How to Create a Linux KVM vCore
Read this topic to understand how to install the vCore image on a Linux hypervisor.
Deprecated: This Core model is discontinued. It remains accessible for configuration and use in existing designs via the Discontinued section of the Core Model property drop-down. No new features or platform updates will be introduced for this model.
Prerequisites
- Like most virtual machines, an image file is required for setup. Download the virtual hard disk image file from the Q-SYS website vCore product page.
- To create a vCore in Linux, you must first start Virtual Machine Manager. If Virtual Machine Manager is not enabled, see Install KVM on Ubuntu 20.04 {+ Create a Virtual Machine}.
Virtual Machine Manager Setup
To create a new virtual machine containing the vCore:
- Create a unique Virtual Machine name (without spaces), for example Q-SYS_vCore_Control_1.
Note: This is the Virtual Machine name, not the vCore name.
- As root, copy (while renaming) the vCore image file to
/var/lib/libvirt/images/:sudo cp qsys_vcore_linux_kvm_<qsys_version>.qcow2 /var/lib/libvirt/images/<new_VM_name>.qcow2 - Start Virtual Machine Manager.
- Select File and New Virtual Machine.
- Select Import existing disk image.
- Select Browse... in order to provide the existing disk image storage path.
- From the default Storage Volume, select <new_VM_name>.qcow2 and click Choose Volume.
- Select Generic default as the operating system you are installing and click Forward.
- Set Memory to 2048MB and click Forward.
- Under Name, enter the previously created Virtual Machine name.
- Check Customize configuration before install and click Finish.
- Under Overview, set Firmware to UEFI and click Apply.
- Under NIC:
- Set Device model to virtio and click Apply.
- Set Network Source such that the Virtual Machine is able to access your physical network. (This article may be of assistance.)
- Under IDE Disk 1, open Advanced options, set Disk bus to VirtIO and click Apply.
- In the upper left corner, select Begin installation.
- Once the virtual Core starts in a new console window, wait for about a minute until the virtual machine reboots.
- Wait for another minute or so to let the initial partial firmware installation complete.
- Use Q-SYS Configurator (within Q-SYS Designer Software) to locate the vCore with a default name based on its six least significant MAC address hex digits.
Note: Optionally use Q-SYS Core Manager to change the vCore name.
- Activate the vCore license. Refer to the instructions in the Licensing topic.
- Use Q-SYS Designer Software to deploy a design to the vCore. This will also install the full Q-SYS firmware.
- Optionally, turn off the virtual Core by right-clicking the virtual machine in Virtual Machine Manager and selecting Shut Down | Force Off.
Note: Support for a more graceful Shutdown will be added in the future.
