Okay, I have done some more research and testing and I now think the following upstream KVM bug is the problem:
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=2968899&group_id=180599&atid=893831 Upstream KVM bug 2968899 describes a bug which causes the SMP guest to lock up when setting the time. I disabled NTP on my guests to test this, and my guests boot fine without NTP. Obviously, that's not an acceptable "workaround" because having managed time is a requirement for any well-managed machine, especially a server. But it does look to me like the bug is an upstream bug. However, it doesn't look like it's getting any attention from anyone, unfortunately. ** Bug watch added: SourceForge.net Tracker #2968899 http://sourceforge.net/support/tracker.php?aid=2968899 -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/714335 Title: KVM SMP Linux Guests Hang -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs