Virtualization Package Sources

Oracle distributes two sets of KVM user space packages, called stacks. These KVM stacks define which versions of virtualization hypervisor packages install and run on an Oracle Linux system.

Each stack has its own separate source, so you might need to configure the package sources on the system depending on which KVM stack you want to install.

Note:

If the system is running UEK, you can choose to switch between stacks. For more details, see Switch KVM Stacks.

The following table lists the KVM stacks available for deployment to an Oracle Linux 8 system, their benefits and support limitations, and their corresponding package sources.

Table 1-3 Oracle Linux 8: KVM Stacks and Package Sources

KVM Stack Benefits and Limitations Yum Repository Installation Notes

Default KVM Stack

KVM Stack	Benefits and Limitations	Yum Repository	Installation Notes
Default KVM Stack	Fully supported across all Oracle Linux kernels. Offers maximum compatibility with RHCK and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.	`ol8_appstream` (Enabled by default on all Oracle Linux 8 systems)	The Default KVM Stack can be installed without changing any repository configuration. These packages are released as part of the default DNF module: `virt`
Oracle KVM Stack	Offers newer KVM features and functionality available in upstream packages. Engineered to work with KVM features that are enabled in the latest releases of UEK. Requires the latest versions of either UEK R6 or UEK R7.	`ol8_kvm_appstream`	Before enabling this repository, you must remove all existing virtualization packages. These packages are available as separate DNF module streams: `virt:kvm_utils` `virt:kvm_utils2` `virt:kvm_utils3` Note: Application streams have separate product support life cycles to the base OS. Use the latest stream available whenever possible. See Oracle Linux: Product Life Cycle Information for more information. Some non-modular packages, such as `virt-manager`, `edk2`, `swtpm` and `libtpms` are also included within this repository.

Fully supported across all Oracle Linux kernels.
Offers maximum compatibility with RHCK and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

ol8_appstream

(Enabled by default on all Oracle Linux 8 systems)

The Default KVM Stack can be installed without changing any repository configuration.
These packages are released as part of the default DNF module: virt

Oracle KVM Stack

Offers newer KVM features and functionality available in upstream packages.
Engineered to work with KVM features that are enabled in the latest releases of UEK.
Requires the latest versions of either UEK R6 or UEK R7.

ol8_kvm_appstream

Before enabling this repository, you must remove all existing virtualization packages.
These packages are available as separate DNF module streams:
- virt:kvm_utils
- virt:kvm_utils2
- virt:kvm_utils3
Note: Application streams have separate product support life cycles to the base OS. Use the latest stream available whenever possible. See Oracle Linux: Product Life Cycle Information for more information.
Some non-modular packages, such as virt-manager, edk2, swtpm and libtpms are also included within this repository.

For more information about enabling repositories using dnf, or for details about how Oracle manages software package distribution using yum repositories and ULN channels, see: