Linux virtual machine (Linux VM)

A Linux virtual machine is a virtual machine (VM) that is running a distribution of Linux as the guest operating system (guest OS).

The term Linux VM may also be used to refer to a kernel-based virtual machine (KVM), although many different guest operating systems can work with KVM so the terms are not universally interchangeable. Similarly, a Linux virtual machine can exist on a host server that is running a non-Linux operating system, such as Windows.

Windows Server 2012 R2 includes new features such as Linux Integration Services and support for live backup of Linux VMs to provide better management for Linux virtual machines.