1 @node Deprecated features
2 @appendix Deprecated features
4 In general features are intended to be supported indefinitely once
5 introduced into QEMU. In the event that a feature needs to be removed,
6 it will be listed in this appendix. The feature will remain functional
7 for 2 releases prior to actual removal. Deprecated features may also
8 generate warnings on the console when QEMU starts up, or if activated
9 via a monitor command, however, this is not a mandatory requirement.
11 Prior to the 2.10.0 release there was no official policy on how
12 long features would be deprecated prior to their removal, nor
13 any documented list of which features were deprecated. Thus
14 any features deprecated prior to 2.10.0 will be treated as if
15 they were first deprecated in the 2.10.0 release.
17 What follows is a list of all features currently marked as
20 @section System emulator command line arguments
22 @subsection -machine enforce-config-section=on|off (since 3.1)
24 The @option{enforce-config-section} parameter is replaced by the
25 @option{-global migration.send-configuration=@var{on|off}} option.
27 @subsection -no-kvm (since 1.3.0)
29 The ``-no-kvm'' argument is now a synonym for setting ``-accel tcg''.
31 @subsection -usbdevice (since 2.10.0)
33 The ``-usbdevice DEV'' argument is now a synonym for setting
34 the ``-device usb-DEV'' argument instead. The deprecated syntax
35 would automatically enable USB support on the machine type.
36 If using the new syntax, USB support must be explicitly
37 enabled via the ``-machine usb=on'' argument.
39 @subsection -drive file=json:@{...@{'driver':'file'@}@} (since 3.0)
41 The 'file' driver for drives is no longer appropriate for character or host
42 devices and will only accept regular files (S_IFREG). The correct driver
43 for these file types is 'host_cdrom' or 'host_device' as appropriate.
45 @subsection -net ...,name=@var{name} (since 3.1)
47 The @option{name} parameter of the @option{-net} option is a synonym
48 for the @option{id} parameter, which should now be used instead.
50 @subsection -smp (invalid topologies) (since 3.1)
52 CPU topology properties should describe whole machine topology including
55 However, historically it was possible to start QEMU with an incorrect topology
56 where @math{@var{n} <= @var{sockets} * @var{cores} * @var{threads} < @var{maxcpus}},
57 which could lead to an incorrect topology enumeration by the guest.
58 Support for invalid topologies will be removed, the user must ensure
59 topologies described with -smp include all possible cpus, i.e.
60 @math{@var{sockets} * @var{cores} * @var{threads} = @var{maxcpus}}.
62 @subsection -vnc acl (since 4.0.0)
64 The @code{acl} option to the @code{-vnc} argument has been replaced
65 by the @code{tls-authz} and @code{sasl-authz} options.
67 @subsection QEMU_AUDIO_ environment variables and -audio-help (since 4.0)
69 The ``-audiodev'' argument is now the preferred way to specify audio
70 backend settings instead of environment variables. To ease migration to
71 the new format, the ``-audiodev-help'' option can be used to convert
72 the current values of the environment variables to ``-audiodev'' options.
74 @subsection Creating sound card devices and vnc without audiodev= property (since 4.2)
76 When not using the deprecated legacy audio config, each sound card
77 should specify an @code{audiodev=} property. Additionally, when using
78 vnc, you should specify an @code{audiodev=} propery if you plan to
79 transmit audio through the VNC protocol.
81 @subsection -mon ...,control=readline,pretty=on|off (since 4.1)
83 The @code{pretty=on|off} switch has no effect for HMP monitors, but is
84 silently ignored. Using the switch with HMP monitors will become an
87 @subsection -realtime (since 4.1)
89 The @code{-realtime mlock=on|off} argument has been replaced by the
90 @code{-overcommit mem-lock=on|off} argument.
92 @subsection -numa node,mem=@var{size} (since 4.1)
94 The parameter @option{mem} of @option{-numa node} is used to assign a part of
95 guest RAM to a NUMA node. But when using it, it's impossible to manage specified
96 RAM chunk on the host side (like bind it to a host node, setting bind policy, ...),
97 so guest end-ups with the fake NUMA configuration with suboptiomal performance.
