Exploring with Gentoo Linux (Part 4)

Part 4 - Virtualization with VirtualBox

Virtualization is one of my must haves when it comes to setting up my main workstation. This is partly because I'd like to test software in guest OS environment before I put it on my main PC, and partly because I'd like to try out different Linux distributions. But the main reason is because I need Window$ OS to access to my company's network. I wish I could use WireGuard or something available for Linux but no...

In the past, many many years ago when VMWare still offered VMWare workstation for free, I used it but this is no longer available. Then, I started using VirtualBox. VirtualBox is one of well known virtualization products for x86 and AMD64 architectures from Oracle (I think it was owned by Sun Microsystems before). It is a free to use and of charges. It's available for Linux, Mac, Solaris, and Window$.

Disclaimer:
The information in this site is the result of my researches on the Internet and of my experiences. This information below is solely used for my purpose and may not be suitable for others.

Installation:

During Gentoo Linux installation, kernel configuration options should have been enabled. For details, take a look at Gentoo Wiki on VirtualBox. # emerge --ask app-emulation/virtualbox

Window$ Guest:

To get the Guest Additions ISO image that contains all necessary Windows guest drivers, install app-emulation/virtualbox-additions. # emerge --ask app-emulation/virtualbox-additions

Gentoo Linux Guest:

As mentioned before,I always try to test software that I need to install on my main PC on the guest OS environment. For that reason, I have Gentoo Linux installed as a guest OS. There may be kernel configuration requied on the Gentoo guest OS. Refer to Gentoo Wiki on Gentoo guests for more details.

Now, guest additions need to be installed on the Gentoo guest OS.# emerge --ask app-emulation/virtualbox-guest-addition

To make it persistently start across reboots, set it as default, as well as the D-bus service.# rc-update add virtualbox-guest-additions default # rc-update add dbus default

User and Group:

A user who runs VirtualBox needs to be a member of vboxusers# gpasswd -a USER_NAME vboxusers

• Part 1 - Base System
• Part 2 - Configuring Other Applications
• Part 3 - Setting up i3 Window Manager
• Part 4 - Virtualization with VirtualBox
• Part 5 - Let's type in Japanese

That's all!
-gibb