KVM

Kernel-based Virtual Machine is a free and open-source virtualization module in the Linux kernel that allows the kernel to function as a hypervisor.

Installation

For updates, run the following command:

$ sudo pacman -Syu

QEMU/KVM installation:

We’ll install qemu and all the utils required:

$ sudo pacman -S qemu vde2 ebtables iptables-nft nftables dms masq bridge-utils ovmf swptm

Virtual Machine Manager installation:

The virt-manager application is a graphical user interface for managing virtual machines through libvirt. It primarily targets KVM VMs.

$ sudo pacman -S virt-manager

Now everything is set to work. We can move towards downloading archlinux .iso file.

Download .iso file:

  1. Head towards: https://archlinux.org/download/
  2. Scroll through and look for the server closest to you.
  3. Download archlinux-2024.10.01-x86_64.iso file.

Setting up:

Open terminal and run the following command:

$ virt-manager

You will see an interface similar to this:

Interface Screenshot

  • Click on ‘create a new virtual machine’ (option with star).

Step 2

  • Select ‘Local install media’.

Step 3

  • Browse to your ‘archlinux-2024.10.01-x86_64.iso’.

Step 4

  • Add your desired VM configuration and create a disk image.

Boot Menu:

You will be prompted to a boot menu.

Boot Menu

  • Select the topmost option to start the installation process.

Archlinux Installer:

You will be prompted to a terminal. The first step is to check if you are connected to the internet.

Terminal Screenshot

Run:

# ip addr show

If it shows an IP address and says ‘UP’, that means you are good to go.

IP Check

If not:

You will need to connect to the internet using the ‘iwctl’ method for Wi-Fi.

# iwctl

To search networks in your vicinity:

[iwd]# station [your_wifi_interface] get-networks

Get the name of the network you want to connect to. Exit from this prompt using ’exit’.

To connect to the desired Wi-Fi network, run:

# iwctl --passphrase "[wifi_password]" station [your_wifi_interface] connect [wifi_name]

You can again run ip addr show to check if you are connected to the network.

Now you can run the installation command. We’ll be using the archinstall method.

# archinstall

You will be prompted to an interface similar to this:

Archinstall Screenshot

We will install Arch using this interface. Go through each option:

  • Archinstall language: Choose your preferred language.
  • Mirrors: Select the mirror region closest to you. Use ‘/’ to search.
  • Locales: Set language and keyboard layout.
  • Disk configuration: Choose Best-effort default partition to format the system.
  • Bootloader: Use the default ‘Grub’ option.
  • Swap: Select Swap on zram (default).
  • Hostname: Leave as it is.
  • Root password: Set the password for sudo/root privileges.
  • User account: Set up a user account.
  • Profile: Select Desktop. It includes essential packages. Others include Minimal, Server, and Xorg.

Partitioning Screenshot

In Desktop, select your desktop environment. We’ll use Gnome for simplicity.

Desktop Environment

  • Audio: Use PipeWire (default) or PulseAudio.
  • Kernels: Use the linux kernel.
  • Additional packages: Install any required packages.
  • Network Configuration: Use NetworkManager for a GUI in Gnome.
  • Timezone: Set the timezone closest to you and enable time sync.

Press Install. Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Arch Linux.

Success