98 However since 2014 there is an alternative way to assign RAM to a NUMA node
99 using parameter @option{memdev}, which does the same as @option{mem} and adds
100 means to actualy manage node RAM on the host side. Use parameter @option{memdev}
101 with @var{memory-backend-ram} backend as an replacement for parameter @option{mem}
102 to achieve the same fake NUMA effect or a properly configured
103 @var{memory-backend-file} backend to actually benefit from NUMA configuration.
104 In future new machine versions will not accept the option but it will still
105 work with old machine types. User can check QAPI schema to see if the legacy
106 option is supported by looking at MachineInfo::numa-mem-supported property.
108 @subsection -numa node (without memory specified) (since 4.1)
110 Splitting RAM by default between NUMA nodes has the same issues as @option{mem}
111 parameter described above with the difference that the role of the user plays
112 QEMU using implicit generic or board specific splitting rule.
113 Use @option{memdev} with @var{memory-backend-ram} backend or @option{mem} (if
114 it's supported by used machine type) to define mapping explictly instead.
116 @subsection RISC-V -bios (since 4.1)
118 QEMU 4.1 introduced support for the -bios option in QEMU for RISC-V for the
119 RISC-V virt machine and sifive_u machine.
121 QEMU 4.1 has no changes to the default behaviour to avoid breakages. This
122 default will change in a future QEMU release, so please prepare now. All users
123 of the virt or sifive_u machine must change their command line usage.
125 QEMU 4.1 has three options, please migrate to one of these three:
126 1. ``-bios none`` - This is the current default behavior if no -bios option
127 is included. QEMU will not automatically load any firmware. It is up
128 to the user to load all the images they need.
129 2. ``-bios default`` - In a future QEMU release this will become the default
130 behaviour if no -bios option is specified. This option will load the
131 default OpenSBI firmware automatically. The firmware is included with
132 the QEMU release and no user interaction is required. All a user needs
133 to do is specify the kernel they want to boot with the -kernel option
134 3. ``-bios <file>`` - Tells QEMU to load the specified file as the firmwrae.
136 @subsection -tb-size option (since 5.0)
138 QEMU 5.0 introduced an alternative syntax to specify the size of the translation
139 block cache, @option{-accel tcg,tb-size=}. The new syntax deprecates the
140 previously available @option{-tb-size} option.
142 @subsection -show-cursor option (since 5.0)
144 Use @option{-display sdl,show-cursor=on} or
145 @option{-display gtk,show-cursor=on} instead.
147 @section QEMU Machine Protocol (QMP) commands
149 @subsection change (since 2.5.0)
151 Use ``blockdev-change-medium'' or ``change-vnc-password'' instead.
153 @subsection migrate_set_downtime and migrate_set_speed (since 2.8.0)
155 Use ``migrate-set-parameters'' instead.
157 @subsection migrate-set-cache-size and query-migrate-cache-size (since 2.11.0)
159 Use ``migrate-set-parameters'' and ``query-migrate-parameters'' instead.
161 @subsection query-block result field dirty-bitmaps[i].status (since 4.0)
163 The ``status'' field of the ``BlockDirtyInfo'' structure, returned by
164 the query-block command is deprecated. Two new boolean fields,
165 ``recording'' and ``busy'' effectively replace it.
167 @subsection query-block result field dirty-bitmaps (Since 4.2)
169 The ``dirty-bitmaps`` field of the ``BlockInfo`` structure, returned by
170 the query-block command is itself now deprecated. The ``dirty-bitmaps``
171 field of the ``BlockDeviceInfo`` struct should be used instead, which is the
172 type of the ``inserted`` field in query-block replies, as well as the
173 type of array items in query-named-block-nodes.
175 Since the ``dirty-bitmaps`` field is optionally present in both the old and
176 new locations, clients must use introspection to learn where to anticipate
177 the field if/when it does appear in command output.
