The basic function of KVM for the Ubuntu platform is to provide a venue for showing the /dev/kvm/interface instead of the standard emulation options offered by other virtual machine or virtualization technologies.  Through the /dev/kvm/ interface, one will be able to to configure the space for the virtual machine’s address.  It is also through this same KVM interface that a person can easily feed simulated input/output systems and allow for mapping of media display back to the host server.  This is particularly applicable to video playback.

Through KVM, people that have computers and servers working under the Ubuntu platform can have easy access to other devices outside of the network.  This virtualization can either be done through a usermode type of networking or through a bridged type.  Under usermode type, the operating system or platform will be able to gain access to a variety of inter-network services without being visible to the other parts or computers connected to the same network.  Bridged type virtualization meanwhile projects the guest operating system to look like normal host servers.  Either way, KVM provides virtualization capabilities to the entire Ubuntu platform. Through this virtualization technology provided by KVM, Ubuntu has continued to become the most popular Linux-based operating system in various areas including personal computers, server technologies, and even in cloud computing systems.