Quickstart
Assuming all prerequisites are fulfilled., the kernel provides virtio/kvm functionality and a network bridge (using a tap device) could be created!
Make sure your user is in the kvm group. Choose a folder for the new virtual machine. Below we use /path/to/pluto as example, where pluto is the unique identifier (name). Run:
qemu-adm -r /path/to/pluto -f
The option -r|–register is the only option which requires a full path. The option -f creates an empty hd image.
Now start the virtual machine and get the (real) vnc port afterwards:
$> qemu-adm --start pluto
Initiate a vnc connection:
$> qemu-adm --vnc pluto
Insert a boot CD and reset the virtual machine
qemu-adm --cdrom /path/to/your/install.iso --reset pluto
This resets the virtual machine and starts from the iso image. Now continue to install the operating system. Usually - after the installation is finished - you will perform the reboot from the virtual machine internally. With the default setting -boot once=d the inserted iso image will be ignored.
Enable autostart
By default the autostart option is OFF. To enable it run
qemu-adm -a pluto
The last step is to add qemud to the init system. Refer to the documentation of the used distribution how this have to be done. In Gentoo (example):
echo "/etc/init.d/qemud start" > /etc/local.d/qemud.start echo "/etc/init.d/qemud stop" > /etc/local.d/qemud.stop
Other distributions have maybe /etc/rc.local and/or /etc/rc.shutdown or so. Don't forget the start/stop parameter.