VirtualBox: VirtualBox is a powerful open source virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Now at this time virtual box runs on Windows, Macintosh, Solaris and Linux platform and supports a large number of guest operating system. Virtual box users can load multiple guest operating system, each guest can be started, paused and stopped within its own virtual machine.
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| VirtualBox |
Supported Guest Operating System
- Windows NT 4.0
- Windows 2000
- Windows Server 2003
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 8
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows 10
- DOS / Windows 3.x
- Linux 2.4, 2.6, 3.x, 4.x (x86 & x64)
- OpenSolaris
- Solaris
- OpenBSD
- OpenSUSE
- Debian GNU
- Mac OS X (x64)
Why is Virtualization Useful ?
- Running multiple operating system simultaneously : VirtualBox allows you to run multiple guest operating system inside main operating system at same time.
- Easier software installations : software developers can use virtual machine to ship entire software configurations
- Infrastructure consolidation : Virtualization can significantly reduce hardware and electricity costs. We can run single system with VirtualBox instead of running multiple physical computer.
- Testing and disaster recovery : Once installed, a virtual machine and its virtual hard disk can be transferred. This also saves time and manpower.
Installation Process of Guest Operating System
For running a guest operating system you need to obtain a latest version of VirtualBox executable file, you can download it from official website click here
Install in normal way as you install Windows program after successful installing launch VirtualBox program.
1. Click on new to create new virtual machine.
2. Name and operating system : Fill operating system name, type and version details.
3. Memory size (RAM) : Choose memory size by sliding pointer in it. If you have 1 GB or less RAM you can use about a quarter of RAM or less should be fine.
4. Hard drive : There is three different type of available option
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| Choose Guest OS |
2. Name and operating system : Fill operating system name, type and version details.
3. Memory size (RAM) : Choose memory size by sliding pointer in it. If you have 1 GB or less RAM you can use about a quarter of RAM or less should be fine.
4. Hard drive : There is three different type of available option
- Do not add a virtual drive : This option skip the virtual hard drive creation.
- Create a virtual hard drive now : This will create a new virtual hard drive. The recommended size of virtual hard drive is 8GB.
- Use an existing virtual hard drive : If you already have virtual hard drive such as .vmdk, .vdi, .hdd etc. files format.
Select create a virtual hard drive now and click on create
6. Choose hard drive file type : select .vmdk file type and click next
7. Storage on physical hard drive : select dynamically allocated option
7. Storage on physical hard drive : select dynamically allocated option
- Dynamic allocate : A dynamically allocated hard drive file will only use space on your physical hard drive as it fills up up to fixed size .
- Fixed : A fixed size hard drive file may take longer to create on same system but it often faster to use.
8. File location and size : Choose file location and virtual hard drive size. The recommended hard drive size is 8GB ( you can choose according to your usage ).
9. Setting Linux liveCD : Go to VirtualBox --> Choose a Virtual Machine (left side) such as Linux --> Right click on it and select Setting option --> Storage --> Storage Tree -- > Empty (below Controller IDE) --> Attributes (click on CD icon and choose a virtual CD/DVD disk) after selecting an .iso file of OS click ok.
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| Choose OS LiveCD |
10. Select a virtual machine and hit start button or right click on virtual machine and select start option.
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| Linux Booting |
Congratulations! you have successfully run guest operating system in Windows OS
Advantages of VirtualBox
- The size of the installation doesn't have to be predetermined. It can be a dynamically resized virtual hard drive according to requirement.
- You do not need to reboot in order to switch between Ubuntu and Windows user can use both operating system in same time.
- You always have Windows to fall back on in case there are any problems. All you have to do is press the right Ctrl key and Alt key instead of rebooting your entire computer.
- For troubleshooting purposes, you can easily take screenshot.
- The virtual machine will set up its own video configuration, so you don't have to worry about screen configuration.
- VirtualBox is a open source program it means free of cost.
- The virtual machine will use your Windows internet connection, so you don't have to worry about not detecting your wireless card, if you have one.
- If you don't like Ubuntu or other guest OS, all you have to do is delete the virtual hard drive and complete uninstall VirtualBox.