Installation on Linux KVM

KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) is a full virtualization solution for Linux on x86 hardware containing virtualization extensions (Intel VT or AMD-V). VoIP Detective supports installation on Linux KVM using a qcow2 disk image.

Virtual Machine Requirements

• 1 TB of disk space (thin provisioning is supported — actual usage starts around 5 GB and grows with call data)
• 16 GB of memory
• 2 vCPU minimum
• Internet access is required for VoIP Detective Free (the VM must be able to reach *.voipdetective.com). More information

Preparing the Virtual Machine and License

1. Go to www.voipdetective.com and click Install VoIP Detective Now in the upper right corner.
2. Create an account. You'll be forwarded to the licensing page.
3. Generate a license and make note of it.
4. Download the VoIP Detective - Linux KVM virtual machine.
5. Unzip the file to your local computer. You will find a single file: voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2.

Deploy the Virtual Machine with Cockpit (GUI method)

Cockpit provides a simple web-based interface for managing KVM virtual machines and is the recommended method for most users.

1. Copy voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2 to your Linux KVM server, placing it in /var/lib/libvirt/images/.
2. Set the correct ownership on the file:

   sudo chown qemu:qemu /var/lib/libvirt/images/voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2

3. Log into Cockpit (https://your-kvm-host:9090) and navigate to Virtual Machines.
4. Click Create VM.
5. Fill in the following:
   • Name: VoIP Detective
   • Installation type: Import an existing disk image
   • Installation source: /var/lib/libvirt/images/voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2
   • Operating system: AlmaLinux 9
   • Memory: 16 GiB
   • vCPUs: 2 (edit after creation under CPU details)
   • Storage: (Leave disk settings at defaults — the imported qcow2 will be used)
6. Click Create and run.
7. After creation, verify the network interface is attached correctly and that the disk bus is set to virtio for best performance.

Deploy the Virtual Machine from the Command Line

1. Unzip the .zip file you downloaded from VoIPDetective.com.
2. Upload voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2 to your Linux KVM server, placing it in /var/lib/libvirt/images/.
3. Set ownership:

   sudo chown qemu:qemu /var/lib/libvirt/images/voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2

   
   
4. From the command prompt of your Linux KVM server, run:

    sudo virt-install \
        --name VoIP_Detective \
        --memory 16384 \
        --vcpus 2 \
        --cpu host-passthrough \
        --machine q35 \
        --os-variant almalinux9 \
        --import \
        --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/voip_detective_disk_image.qcow2,format=qcow2,bus=virtio \
        --network type=direct,source=eno1,source_mode=bridge,model=virtio \
        --noautoconsole

   
   

Important: Change source=eno1 to match your host's network interface name. You can find your interface name with ip link show.

Explanation of flags:

• --name — Name of the VM
• --memory and --vcpus — Resource allocation
• --cpu host-passthrough — Best CPU performance (recommended)
• --machine q35 — Modern chipset with PCIe support
• --os-variant almalinux9 — Optimizes virtual hardware for the guest OS
• --import — Use the existing disk, don't install an OS
• --disk — Path to the qcow2 file; bus=virtio provides best disk performance
• --network — Directly connects to the host network. Adjust source= to match your host's interface.
• --noautoconsole — Prevents auto-connecting to the console

5. Please allow several minutes after the first boot for the VM to initialize. It is not unusual for the VM to pause briefly at GRUB on first boot — the VM should reboot and begin operating normally within 10 minutes.

Once the VM Has Been Imported

1. Find the IP address assigned to the VM, either through Cockpit or by logging into the VM console with the username cliadmin. Default passwords
2. (Optional) Assign a static IP address to VoIP Detective. See this article.
3. If you plan on accessing VoIP Detective via a DNS address (instead of IP address), set a hostname in the VoIP Detective CLI. See this article.
4. Use your web browser to navigate to the IP address of VoIP Detective. You can find the IP through Cockpit or by logging into the VM command line with username cliadmin and password voip. Full list of default passwords here.
5. Step through the installer in your browser. This will provide the system with a minimum configuration and get you up and running.
6. Login to VoIP Detective's web interface as admin — The default username is admin and the default password is voip.

If You Will Be Using CUCM with VoIP Detective

1. Point CDRs from your CUCM to VoIP Detective — see how to configure CDRs in CUCM.
2. Login to VoIP Detective's web interface as admin — default username admin, password voip. Default passwords.

If You Will Be Using Webex with VoIP Detective

Follow the Webex Reporting guide to finalize configuration.

⚠️ Important: VoIP Detective is not designed to be internet-facing. Please ensure that VoIP Detective is not reachable from the internet or placed in your organization's DMZ.

If you have any questions, please click the New Support Ticket button above.