The latest version of the QEMU project, QEMU 10.2.0, has been released. QEMU is an emulator that allows users to run programs compiled for one hardware platform on a system with a different architecture. This means you can run an ARM application on an x86-compatible PC, for example. In virtualization mode, QEMU achieves close to hardware performance by directly executing instructions on the CPU and utilizing the Xen hypervisor or the KVM module in Linux, or the NVMM module in NetBSD.
Initially created by Fabrice Bellard to enable the running of Linux executable files compiled for the x86 platform on non-x86 architectures, QEMU has grown over the years. Version 10.2.0 boasts support for full emulation of 14 hardware architectures and over 400 emulated hardware devices. In the lead up to this release, more than 2,200 changes were made by 188 developers.
Key improvements in QEMU 10.2.0 include:
- Added FreeBSD support to the 9pfs backend, which enables the use of the Plan 9 network file system to access virtual machines.
- Introduced a new Live migration mode, ‘cpr-exec’, which reduces resource consumption during virtual machine updates.
- The primary event loop in QEMU now utilizes the asynchronous I/O interface io_uring on compatible systems for improved performance.
- Enhanced emulation in user-mode for running processes compiled for different CPUs, with added system call features and architecture support.
- Implemented support for board models in the ARM architecture emulator, including the AMD Versal virtual SoC and additional board models.
- Added emulation abilities for the HPPA architecture emulator, including emulation of an HP 715/64 workstation and SCSI controllers.
- Enhanced support for PowerPC architecture emulator, adding support for new CPUs and implementing the FADUMP mechanism for system state dumps.