VirtualBox

VirtualBox for Fedora 12 Host

This is a step by step tutorial on how to get VirtualBox 3 up and running on Fedora 12. Specifically, this guide was written using the VirtualBox 3.2.12 version and an i386 CPU (32-bit), but should work with all versions. It can be adapted to upcoming versions and different CPUs (64-bit). The folks at VirtualBox have made it easy to install for Fedora users and I’m going to show you how in a few easy steps. Right, open a terminal window and let’s get to it.

There are two options for install:

1. VirtualBox repo: If you are selective or do not install Fedora updates, this is not the option for you. It will result in installation of ALL Fedora updates that your HDA requires.
   
2. VirtualBox RPM: This will only install the RPM and any required dependencies or dependency updates your HDA requires. It is much faster and will not force ALL Fedora updates like Option 1.

Install Option 1 (VirtualBox Repo)

• Become privileged (root user):

bash code
​su -​

• Install the VirtualBox repo:

bash code
​wget http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/rpm/fedora/virtualbox.repo && cp virtualbox.repo /etc/yum.repos.d/​

• Enable the new repo:

bash code
​yum clean all yum update​

• Add dependencies:

bash code
​yum install dkms gcc​

• Install VirtualBox. If you’re having issues here, see Troubleshooting section below:

bash code
​yum install -y VirtualBox-3.2​

• Add yourself to the “vboxusers” group:

bash code
​usermod -G vboxusers -a <yourusername>​

• (OPTIONAL) This will bring up the VirtualBox GUI on the HDA Desktop. Run and enjoy!

bash code
​VirtualBox​

NOTE: See how-to-install-virtualbox-3-on-fedora-12-tutorial for more info.

Install Option 2 (VirtualBox RPM)

• Become privileged (root user):

bash code
​su -​

• Download the applicable RPM for your system (32- or 64-bit):

bash code
​wget http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/3.2.12/VirtualBox-3.2-3.2.12_68302_fedora12-1.i686.rpm​

bash code
​wget http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/3.2.12/VirtualBox-3.2-3.2.12_68302_fedora12-1.x86_64.rpm​

• Download and import the GPG key:

bash code
​wget http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/oracle_vbox.asc rpm --import oracle_vbox.asc​

• Add dependencies:

bash code
​yum install dkms gcc​

• Install VirtualBox. If you’re having issues here, see Troubleshooting section below:

bash code
​yum localinstall VirtualBox-3.2*​

• Add yourself to the “vboxusers” group:

bash code
​usermod -G vboxusers -a <yourusername>​

• (OPTIONAL) This will bring up the VirtualBox GUI on the HDA Desktop. Run and enjoy!

bash code
​VirtualBox​

Update VirtualBox to Latest Version

To update VirtualBox to the latest version, you must stop the service:

• Become privileged (root user):

su -
service vboxwebsrv stop

• Depending on the Install Option you used originally will determine how you update.

Option 1 (RPM): Download RPM from VirtualBox.org

yum localinstall RPM-Name

Option 2 (Repo):

yum update

• Restart service:

service vboxwebsrv start

phpVirtualBox (Web-Based Access)

• It has been packaged for Amahi and is currently in ALPHA testing. You will find the manual install steps here.

Portable VirtualBox for Windows XP/Vista/7 Host

• Download latest version from here.
• You can install this on a hard drive or USB Flash Drive.
• How to Install VirtualBox Guest Additions in Fedora 12 has additional info that might be helpful.

Troubleshooting

• Applies to 32-bit machines ONLY.
• Having issues with install, check to see if you have the PAE kernel:

 uname -r

• If it returns something like 2.6.31.5-127.fc12.i686.PAE, do the following:

yum install -y kernel-PAE-devel-2.6.31.5-127.fc12.i686
/etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup
VirtualBox

• VirtualBox should now work.

NOTE: See Amahi on VirtualBox for detailed guidance on installing Amahi on a virtual machine (VM).