179 @subsection query-cpus (since 2.12.0)
181 The ``query-cpus'' command is replaced by the ``query-cpus-fast'' command.
183 @subsection query-cpus-fast "arch" output member (since 3.0.0)
185 The ``arch'' output member of the ``query-cpus-fast'' command is
186 replaced by the ``target'' output member.
188 @subsection cpu-add (since 4.0)
190 Use ``device_add'' for hotplugging vCPUs instead of ``cpu-add''. See
191 documentation of ``query-hotpluggable-cpus'' for additional
194 @subsection query-events (since 4.0)
196 The ``query-events'' command has been superseded by the more powerful
197 and accurate ``query-qmp-schema'' command.
199 @subsection chardev client socket with 'wait' option (since 4.0)
201 Character devices creating sockets in client mode should not specify
202 the 'wait' field, which is only applicable to sockets in server mode
204 @section Human Monitor Protocol (HMP) commands
206 @subsection The hub_id parameter of 'hostfwd_add' / 'hostfwd_remove' (since 3.1)
208 The @option{[hub_id name]} parameter tuple of the 'hostfwd_add' and
209 'hostfwd_remove' HMP commands has been replaced by @option{netdev_id}.
211 @subsection cpu-add (since 4.0)
213 Use ``device_add'' for hotplugging vCPUs instead of ``cpu-add''. See
214 documentation of ``query-hotpluggable-cpus'' for additional details.
216 @subsection acl_show, acl_reset, acl_policy, acl_add, acl_remove (since 4.0.0)
218 The ``acl_show'', ``acl_reset'', ``acl_policy'', ``acl_add'', and
219 ``acl_remove'' commands are deprecated with no replacement. Authorization
220 for VNC should be performed using the pluggable QAuthZ objects.
222 @section Guest Emulator ISAs
224 @subsection RISC-V ISA privledge specification version 1.09.1 (since 4.1)
226 The RISC-V ISA privledge specification version 1.09.1 has been deprecated.
227 QEMU supports both the newer version 1.10.0 and the ratified version 1.11.0, these
228 should be used instead of the 1.09.1 version.
230 @section System emulator CPUS
232 @subsection RISC-V ISA CPUs (since 4.1)
234 The RISC-V cpus with the ISA version in the CPU name have been depcreated. The
235 four CPUs are: ``rv32gcsu-v1.9.1``, ``rv32gcsu-v1.10.0``, ``rv64gcsu-v1.9.1`` and
236 ``rv64gcsu-v1.10.0``. Instead the version can be specified via the CPU ``priv_spec``
237 option when using the ``rv32`` or ``rv64`` CPUs.
239 @subsection RISC-V ISA CPUs (since 4.1)
241 The RISC-V no MMU cpus have been depcreated. The two CPUs: ``rv32imacu-nommu`` and
242 ``rv64imacu-nommu`` should no longer be used. Instead the MMU status can be specified
243 via the CPU ``mmu`` option when using the ``rv32`` or ``rv64`` CPUs.
245 @section System emulator devices
247 @subsection ide-drive (since 4.2)
249 The 'ide-drive' device is deprecated. Users should use 'ide-hd' or
250 'ide-cd' as appropriate to get an IDE hard disk or CD-ROM as needed.
252 @subsection scsi-disk (since 4.2)
254 The 'scsi-disk' device is deprecated. Users should use 'scsi-hd' or
255 'scsi-cd' as appropriate to get a SCSI hard disk or CD-ROM as needed.
257 @section System emulator machines
259 @subsection mips r4k platform (since 5.0)
261 This machine type is very old and unmaintained. Users should use the 'malta'
262 machine type instead.
264 @subsection pc-1.0, pc-1.1, pc-1.2 and pc-1.3 (since 5.0)
266 These machine types are very old and likely can not be used for live migration
267 from old QEMU versions anymore. A newer machine type should be used instead.
269 @subsection spike_v1.9.1 and spike_v1.10 (since 4.1)
271 The version specific Spike machines have been deprecated in favour of the
272 generic ``spike`` machine. If you need to specify an older version of the RISC-V
273 spec you can use the ``-cpu rv64gcsu,priv_spec=v1.9.1`` command line argument.
