quick-docs/modules/ROOT/pages/using-nested-virtualization-in-kvm.adoc

= How to enable nested virtualization in KVM
Fedora Documentation Team
:revnumber: F36 onwards
:revdate: 2023-02-21
:category: Administration
:tags: How-to, Workstation, Virtualization

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[abstract]
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Nested virtualization allows you to run a virtual machine (VM) inside another VM while still using hardware acceleration from the host.
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== Checking if nested virtualization is supported

For Intel processors, check the `/sys/module/kvm_intel/parameters/nested` file. For AMD processors, check the `/sys/module/kvm_amd/parameters/nested` file. If you see `1` or `Y`, nested virtualization is supported; if you see `0` or `N`, nested virtualization is not supported.

For example:

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cat /sys/module/kvm_intel/parameters/nested
Y
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== Enabling nested virtualization

To enable nested virtualization for Intel processors:

. Shut down all running VMs and unload the `kvm_probe` module:
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sudo modprobe -r kvm_intel
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. Activate the nesting feature:
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sudo modprobe kvm_intel nested=1
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. Nested virtualization is enabled until the host is rebooted. To enable it permanently, add the following line to the `/etc/modprobe.d/kvm.conf` file:
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options kvm_intel nested=1
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To enable nested virtualization for AMD processors:

. Shut down all running VMs and unload the `kvm_amd` module:
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sudo modprobe -r kvm_amd
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. Activate the nesting feature:
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sudo modprobe kvm_amd nested=1
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. Nested virtualization is enabled until the host is rebooted. To enable it permanently, add the following line to the `/etc/modprobe.d/kvm.conf` file:                        
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options kvm_amd nested=1
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== Configuring nested virtualization in virt-manager

Configure your VM to use nested virtualization:

. Open virt-manager, double-click the VM in which you wish to enable nested virtualization, and click the *Show virtual hardware details* icon. 

. Click *CPUs* in the side menu. In the *Configuration* section, there are two options - either type `host-passthrough` in the *Model:* field, or select the *Copy host CPU configuration* check box (that fills the `host-model` value in the *Model* field).
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NOTE: Using host-passthrough is not recommended for general usage. It should only be used for nested virtualization purposes.
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. Click *Apply*.


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== Testing nested virtualization

. Start the virtual machine.
. On the virtual machine, run:
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sudo dnf group install virtualization
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. Verify that the virtual machine has virtualization correctly set up:
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sudo virt-host-validate
  QEMU: Checking for hardware virtualization                                 : PASS
  QEMU: Checking if device /dev/kvm exists                                   : PASS
  QEMU: Checking if device /dev/kvm is accessible                            : PASS
  QEMU: Checking if device /dev/vhost-net exists                             : PASS
  QEMU: Checking if device /dev/net/tun exists                               : PASS
  ...
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== Additional resources

* https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1055002
* https://kashyapc.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/nested-virtualization-with-kvm-intel/
* https://kashyapc.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/nested-virtualization-with-kvm-and-amd/