Getting started with virtualization and integrating features
VirtualBox is a user friendly way to deploy and virtualize operating systems on your host machine. In this guide we will be virtualizing Ubuntu 22.04 and implementing many ease-of-use features that expand functionality and simplify operation.
- Download VirtualBox
- Download Ubuntu Desktop .iso file
- Open VirtualBox and follow the slideshow
Installing the OS in VirtualBox
Install the operating system through a .iso file and configure the virtual machine's settingsCreate a new virtual machine
Name the machine and provide the ISO file for installation. Skip unattended installation to set your own username/passwords
If there will only be a single VM running at once, bring it to the green threshold. The exact RAM allocation will depend your current resources. Set atleast 2 CPUs.
16GB is the minimum for smooth operation in Ubuntu. The size of the VM will dynamically increase to a maximum of 16GB depending on the data that is stored. Pre-allocated will fix the size of the disk to the allocated amount.
Open the new system's settings. Set the network to bridged adapter to ensure it is on the same network as the host.
Follow Ubuntu installation
Follow Ubuntu installation
Follow Ubuntu installation
Follow Ubuntu installation
Follow Ubuntu installation
Follow Ubuntu installation
Set username, computer name and password
Login
Success! You are at the desktop of your virtual machine.
Adding guest additions
Guest additions add functionality between the host and guest operating system.Here we will enable copy-pasting between the host and virtual machine.
While the OS is running, open Devices from the VirtualBox toolbar and select Insert Guest Additions CD Image...
Open the disk image and run autorun.sh by right clicking and choosing Run as a Program
When autorun.sh has completed, run the following two commands
sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-generic ✂
sudo rcvboxadd setup ✂
Open Devices from the VirtualBox toolbar and select Shared Clipboard then Bidirectional
Reboot
Linking a machine folder
A machine folder is a permanent shared location between the host operating system and your virtual machine. Files and folders placed inside of the machine folder can be handled from both the host and virtual machine.Create a folder in virtual machine and on the host machine
While the OS is running open the VM settings in VirtualBox. Open Shared Folders and add a folder in Machine Folders
In Folder Path, put the location of the folder in the host system
In Folder Name, give the machine folder a name
In Mount point, put the location of the folder in the virtual machine
I made them all the same name (vm), but they can be different too.
In Folder Path, put the location of the folder in the host system
In Folder Name, give the machine folder a name
In Mount point, put the location of the folder in the virtual machine
I made them all the same name (vm), but they can be different too.
Run the following three commands
Replace vm with your Folder name, user with your username and /home/user/Desktop/vm with the mount point from slide 2
sudo mount -t vboxsf vm /home/user/Desktop/vm ✂
sudo adduser user vboxsf ✂
sudo usermod -a -G vboxsf user ✂
Replace vm with your Folder name, user with your username and /home/user/Desktop/vm with the mount point from slide 2
Add fstab entry for machine folder with the following format:
[Folder name] [mount point] ["vboxsf"] ["defaults"] ["0"] ["0"]
[Folder name] [mount point] ["vboxsf"] ["defaults"] ["0"] ["0"]
sudo nano /etc/fstab✂
vm /home/user/Desktop/vm vboxsf defaults 0 0
Reboot
Folders are now linked!
Creating snapshots
Snapshots, virtual machine restore points, are a major feature and benefit for virtualized operating systems. Do not be afraid to use this feature and take snapshots. Do note that snapshots create system files that vary in size.After making your changes, shutdown the virtual machine.
Expand the menu for the virtual machine to show the snapshots, then click Take
Give your snapshot a title and description
Continue operating the virtual machine as usual.
To jump to a previous snapshot, click the snapshot and hit restore.
Snapshots created after the previous save state will not be erased if you restore a previous snapshot.
To jump to a previous snapshot, click the snapshot and hit restore.
Snapshots created after the previous save state will not be erased if you restore a previous snapshot.
Caption for Image 5
Attaching a virtual hard drive
Like physical machines, a virtual machine could have virtual drives attached to it. The most common virtual hard drive file type is a .vhd. (The newer standard is .vhdx) These files act as virtual drives that can not only be attached to virtual machines but also attached to your Windows OS through Disk Management.Shut down the virtual machine
Right click on the virtual machine, open the settings and select storage
Under Controller: SATA click the Adds hard disk option, then click Create
I recommend VHD as it is the most common and compatible virtual hard disk format
Leave Pre-allocate Full Size unchecked. The virtual hard disk is dynamic: it expands and shrinks as necessary without needlessly occupying space on the host.
Set the location where the .vhd file will be and give it a name. Then, give it a drive size. Again, as a dynamically expanding disk, this will not create a 100GB file unless 100GB worth of files are stored in it.
The vhd file will be created and under "not attached" in the Hard Disk Selector window
Close the Hard Disk Selector, click on Controller: SATA, click the Add Attachment icon then click Hard Disk
Choose vhd file listed under "not attached" in the Hard Disk Selector window.
The virtual drive is attached
Run the virtual machine and proceed to a drive management tool. In Ubuntu, the program is called Disks
The virtual disk is visible to the disk manager.
Format the virtual drive. In Linux, the compatible filesystem is Ext4.
The disk is now recognized by the system.
