---
name: "virtio_balloon"
section: "4freebsd"
platform: "linux"
package: "freebsd-manpages"
version: "12.2-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/virtio_balloon/4freebsd"
---

# virtio\_balloon(4freebsd)

VirtIO Memory Balloon driver

## NAME

**virtio\_balloon** – VirtIO Memory Balloon driver

## SYNOPSIS

To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following lines in your kernel configuration file:

**device virtio\_balloon**

Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following line in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
virtio_balloon_load="YES"
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **virtio\_balloon** device driver provides support for VirtIO memory balloon devices.

The memory balloon allows the guest to, at the request of the hypervisor, return memory allocated to the hypervisor so it can be made available to other guests. The hypervisor can later signal the balloon to return the memory.

## SEE ALSO

[virtio(4)](/virtio/4.md)

## HISTORY

The **virtio\_balloon** driver was written by Bryan Venteicher ⟨*bryanv@FreeBSD.org*⟩. It first appeared in FreeBSD 9.0.