Using VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a free software package from Oracle that allows you to run a number of different virtual machines. It is also very easy to use.

Introduction to VirtualBox

Launch VirtualBox and you'll see it's a relatively simple application. Your virtual machines are refered to as "Appliances" and are listed on the left side of the main window.

Managing Virtual Machines

Managing virtual machines is largely about starting and stopping them at the appropriate times. Another advantage of virtual machines is that you can save "snapshots" of where you were and return to exactly the configuration that was saved. You'll want to do this regularly for backups.

Note: If you save large rasters into your virtual machine (i.e. folders on the virtual machines file system) they will be included in your backups. For this class, you'll want to use a network drive for any large raster files.

1. Start the virtual machine by clicking on the "Appliance" in the list and clicking the large green button.
2. Before doing anything else, make a "snapshot" from the "Machine" menu. Then, you can make all the changes you want within the virtual machine without fear of harming your machine.
3. Normally, you'll stop a virtual machine by shutting it down from with the operating system inside the virtual machine. If the machine is locked up, you can right click on the appliance and "Close" the virtual machine. In either case, you'll be asked if you want to save the state of the machine. Normally you'll say yes so the machine comes right back to where you were but if it is locked up, you probably do not want to save that state.
4. You can now close the VirtualBox application even if you have virtual machines running. When you reopen the VirtualBox application, you'll see the virtual machines you are running.

Adding a Shared Folder

Getting data into and out of a virtual machine can be challenging. You can use a web site to download data into your virtual machine but it's faster to use a shared disk.

To add a shared disk:

1. Select "Devices -> Shared Folder Settings..."
2. Add a new folder
3. Browse to your "D:" drive for the "Folder Path:"
4. Select "Auto-mount" and "Make Permanent"
5. Click "OK"
6. Select "Applications -> Log out"
7. Select "Restart"
8. Go to "File System -> Media"

Once a folder has been shared, it will appear in the "Media" folder.

Adding Guest Additions

We have added the guest additions to the "ova" file we've provided you. If you do not use this file, you'll need to add the "Guest Additions" to Ubunto for the shared folders to operate.

1. In the Virtual machine, select Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD
2. In Ubuntu, select Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal Emulator
3. Change the directory ("cd") into the "VBOXADDITIONS" folder
4. Execute the following command: "sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run". This will install the "Guest Additions" in the virtual machine so we can access folders that are shared between MS-Windows and Ubuntu.
5. You may need to restart for this change to take effect

Note: you need to have administrative privleges for this to work so the "sudo" is critical in the command above.