Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) is a virtualization technology built into the Linux kernel. It allows a physical computer to run multiple virtual machines, each with its own operating system. This means you can run different systems, like Windows or Linux, on the same hardware, making it efficient and flexible for various applications. KVM turns the Linux kernel into a hypervisor, which is software that manages virtual machines. Each virtual machine operates independently, sharing the physical resources of the host machine, such as CPU and memory. This setup is ideal for cloud computing and server consolidation, maximizing resource use while minimizing costs.