VirtualBox on Ubuntu

There are two 'editions' of VirtualBox: the OSE (Open-source Edition) and CSE (Closed-source edition). The OSE is free for any and all uses, but does not contain several advanced features (RDP server and USB pass-through are the major two).

If you will be using the virtual machine directly (not via another machine on the network), and you don't need to use any USB devices in your guest, then the OSE is enough for you.

If, on the other hand, you want the full set of features that VirtualBox has to offer (and will be using it for personal or evaluation reasons), then go for the full CSE.

Installation instructions below assume Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy) or 8.10 (Intrepid). Older versions 'may' be supported, but you may run into trouble with advanced features (such as USB) on older platforms.

Installing VirtualBox OSE is very straightforward. Open up a new Terminal (Applications -> Accessories), and execute the following commands:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose
sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose-modules-`uname -r`

The first line will install the VirtualBox core application. The second line will install and build the required kernel modules.

Finally, you need to add yourself to the vboxusers group to give yourself permissions to use VirtualBox:

sudo usermod -Gvboxusers -a `whoami`

You may need to log out and back in before the change of groups will take effect.

That's it! You are now ready to start using VirtualBox.

NOTE: If you have a very new kernel, execution of the second line may fail if virtualbox modules are not yet uploaded for that kernel (see Bug #303199). In this event, execute the following in a terminal to build the modules manually:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose-source module-assistant
sudo module-assistant auto-install virtualbox-ose-source
sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv start

To install the CSE, we first need to add the proper third-party software repository (so that we still get automatic updates).

From the top menu bar, click on System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager. Enter your password when prompted.

Click on Settings -> Repositories. Open the "Third Party Software" tab. Click the "Add" button. The string you paste here depends on which version of Ubuntu you have installed (a full list is available at the VirtualBox download page):

Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy:  

deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian hardy non-free

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid:  

deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian intrepid non-free

Once you have pasted the appropriate deb line from above, click on "Add Source".

You should now reload the software list by pressing CTRL+R (or by clicking the reload button on the toolbar, or by selecting Reload from the Edit menu).

Close Synaptec.

Open up a new Terminal (under Applications -> Accessories) and copy/paste the following commands:

wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/sun_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
sudo apt-get install virtualbox-2.1

The first will update the keys used to sign VirtualBox (to ensure that you are getting the actual binary distributed by Sun, and not a trojan), while the second line will actually install VirtualBox.

During VirtualBox installation, you may be prompted to compile the kernel module (select Yes).

Finally, add yourself to the proper group (so that you have the correct permissions):

sudo usermod -Gvboxusers -a `whoami`

You may need to log out and back in before settings will take effect.

With the basics out of the way, we are ready to get into the nitty-gritty. The remainder of this document will focus on how to get the most of the Ubuntu host + XP guest combination.

To free yourself from pointer capture, and to allow for a far more flexible choice of screen resolutions, you will need to install Guest Extensions.

Start your XP guest. At the top of the XP Guest window, click on Devices -> Install Guest Extensions from the menubar. This mounts the guest extensions CD image in the CDROM of your XP guest, and an installer should autorun. Click Next a few times, Continue if any dialogs pop-up, and then reboot the XP guest.

Now, we need to mount the shared folders to drives in XP. Open the Network Neighborhood and double click on "Entire Network" then "VirtualBox Shared Folders". If you do not see "Entire Network" listed, click on Tools -> Folder Options, and under Tasks select "Use Windows Classic folders" then click OK.

Right click on each of your shared folders, and click on Map Network Drive. Assign them each a drive letter.

You are probably going to want to share some folders between your Ubuntu host and your XP guest.

Make sure you have already installed Guest Extensions above!

Shut down your XP guest. Right-click it in the Machine list, and click "Settings". Click on "Shared Folders" in the list on the left.

Click on the "Add New Shared Folder" icon (the one that looks like a little folder with a green + on it). Under Folder Path select Other and browse to the directory you want to share (your home directory is the default), and click Select then OK.

Repeat this process for any other folders you would like to share, then click OK to exit from the Settings dialog.

Now, we need to mount the shared folders to drives in XP. Start up the XP Guest.

Open the Network Neighborhood and double click on "Entire Network" then "VirtualBox Shared Folders". If you do not see "Entire Network" listed, click on Tools -> Folder Options, and under Tasks select "Use Windows Classic folders" then click OK.

Right click on each of your shared folders, and click on Map Network Drive. Assign them each a drive letter.

To use the USB pass-through functionality of VirtualBox CSE, you must now enable usbfs support.

The exact process is different for Gutsy and Intrepid, but it's covered in the detail by the Ubuntu Community documentation. Instead of reproducing it here, I now direct you to follow their guide to VirtualBox USB under Ubuntu.

Once you are done, reboot your computer before continuing (remember to bookmark this page!)

This guide shows only a subset of what's possible to do with VirtualBox under Ubuntu. If you see any errors or omissions, or simply have a comment, please leave it below!