Virtualization is a technique by which you can convert a set of files into a live running machine with an OS. It is easy to set up one machine and much easier to clone and replicate the same machine across hardware. Also, each of the clones can be customized based on requirements. We will look at setting up a virtual machine using Kernel-based Virtual Machine, Xen, and Qemu in the sections that follow.

Today, people are using the power of virtualization in different situations and environments. Developers use virtualization in order to have an independent environment in which they safely test and develop applications without affecting other working environments. Administrators are using virtualization to separate services and also commission or decommission services as and when required or requested.

By default, Ubuntu supports the Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM), which has built-in extensions for AMD and Intel-based processors. Xen and Qemu are the options suggested...