Virtualization - Hypervisor & Guest OS Setup

🎯 Aim

To download, install, and configure a Type-2 hypervisor (Oracle VM VirtualBox) and install a guest Linux Operating System (Ubuntu) on top of a Windows host machine.

📖 Theoretical Background

Virtualization

Virtualization is the process of creating a software-based (virtual) representation of something physical, such as virtual applications, servers, storage, and networks. It is the core technology powering cloud computing.

Hypervisor

A hypervisor (or Virtual Machine Monitor, VMM) is software that creates and runs virtual machines (VMs).

• Type-1 (Bare-Metal): Runs directly on the host’s hardware (e.g., VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V).
• Type-2 (Hosted): Runs as an application on top of an existing Operating System (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware Workstation). This lab uses VirtualBox, a Type-2 hypervisor.

graph TD
    subgraph Type-2 Hypervisor Architecture
        A[Hardware] --> B[Host OS: e.g., Windows]
        B --> C[Hypervisor: VirtualBox]
        C --> D[Guest VM 1: Ubuntu Linux]
        C --> E[Guest VM 2: Windows OS]
    end

🛠️ Requirements & Setup

1. VirtualBox Installer: Download from the official VirtualBox Downloads Page (Select Windows hosts).
2. Guest OS ISO: Download the Ubuntu Desktop LTS ISO.

🚶 Step-by-Step Procedure

Phase A: Installing Oracle VM VirtualBox

1. Double-click the downloaded VirtualBox installer executable. On the Welcome to the Oracle VM VirtualBox Setup Wizard screen, click Next.

   

2. Keep the default installation features and path unchanged, then click Next.

   

3. Review the shortcut preferences and settings, and click Next.

   

4. A warning about Network Interfaces will appear (temporary disconnect during virtual interface setup). Click Yes to proceed.

   

5. Click Install to begin the installation process.

   

6. Once the installation is complete, click Finish. The VirtualBox shortcut icon will now appear on your desktop.

   

Phase B: Creating a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox and click the New button (Blue Ribbon icon) at the top.
2. In the Create Virtual Machine dialog, configure the following details:
   • Name: Ubuntu-Lab
   • Folder: Select the location to store VM files (default is usually fine).
   • ISO Image: Browse and select the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
   • Type: Linux
   • Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
   • Optional: You can check Skip unattended installation if you want to manually run through the OS setup screens. Click Next.
3. Hardware Configuration:
   • Base Memory (RAM): Allocate at least 2048 MB (2 GB) or 4099 MB (4 GB) if your host system allows.
   • Processors: Assign at least 2 CPUs. Click Next.
4. Virtual Hard disk:
   • Select Create a Virtual Hard Disk Now.
   • Allocate at least 25 GB of disk size (dynamically allocated is default and recommended). Click Next.
5. Review the summary and click Finish.

Phase C: Installing the Guest OS (Ubuntu)

1. Select your new VM from the left panel and click Start (Green arrow).
2. The VM will boot from the ISO. In the GRUB menu, select Try or Install Ubuntu and hit Enter.
3. Once the installer loads, select your preferred language and click Install Ubuntu.
4. Choose keyboard layout (Default: English US) and click Continue.
5. Select Normal Installation and check Download updates while installing Ubuntu. Click Continue.
6. Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu (This only erases the virtual hard disk created in Phase B, not your Windows drive). Click Install Now and confirm the write changes dialog.
7. Choose your timezone and click Continue.
8. Set up your user credentials:
   • Your Name: Lab Student
   • Computer Name: ubuntu-vm
   • Username: student
   • Password: Set a secure password.
9. Click Continue and wait for the installation to complete.
10. Once prompted, click Restart Now and press Enter when asked to remove the installation medium.

🧪 Expected Output & Verification

• Upon restart, the Ubuntu login screen will load.
• Log in with the password you configured.
• Open a web browser or terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) inside the virtual machine to verify internet connectivity.