Creating a virtual machine with Virtual Box

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If you want to run simultaneously different operating systems on the same machine, then it is necessary to create a virtual machine to host a new system. VirtualBox is a free tool that allows to virtualize an operating system of your choice. The user may need to provision different systems so simultaneously, without having to reboot his computer.

Advantages of Virtualization

The interests of virtualization are many. First, it allows for running a program originally planned on a different operating system from the one you normally use. It is possible to coexist simultaneously different "universe" on the same machine. You can, for example, to run Windows Vista on your old XP, or even install a Linux on Windows.


Similarly, virtualization creates a virtual machine to install and test different program but does not "pollute" his main work environment. Security side, the virtual machine can also surf completely secure as any infection will be in the virtual machine and not the host machine.


Finally, developers will be able to create different environments and / or specific tests on a single machine.

If there are different virtualization solutions such as Virtual PC, VMWare or Parallels Desktop, we have chosen to present here VirtualBox.First, VirtualBox is free, which is not the case all the solutions. In addition, the software is easy to use and supports multiple operating systems.

Before going further, it is necessary to download the VirtualBox. To illustrate this tutorial we are going to install Ubuntu 7.10. Of course, it is possible to install any other operating system, the process remains the same.

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Installing VirtualBox

1. After downloading VirtualBox, a simple double click on the executable file launches the installation
   
   
   
   
   
2. Click on Next button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. On Accept the license agreement Screen select "I accept the terms in the License Agreement and click Next.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on Next button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Now click on install to start installing VirtualBox.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Installation and start copying files .It may happen that different warnings will get displayed.Click on Continue button.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Finally click on Finish and your installing VirtualBox is now completed.

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Creating a virtual machine

1. When you first launch VirtualBox, the following window appears
   
   
   
   
   Note that another window you will leave your name and email to be kept informed of what's new in VirtualBox. Entering this information is optional, you can close the window if you wish.
   
   
2. To begin creating a virtual machine, click the New button
   
   
   
   
   
3. The wizard is launched
   
   
   
   
   
4. Click on Next button.
   
   
   
   
   At this stage, you must specify a name of your choice which you want to assigned to the virtual machine. For clarity, it is advisable to indicate the name of the operating system you install in the future.
   
   Then, the second drop-down menu lets you choose the type of operating system to be installed. In our example, we choose the distribution based on Ubuntu 7.10 Linux kernel 2.6. Of course, if you want to install a version of Windows or other OS, it should select the type in the drop-down list.
   
   Finally, remember that whatever the system will be installed on the virtual machine, use of the program remains the same.
   
   
5. Then click on Next button.
   
   
   
   
   This step allows us to determine how much memory will be allocated to the virtual machine. The value recommended is 256MB VirtualBox. For our virtual machine with more flexibility, we chose to allocate 512MB. The choice of the amount of memory to allocate to the virtual machine must be between a quarter and half of all the RAM on your PC
   
   
   
   
   We must now create a boot disk for the virtual machine. It was on this virtual drive that we install in the future our operating system. If you already have a virtual disk on your machine, click the button hard Existing .Otherwise (as is the case with the 1st use), we will create one by clicking on the button New .

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Creating a Ram Disk

1. The wizard to create a virtual disk appears
   
   
   
   
   
2. Click the Next button.
   
   
   
   
   
   Here we have the possibility to choose between two types of virtual disks
   • Dynamic image: the size allocated to your virtual machine is not defined in advance but automatically adjusts to your needs.
   • Image size : fixed size virtual disk is fixed at the outset.
   
   
3. In order not to unnecessarily wasting disk space, we choose the dynamic image. Then click the Next button.
   
   
   

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Finalization of the virtual machine


We have to create our boot disk, we will now finish creating the virtual machine to host our operating system.

We meet at the stage where we had stayed before the creation of virtual disk. This is now selected by default.

Click on Next button.

This screen summarizes the parameters chosen for our virtual machine. Click Finish to create the virtual machine.

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Installing the operating system

1. We can now proceed to install the operating system that we chose.
   
   We will insert our CD system installation of our choice in the CD drive of the machine (or use the iso image if we have specified in Preferences). Then, just turn on our virtual machine by selecting with the mouse and then click on Run.
   
   
2. Click the Capture button to use the mouse in the virtual machine.
   
   
3. The installation CD of our distribution Ubuntu starts.
   
   
4. Walk on the appearance of a warning on the use of the virtual machine in 16 bit color mode.
   
   
5. Now the live CD starts and we will start with installing the system.

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Using the virtual machine

1. The installation is complete, we now have a fully functional virtual machine.
   
   
2. Before ending this tutorial, it seems important to talk snapshots. This feature allows you to capture a snapshot of the system at a given time to thereafter return to this state. To use, simply click on Snapshot

Now we have crated an independent virtual machine that we can fully utilize. Of course, virtualization consumes certain resources that its operation will not be as optimal a typical installation. Nevertheless, a virtual machine provides an ease of use important to be able to have available all OS you want on a single physical machine.

[abapkkannan]

Hi
Is it possible to use a Pen drive or any external hard disk in a virtual machine ?
If possible can you please explain how ?

Thanks in advance

Regards
ABAP K.Kannan