Linux Template Optimization

Employ a kernel specific to virtualization

Use  the linux-image-kvm kernel, which is purpose-built for KVM virtualization.

For example, on Ubuntu, run these commands:

apt install linux-image-kvm
apt purge linux-image-generic

Cleanse the system prior to template publishing

# clear log files
journalctl --vacuum-size=1
# erase user command history
history -c

(as root) rm /root/.bash_history