Another desktop virtualization tool is Sun VirtualBox. Virtualbox operates in a similar way to other desktop virtualization tools. It allows you to create virtual machines within a host operating system like Windows XP etc.

So how does VirtualBox compare? VirtualBox has similar features to other products:

• Supports software and hardware virtualization
• Supports most guest operating systems
• 32bit and 64bit support. 64 bit operating systems require hardware virtualization
• Full ACPI support
• I/O APIC support
• USB support
• Multiple screen resolution
• Pxe boot support
• Built in iSCSI support
• Remote access

To install VirtualBox download from www.virtualbox.org. The installation is really fast.

• Install by following the default options
• You will get prompted to accept the unsigned drivers, accept them

• Once complete start Virtualbox from the start menu under Sun xVM VirtualBox on the start menu

• enter the registration details and continue

Now you are ready to create a virtual machine.

• Click new

• Set the name and type of guest operating system you are going to use
• Specify the memory you want to allocate, if you are unsure leave it at the default for now. You can change this at a later date if required
• Create a new disk and allocate as required. Allocate at least 12GB. This gives you a little room to play with
• follow the prompts and continue. By default the virtual machine files are stored within your profile
• You will get a message describing the click in and out method for accessing the virtual machine console

• Install the operating system

After the operating system has completed installing you are set to start using it, almost.

On the virtual machine console devices menu select Install Guest additions. You will need to press the right control button to release the mouse focus.

Open the start menu and right click on the My Computer icon. Select manage and go to the device manager. Find the yellow icons with an exclamation mark from Other devices. Right click and select update drivers. Follow the prompts.

Once this is finished and there are no yellow unconfigured or mis-configured devices you can use the option to resize the window automatically.

That is it.

Observations

Unlike VMWare, you can only take a snapshot once the guest operating system has shutdown.

I noticed some video and focus issues with the automatic screen size option. Additionally, having the task manager open while trying to work within the virtual machine caused the mouse to not position correctly.

On the positive side the guest operating system starts quickly and seems to run well. You can also use vboxmanage to clone an existing machine. Vboxmanage is a utility found in the program files.

Simply enter in a command prompt: vboxmanage clonevid <UUID>|<filename> <destination file>. Now you can create a new virtual machine. The whole process only took minutes.