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Sidux/Useable applications/VirtualBox

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VirtualBox (present name: Oracle xVM VirtualBox) is a virtual machine which makes isolated environment
on an host operating system for others (guest) applications and operating systems.
It supports operating systems: Windows, Linux 2.x, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, OS/2.
There are two different versions available: an open source and a proprietary.


VirtualBox-OSE

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Debian has Open Source Edition of VirtualBox in its repositories.
1. Installation:
apt-get install virtualbox-ose virtualbox-ose-source virtualbox-ose-qt virtualbox-ose-dkms dkms
2. Run it from: Menu-> System-> VirtualBox OSE


VirtualBox

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The proprietary version is available to download from: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads
Download a package for the highest Debian's number version means "Lenny".
It has a few more functions then OSE version.
1. If you installed OSE version before, uninstall if first and next:
dpkg -i virtualbox_version_Debian_lenny.deb
2. Run it from: Menu-> System-> Oracle VM VirtualBox.
3. Accept the licence.
Just you have to remember that sidux upgrades its system's kernel often so it's necessary to re-compile
"vboxdrv" module after kernel upgraded. Make it in terminal as root:
/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup


Guest system

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Now you can create a guest system - run a Live CD and/or install a system.
1. To do so click on: New
2. It will open a wizard-> Next
3. Type a new machine name, choose OS type and version-> Next
4. Select the amount of RAM memory for guest OS-> Next
5. Create new virtual hard drive (or use an existing drive if you have any)-> Next


6. Now choose that a virtual disk will be:
a. Dynamically expanding storage - it'll use as much computer drive as the virtual disk will use.
b. Or Fixed-size storage - it'll use as much computer drive as you'll choose on next step.
7. Select new virtual disk size (and location if you want)-> Next
8. And finish configuration.


9. Go to Settings now-> Storage-> Host drive and choose CD drive or "iso" image.
10. Shared folders-> add a folder/folders from the host system to share.


11. Start the virtual system now.


12. And install it if you want.



Guest Additions

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"Guest Additions" package install optionally; it provides a few extra functions: a mouse integration
for host and guest systems, sharing files and USB devices access (USB for proprietary version only).
It has to be installed for host and guest system as well.
1. For open source version install "Guest Additions" packages on host system:
apt-get install virtualbox-guest-additions virtualbox-ose-guest-dkms virtualbox-ose-guest-source
2. You don't need to install anything for proprietary version, installation package provides it.
3. Now you should install it for the guest system.


Linux OS as a guest

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I'll be working on Ubuntu 9.04 installed before as a guest system.
1. When the guest system has been run choose from VirtualBox window's tab: "Devices-> Install Guest Additions..."
so it'll mount the package inside of the guest system in virtual CD drive.
2. Go to the guest system and install it in Terminal as root:
cd /media/cdrom0
su or sudo
./autorun.sh
3. Now restart the guest system to activate changes.

Sharing folders

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1. To have an access to sharing folders in guest system (Ubuntu) you have to:
a. Create "vboxusers" group for a guest system's user in Terminal:
sudo groupadd vboxusers
b. Add guest system user for "vboxusers" group:
sudo adduser user_name vboxusers
c. After that log off and log in again to activate changes.
2. Now create new folder, for example: "vb" in home catalogue:
mkdir /home/user_name/vb
a. Or use Thunar file manager to do so.
3. In next step mount shared folder inside "vb" folder:
sudo mount -t vboxsf shared_folder_name /home/guest_system's_user_name/vb
- "shared_folder_name" is a folder you selected creating new virtual machine Guest system/10.Shared folders
4. Now you can open shared folder in:
a. Terminal - run it as root:
sudo mc
and go to:
/home/user_name/vb


b. Nautilus file manager - go to home folder, right click on "vb" folder and choose: "Open as root".
5. If you want to mount shared folder permanently, add a line below as root:
shared_folder_name  /home/guest_system's_user_name/vb   vboxfs   defaults,auto  0  1
to a file:
/etc/fstab
Don't forget to use "Tab" key not "Space".


Windows OS as a guest

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If you installed Windows (XP for example) as a guest system, run it normally and install Guest Additions.
1. Mount "iso" image of the package in the same way like for Ubuntu.
2. Windows should detect virtual CD and run Guest Additions installator itself.
3. You have to agree with the licence-> I Agree.
4. Let the installator works.


and re-boot the guest system after.

Sharing folders

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To have an access to shared folders in Windows guest system you have to:
1. From menu Start choose: "Run" and type "explorer" into the field.
2. Next choose from left panel: My network place-> Whole network-> VirtualBox Shared Folders->
-> \\VBOXSVR\user_name - Explorer should display all shared folders.


VirtualBox home page: http://www.virtualbox.org/
On Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirtualBox
Oracle VirtualBox User Manual: http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/UserManual.html
About virtual machines on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_machine
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