KVM

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) turns a Linux host into a type-1 hypervisor and uses the hardware virtualisation instructions of modern CPUs (Intel VT-x, AMD-V) for near-native performance. Every virtual machine runs as its own QEMU process with its own kernel and OS — unlike container solutions such as LXC or Docker where all guests share the host kernel. For VPS customers KVM means a real own OS (including Windows, BSD, exotic distros), full kernel module freedom, own mounting, swap, iptables — and the full maintenance responsibility that comes with that. Providers like netcup, Hetzner, Contabo, Cloud86 and most European VPS hosts run KVM because of its open-source licence and performance profile.