How to do it...

To define a new KVM virtual machine, run the commands outlined here:

1. List all virtual machines on the host OS:

root@kvm:~# virsh list --all
 Id Name State
----------------------------------------------------

root@kvm:~#

1. Create the following XML definition file:

root@kvm:~# cat kvm1.xml
<domain type='kvm' id='1'>
 <name>kvm1</name>
 <memory unit='KiB'>1048576</memory>
 <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
 <os>
   <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-i440fx-trusty'>hvm</type>
   <boot dev='hd'/>
 </os>
 <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
 <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
 <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
 <devices>
   <emulator>/usr/bin/qemu-system-x86_64</emulator>
   <disk type='file' device='disk'>
     <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
     <source file='/tmp/debian.img'/>
     <target dev='hda' bus='ide'/>
     <alias name='ide0-0-0'/>
     <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='0' target='0' unit='0'/>
   </disk>
   <interface type='network'>
     <source network='default'/>
     <target dev='vnet0'/>
     <model type='rtl8139'/>
     <alias name='net0'/>
     <address type='pci' domain='0x0000' bus='0x00' slot='0x03' function='0x0'/>
   </interface>
   <graphics type='vnc' port='5900' autoport='yes' listen='146.20.141.158'>
     <listen type='address' address='146.20.141.158'/>
   </graphics>
 </devices>
 <seclabel type='none'/>
</domain>
root@kvm:~#

1. Define the virtual machine:

root@kvm:~# virsh define kvm1.xml
Domain kvm1 defined from kvm1.xml

root@kvm:~#

1. List all instances in all states:

root@kvm:~# virsh list --all
 Id Name State
----------------------------------------------------
 - kvm1 shut off

root@kvm:~#