LinuxPlanet: User Mode Linux: Coming to a Kernel Near You, Part 1

“There are a number of fundamental additions coming in the next
Linux kernel. One of these will be a great boon to software
developers, beta testers, product reviewers, hosting services, and
more: User Mode Linux (UML). Just as VMware allows us to run a
machine within a machine, UML lets us do run multiple, separate,
isolated instances of Linux on a single Linux box.

“Seems a bit too good to be true, doesn’t it? Let’s take a
closer look at UML, how it works, and the pros and cons involved in
determining if this upcoming kernel feature is for you.

“The name for this feature isn’t the most self-explanatory. User
Mode Linux is thusly named because it runs in user space. With a
UML, you can run a miniature Linux system with its own kernel and
filesystem without needing root access to the entire machine. Your
UML is your own little world, and you can configure its kernel,
networking, and all other aspects of the virtual machine to your
satisfaction…”

Complete
Story