Virtual Machine Tutorial

You will be creating a virtual machine from the Windows machines in the lab. Everyone must create the virtual machine in the lab, even if you plan to install Linux on your own computer. I want to know that everyone has access to a Linux machine with root access.

The labs have Virtual Box installed. If you want to try this at home, then you can obtain Virtual Box from http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads. Of course, you can also download Virtual PC from Microsoft. The book uses version 2004, but there are newer versions for Vista and 7: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx

If you use Virtual PC, then follow the instructions that are in the text book. For VirtualBox, keep reading.

Shared Storage on buffalo

You do not have enough storage in your student accounts to install an operating system, so you are being given access to some additional storage for installing the machine. From Windows Explorer, create a drive letter for the storage that will contain your machine.

The name of the share should be \\buffalo\cgs3767-vmstorage
Make sure that the Reconnect at Login box is checked.

Virtual Box

Create New Machine

Open VirtualBox and select New and click Next.

Enter Name and OS

• include your username and fedora in the name of the virtual machine (eg, tdowne99_fedora)
• select Linux from the OS drop down
• select Fedora from the Type drop down
• click Next

Select the Kernel Memory

• Use the recommended amount, it should be sufficient
• click Next

Create a Virtual Hard Disk

• The Boot Hard Disk check box should be checked
• The Create New Hard Disk radio button should be selected
• Click Next

Click Next on the first page of the Virtual Hard Disk wizard

The Dynamically Expanding Storage button should be selected, then click Next

Make sure you specify the correct location for the machine or you will mess up your student account beyond imagination!!! You will be visited by monsters if you do not get this step correct!

• Click the browse button next to the Location box.
  • Find your mapped drive for the machine storage
  • Create a new folder with your username, if one does not already exist (eg, tdowne99)
  • Open the folder
  • Accept the default name for the hard disk
• Accept the default size for the hard disk (8 GB)

Review the summary for the hard drive and the virtual machine and finish

Select the Installation Media

Click the start button to open the First Run Wizard

• Click the browse folder icon next to the Media Source drop down list
• Click the Add button
• Navigate to the mapped drive
• Select the Fedora .iso file from the root folder of the mapped drive (Fedora-14-i386-DVD.iso)
• Click Open then Select the .iso

Install Fedora

You should now see the welcome screen for Fedora.

• Use Tab/Alt Tab to move to different selections; space to select
• Install New or Upgrade Existing
• You will get information about capturing the mouse. In order to run Linux, the application must control the mouse. Use the right control key to return the mouse to Windows.
• Perform the Media test.

If you get an error that the Fedora disk cannot be found, then

1. Go to the Devices menu in your virtual machine window.
2. Select the CD/DVD Devices menu.
3. Unmount the Fedora ISO
4. Remount the Fedora ISO

Configure Fedora

From now on, the mouse should work within a GUI installation wizard.

• Select the language
• Select the keyboard
• Choose Basic storage media
• You will get an error about re-initializing the drive. Reinitialize.
• Enter the host name. Use cgs3767.username (eg, cgs3767.tdowne99)
• Select time zone
• Enter root password of your choice. Remember it or you will need to reinstall the OS when you forget it.
• Choose the Replace Existing Linux Installation option.
• Write partition changes to disk
• Accept the default repositories

Unmount the ISO

The installation can take a bit of time, even after the message appears that all components have been installed. Just give it all the time it needs.

Once it has installed completely, you must unmount the .iso image and reboot.

• Open the Devices menu
• Open the CD/DVD menu
• Click the Unmount option

Reboot and Finish Configuration

Reboot the machine by clicking the Reboot button in the main window.

Finish configuring Fedora.

• Create a user
• Set the date (you should be able to synchronize to a time server)