Virtual Machine

What is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based, digital computer that runs inside a physical computer, acting as an isolated, independent system with its own OS, CPU, memory, and storage, allowing you to run multiple operating systems (like Windows on a Mac) or create safe, separate environments for testing and development, all managed by software called a hypervisor. VMs improve resource use, security, and flexibility, forming the foundation for cloud computing.

How It Works

Host & Guest: A physical computer (the "host") runs virtualization software (a "hypervisor"), which creates and manages one or more "guest" virtual machines.

Resource Allocation: The hypervisor allocates slices of the host's physical CPU, RAM, and storage to each VM.

Isolation: Each VM operates independently, so an issue in one VM doesn't affect the host or other VMs.

Key Benefits & Uses

Testing & Development: Create safe, isolated "sandboxes" to test software or risky apps without harming your main system.

Server Consolidation: Run many virtual servers on one powerful physical server, saving hardware costs

Disaster Recovery: Use VM snapshots for quick backups and rollbacks.

Cloud Computing: Cloud providers use VMs to offer scalable, on-demand computing power to users.

Recommended VM Software

Oracle Virtual Box - Popular free software for desktops.

How To Install Linux Mint in a Virtual Machine:

There are several youtube videos that provide detailed steps in setting up Oracle VM, however none of them cover all the steps necessary for a complete setup.

Here is a brief summary of the steps required: (details are provided in a separate document)

Prerequisites & Downloads

• 1. Your computers BIOS must have Virtualization Enabled. This can be checked in Task Manager under the CPU Performance Graph.
• 2. Download Linux Mint ISO and place this ISO file on a USB stick. Linux Mint
• 3. Download Oracle Virtual Box. Oracle Virtual Box
• 4. Install Oracle Virtual Box

Configure the Virtual Container

• 1. Open Oracle VirtualBox to the Manager Window and select NEW.
• 2. In this window there are several settings that have to be made In Four Sections:
• -- NAME:
• -- ISO Image:
• -- Skip Unattended Installation
• -- Hardware: Set the size of your Virtual Base Memory and number of Processors
• -- Hard Disk - Set the size of your Virtual Hard Disk
• -- Click on FINISH
• 3. VM Settings to change:
• -- General > Features > change Shared Clipboard and Drag and Drop to Bidirectional
• -- Display > Video Memory to absolute maximum.
• -- Display > Graphics Controller VboxSVGA
• -- USB > Enabled and set to USB 3.0
• 4. Insert the USB with Linux ISO. Install your Virtual OS. On the Manager Window select LinuxMint and click on RUN
• -- Follow the normal procedures for installing Linux. Don't worry about the step that says Erase Disk, that is the Virtual Disk, not your actual HD
• 5. Enable Full Screen mode

Detailed Instructions.

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- This page last updated on 30 March 2021