Installing and setting up Cockpit for managing virtual machines on Arch Linux can be a straightforward process, especially with the help of firewall tools like UFW or Firewalld. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive walkthrough on how to set up Cockpit, configure your firewall, and manage virtual machines efficiently.
What is Cockpit?
Cockpit is a web-based interface designed to simplify the management of Linux servers. It offers an intuitive dashboard for monitoring system performance, configuring networks, managing storage, and controlling virtual machines. This makes it an ideal tool for both novice and experienced system administrators.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- A running Arch Linux system with sudo privileges.
- An active internet connection.
Step 1: Update Your System
Begin by updating your system to ensure all packages are current. Open a terminal and execute:
Step 2: Install Cockpit and Required Packages
To manage virtual machines, you need to install Cockpit and its related packages. Run the following command:
bash
sudo pacman -S cockpit cockpit-machines libvirt qemu virt-install |
Step 3: Enable and Start Services
Enable and start the `libvirtd` service, which is essential for managing virtual machines, and the `cockpit.socket` for accessing the Cockpit interface:
bash
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd --now
sudo systemctl enable cockpit.socket --now |
Verify that these services are running:
bash
sudo systemctl status libvirtd
sudo systemctl status cockpit.socket |
Step 4: Configure the Firewall
You can choose between UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) and Firewalld to secure your server. Here’s how to configure each:
Using UFW
1. Install UFW:
2. Enable UFW:
Allow SSH connections to prevent being locked out:
Enable UFW with:
3. Allow Cockpit through the Firewall:
Open port 9090 for Cockpit:
bash
sudo ufw allow 9090/tcp |
4. Check UFW Status:
Verify UFW is active:
Using Firewalld
1. Install Firewalld:
bash
sudo pacman -S firewalld |
2. Start and Enable Firewalld:
bash
sudo systemctl start firewalld
sudo systemctl enable firewalld |
3. Allow Cockpit through Firewalld:
Open port 9090:
bash
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-service=cockpit --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload |
Step 5: Access Cockpit Web Interface
With the services running and the firewall configured, access Cockpit by opening a web browser and navigating to:
Log in using your system’s username and password. You may encounter a security warning due to a self-signed SSL certificate; it is safe to proceed.
Step 6: Create and Manage Virtual Machines
Once logged in, go to the "Virtual Machines" section. Here, you can create new virtual machines or manage existing ones:
1. Click "Create VM."
2. Select your installation method, such as using an ISO image.
3. Configure the virtual machine settings, including CPU, memory, and storage.
4. Click "Create" to start the virtual machine.
Or you can use the virt-install command to create a new virtual machine. Replace the placeholders with your specific details:
bash
sudo virt-install \
--name=myvm \
--ram=2048 \
--vcpus=2 \
--disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/myvm.img,size=20 \
--os-variant=generic \
--network bridge=virbr0 \
--graphics none \
--console pty,target_type=serial \
--location '/path/to/installer.iso' \
--extra-args 'console=ttyS0,115200n8 serial' |
This command sets up a virtual machine with 2GB RAM, 2 CPUs, and a 20GB disk, using a specified ISO for installation.
Cockpit provides a graphical console for interacting with your virtual machines, allowing you to perform installations and configurations directly from your browser.
Conclusion
Cockpit is a powerful tool that simplifies virtual machine management on Arch Linux. Its user-friendly interface and extensive features make it accessible for users of all experience levels. By following this guide, you can efficiently set up and manage virtual machines while securing your server with either UFW or Firewalld.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for educational purposes only. The Distrowrite Project is not responsible for any damage or data loss that may occur as a result of following these instructions. Always ensure you have backups of your data before proceeding with system modifications.
Citations:
[1] Cockpit - ArchWiki
[2] Arch Linux: The Cockpit
[3] Managing KVM Virtual Machines with Cockpit Web Console in Linux
[4] How to Install and Configure UFW Firewall on Arch Linux
[5] How to manage virtual machines in Cockpit | Enable Sysadmin
[6] Arch Linux - cockpit-machines 318-1 (any)
[7] Create virtual machines with Cockpit in Fedora
[8] Uncomplicated Firewall - ArchWiki
Gallery (Using the Arch-based CachyOS as host):
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