---
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
:::