275 @section Device options
277 @subsection Emulated device options
279 @subsubsection -device virtio-blk,scsi=on|off (since 5.0.0)
281 The virtio-blk SCSI passthrough feature is a legacy VIRTIO feature. VIRTIO 1.0
282 and later do not support it because the virtio-scsi device was introduced for
283 full SCSI support. Use virtio-scsi instead when SCSI passthrough is required.
285 Note this also applies to ``-device virtio-blk-pci,scsi=on|off'', which is an
288 @subsection Block device options
290 @subsubsection "backing": "" (since 2.12.0)
292 In order to prevent QEMU from automatically opening an image's backing
293 chain, use ``"backing": null'' instead.
295 @subsubsection rbd keyvalue pair encoded filenames: "" (since 3.1.0)
297 Options for ``rbd'' should be specified according to its runtime options,
298 like other block drivers. Legacy parsing of keyvalue pair encoded
299 filenames is useful to open images with the old format for backing files;
300 These image files should be updated to use the current format.
302 Example of legacy encoding:
304 @code{json:@{"file.driver":"rbd", "file.filename":"rbd:rbd/name"@}}
306 The above, converted to the current supported format:
308 @code{json:@{"file.driver":"rbd", "file.pool":"rbd", "file.image":"name"@}}
310 @section Related binaries
312 @subsection qemu-img convert -n -o (since 4.2.0)
314 All options specified in @option{-o} are image creation options, so
315 they have no effect when used with @option{-n} to skip image creation.
316 Silently ignored options can be confusing, so this combination of
317 options will be made an error in future versions.
319 @section Backwards compatibility
321 @subsection Runnability guarantee of CPU models (since 4.1.0)
323 Previous versions of QEMU never changed existing CPU models in
324 ways that introduced additional host software or hardware
325 requirements to the VM. This allowed management software to
326 safely change the machine type of an existing VM without
327 introducing new requirements ("runnability guarantee"). This
328 prevented CPU models from being updated to include CPU
329 vulnerability mitigations, leaving guests vulnerable in the
330 default configuration.
332 The CPU model runnability guarantee won't apply anymore to
333 existing CPU models. Management software that needs runnability
334 guarantees must resolve the CPU model aliases using te
335 ``alias-of'' field returned by the ``query-cpu-definitions'' QMP
338 While those guarantees are kept, the return value of
339 ``query-cpu-definitions'' will have existing CPU model aliases
340 point to a version that doesn't break runnability guarantees
341 (specifically, version 1 of those CPU models). In future QEMU
342 versions, aliases will point to newer CPU model versions
343 depending on the machine type, so management software must
344 resolve CPU model aliases before starting a virtual machine.
347 @node Recently removed features
348 @appendix Recently removed features
350 What follows is a record of recently removed, formerly deprecated
351 features that serves as a record for users who have encountered
352 trouble after a recent upgrade.
354 @section QEMU Machine Protocol (QMP) commands
356 @subsection block-dirty-bitmap-add "autoload" parameter (since 4.2.0)
358 The "autoload" parameter has been ignored since 2.12.0. All bitmaps
359 are automatically loaded from qcow2 images.
361 @section Related binaries
363 @subsection qemu-nbd --partition (removed in 5.0.0)
365 The ``qemu-nbd --partition $digit'' code (also spelled @option{-P})
366 could only handle MBR partitions, and never correctly handled logical
367 partitions beyond partition 5. Exporting a partition can still be
368 done by utilizing the @option{--image-opts} option with a raw blockdev
369 using the @code{offset} and @code{size} parameters layered on top of
370 any other existing blockdev. For example, if partition 1 is 100MiB
371 long starting at 1MiB, the old command:
373 @code{qemu-nbd -t -P 1 -f qcow2 file.qcow2}
377 @code{qemu-nbd -t --image-opts driver=raw,offset=1M,size=100M,file.driver=qcow2,file.file.driver=file,file.file.filename=file.qcow2}