Virtualization

Run virtual machines at near-native speeds and manage them at ease

Setting up Fedora Workstation VM on QEMU using BIOS

  1. Download the Fedora Workstation ISO file from website and store it in a reference directory cdromimg.
    https://getfedora.org
    
  2. Create a virtual disk image of type 16GB and of format RAW in a reference directory datadrct by executing the following command.
    $ qemu-img create -f raw datadrct/fedobios.raw 16G
    
  3. Start a virtual machine for installing Fedora Workstation on the virtual disk image by executing the following command on the host.
    $ qemu-system-x86_64 \
        -boot menu=on \
        -m 2048 \
        -cpu max \
        -smp 4 \
        -cdrom cdromimg/<Fedora-Workstation-Live-x86_64-xx-y.z.iso> \
        -drive file=datadrct/fedobios.raw,format=raw \
        -accel kvm
    

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  4. A greeting window would open up, providing with two options - Either to Try Fedora or Install to Hard Drive.
    Click on the Install to Hard Drive button to open up the installer application.
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  5. Pick the language of choice to proceed with the installation on the installer application.
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  6. Configure the installation to liking and then click on Begin Installation on the installer application to start.
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    1. BTRFS partitioning is recommended and the partitioning scheme is configured to consider it as a default. Proceed with the automatic partitioning scheme as illustrated in the following screenshot to apply the recommended partitioning.
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    2. In case of a requirement of a custom partitioning scheme, toggle the Custom radio button under Storage Configuration and click on Done button to move to the page where custom partitioning scheme can be selected.
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      For the sake of simplicity, the partitions are configured in the following manner.

      Partition Desired Capacity File System Mount Point Device Type Reformat? Encrypt?
      /dev/sda1 1GiB EXT4 /boot Standard Partition Yes No
      /dev/sda2 15GiB EXT4 / Standard Partition Yes No

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  7. Let the installation finish, click the Finish Installation button to exit the installer application and then power off the virtualized guest.
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  8. Start a virtual machine where Fedora Workstation was just installed by executing the following command on the host.
     $ qemu-system-x86_64 \
         -boot menu=on \
         -m 2048 \
         -cpu max \
         -smp 4 \
         -drive file=datadrct/fedobios.raw,format=raw \
         -accel kvm
    
  9. Set up the Fedora Workstation according to preferences.
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Authors: Akashdeep Dhar, Jarek Prokop, Nick Dirschel