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+---
+lastproofread: '2026-02-02'
+---
+
+(libvirt)=
+
+# Run VyOS on Libvirt QEMU/KVM
+
+Libvirt is an open-source API, daemon, and management tool for managing platform
+virtualization. You can deploy VyOS on libvirt KVM in several ways:
+using Virt-Manager or the native CLI. This example uses 4 gigabytes
+of memory, 2 CPU cores, and the default network `virbr0`.
+
+## CLI
+
+### Deploy from ISO
+
+Create VM name `vyos_r1`. You must specify the path to the `ISO` image,
+the disk `qcow2` will be created automatically. The `default` network is
+the virtual network (type Virtio) created by the hypervisor with NAT.
+
+```none
+$ virt-install -n vyos_r1 \
+  --ram 4096 \
+  --vcpus 2 \
+  --cdrom /var/lib/libvirt/images/vyos.iso \
+  --os-variant debian10 \
+  --network network=default \
+  --graphics vnc \
+  --hvm \
+  --virt-type kvm \
+  --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/vyos_r1.qcow2,bus=virtio,size=8 \
+  --noautoconsole
+```
+
+Connect to the VM with the command `virsh console vyos_r1`
+
+```none
+$ virsh console vyos_r1
+
+Connected to domain vyos_r1
+Escape character is ^]
+
+vyos login: vyos
+Password:
+
+vyos@vyos:~$ install image
+```
+
+After installation, exit the console using the key combination
+`Ctrl + ]` and reboot the system.
+
+### Deploy from qcow2
+
+The benefit of using {abbr}`KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine)`
+images is that they don't require installation.
+Download the predefined VyOS `.qcow2` image.
+
+```none
+curl --url link_to_vyos_kvm.qcow2 --output /var/lib/libvirt/images/vyos_kvm.qcow2
+```
+
+Create VM with `import` qcow2 disk option.
+
+```none
+$ virt-install -n vyos_r2 \
+   --ram 4096 \
+   --vcpus 2 \
+   --os-variant debian10 \
+   --network network=default \
+   --graphics vnc \
+   --hvm \
+   --virt-type kvm \
+   --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/vyos_kvm.qcow2,bus=virtio \
+   --import \
+   --noautoconsole
+```
+
+Connect to the VM with the command `virsh console vyos_r2`
+
+```none
+$ virsh console vyos_r2
+
+Connected to domain vyos_r2
+Escape character is ^]
+
+vyos login: vyos
+Password:
+
+vyos@vyos:~$
+```
+
+If you cannot access the login screen, the KVM console may be set as the
+default boot option.
+
+Open a secondary session and run this command to reboot the VM:
+
+```none
+$ virsh reboot vyos_r2
+```
+
+Then go to the first session where you opened the console.
+Select `VyOS 1.4.x for QEMU (Serial console)` and press `Enter`.
+
+The system is fully operational.
+
+## Virt-Manager
+
+The Virt-Manager application is a desktop user interface for managing virtual
+machines through libvirt. On Linux, open the
+{abbr}`VMM (Virtual Machine Manager)`.
+
+(libvirt-virt-manager-iso)=
+
+### Deploy from ISO
+
+1. Open {abbr}`VMM (Virtual Machine Manager)` and create a new
+   {abbr}`VM (Virtual Machine)`
+2. Choose `Local install media` (ISO)
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-01.webp
+:::
+
+3. Choose the path to the VyOS ISO image. Select any Debian-based operating
+   system.
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-02.webp
+:::
+
+4. Choose Memory and CPU
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-03.webp
+:::
+
+5. Disk size
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-04.webp
+:::
+
+6. Name of VM and network selection
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-05.webp
+:::
+
+7. Then the system will be taken to the console.
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-06.webp
+:::
+
+(libvirt-virt-manager-qcow2)=
+
+### Deploy from qcow2
+
+Download the predefined VyOS `.qcow2` image.
+
+```none
+curl --url link_to_vyos_kvm.qcow2 --output /var/lib/libvirt/images/vyos_kvm.qcow2
+```
+
+1. Open {abbr}`VMM (Virtual Machine Manager)` and create a new
+   {abbr}`VM (Virtual Machine)`
+2. Choose `Import existing disk` image
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-qc-01.webp
+:::
+
+3. Choose the path to the `vyos_kvm.qcow2` image that you downloaded.
+   Select any Debian-based operating system.
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-qc-02.webp
+:::
+
+4. Choose Memory and CPU
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-03.webp
+:::
+
+5. Name of VM and network selection
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-05.webp
+:::
+
+6. Then the system will be taken to the console.
+
+:::{figure} /_static/images/virt-libvirt-qc-03.webp
+:::