As part of Oracle’s mission to enable the autonomous cloud, we’re releasing Oracle Linux KVM Image 2.0 for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which introduces autonomous operations based on Oracle Autonomous Linux. This new release helps application owners and developers eliminate complexity and human error and enables higher security, availability, and operational efficiency when hosting their own hypervisor environment in OCI.
Oracle Linux KVM and Autonomous Linux—best of both worlds
Making Oracle Linux KVM available in the cloud has several benefits. It allows the extension and migration of existing on-premises KVM environments into OCI. It provides the ability to install legacy operating systems and prepackaged virtual machines (VMs) to use within your cloud environment. In addition, it allows you flexibility to deploy customized VMs with specifications that suit your business needs.
Oracle Linux KVM is included with Oracle Linux and provides a set of modules that enable you to use the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK) for Oracle Linux as a hypervisor. This Oracle Linux KVM image release is based on Autonomous Linux 7 and extends all its features and benefits to your KVM deployment in the cloud. Oracle Linux KVM image simplifies the deployment of VMs by integrating with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure services, such as Block Storage and virtual network interfaces (VNICs) through scripted tools including oci-utils.
Oracle Autonomous Linux is an Oracle Linux operating environment that executes automatic patch updates without human interaction, improves IT staff productivity and security, and reduces downtime. Oracle Autonomous Linux is the first and only autonomous operating environment, and it’s built and optimized for Oracle Cloud.
Higher security and reliability
This KVM image uses Oracle Ksplice technology to automatically apply zero-downtime security updates for the kernel and key user space libraries such as glibc and openssl. On a daily basis, Ksplice checks for and applies available patches while the KVM instance is running, without requiring a reboot or stopping applications. Ksplice also detects and notifies you of known exploit attempts made on privilege escalation vulnerabilities that it has patched. Ksplice helps keep your KVM and Oracle Linux environments secure and reliable by staying up to date with vulnerability patches and alerting you to suspicious activities.
Oracle Linux KVM Image 2.0 includes the Autonomous Linux al-config utility that allows you to specify the preferred time window in which automatic zero-downtime updates are to be performed. You can find more al-config usage details in this blog.
Fast and easy deployment
The Oracle Linux KVM image is optimized and integrated with native OCI services, making it easy to deploy a hypervisor host within minutes. You can deploy it directly from the Oracle Cloud Marketplace or from the Oracle Images catalog on the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure console by selecting the Oracle Linux KVM Image (Autonomous Linux) listing. Note that there is also a new release of the Oracle Linux KVM Image release 2.0 that is based on standard Oracle Linux 7 image, which is available on the Oracle Cloud Marketplace. With a few clicks, you can get your Oracle Linux KVM instances up and running in OCI.
The KVM image also provides the oci-utils scripted tools that help simplify the provisioning of VM guests, allocation of block devices and VNICs, and launch and removal of VMs on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
Premier level support included
Oracle Linux Premier Support is included with an OCI subscription at no additional cost. This means that you can enjoy the highest-level support for Oracle Linux and Oracle Linux KVM, including around-the-clock expert telephone and online support and access to enhancements and updates.
Getting started
Deploying and managing a hypervisor environment in the cloud is now easier than ever with the Oracle Linux KVM image for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. To discover more about Oracle Linux KVM on OCI, refer to the Getting Started: Oracle Linux KVM Image for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure guide. You can start by signing up for an Oracle Cloud Infrastructure account today and deploying the Oracle Linux KVM image directly from the Oracle Cloud Marketplace.
Resources
Oracle Linux KVM Image (Oracle Cloud Marketplace)
Getting Started: Oracle Linux KVM Image for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (documentation)
Oracle Linux KVM User’s Guide (documentation)
Oracle Virtualization (web page)
Oracle Autonomous Linux (web page)