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18.2. Shared storage example: NFS for a simple migration

This example uses NFS to share guest images with other KVM hosts. This example is not practical for large installations, this example is only for demonstrating migration techniques and small deployments. Do not use this example for migrating or running more than a few virtualized guests.
For advanced and more robust shared storage instructions, refer to Part V, “Virtualization storage topics”

  1. Export your libvirt image directory

    Add the default image directory to the /etc/exports file: 
    /var/lib/libvirt/images *.example.com(rw,no_root_squash,async)
    Change the hosts parameter as required for your environment.

  2. Start NFS

    1. Install the NFS packages if they are not yet installed: 
      # yum install nfs
    2. Open the ports for NFS in iptables and add NFS to the /etc/hosts.allow file.
    3. Start the NFS service: 
      # service nfs start

  3. Mount the shared storage on the destination

    On the destination system, mount the /var/lib/libvirt/images directory: 
    # mount sourceURL:/var/lib/libvirt/images /var/lib/libvirt/images

    Locations must be the same on source and destination

    Whichever directory is chosen for the guests must exactly the same on host and guest. This applies to all types of shared storage. The directory must be the same or the migration will fail.