VirtualBox virtual machine
https://www.virtualbox.org/
VirtualBox is a virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. It is useful for testing and developing software, as well as running multiple operating systems concurrently on a single computer.
With VirtualBox, you can install and run multiple virtual machines on your computer, each with its own operating system and applications. This can be useful if you want to run applications or test software on different operating systems without having to physically install them on your computer or use multiple computers.
VirtualBox is also useful for security and isolation, as you can run potentially risky applications or tasks in a virtual machine that is separate from your host operating system. This can help to protect your host system from any potential damage or malware that may be introduced by the virtual machine.
It's a powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes, including testing, development, and running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.
Availability
VirtualBox is available for a wide range of operating systems, including:
- Windows (XP and later)
- macOS (10.6 Snow Leopard and later)
- Linux (most distributions)
- Solaris
- Oracle VM Server for SPARC
- Oracle VM Server for x86
You can use VirtualBox to run virtual machines with different operating systems on any of the above host operating systems. For example, you can use VirtualBox on a Windows host to run a virtual machine with macOS, or you can use it on a Linux host to run a virtual machine with Windows.
It is important to note that the performance and capabilities of VirtualBox may vary depending on the host operating system and hardware. Some features may not be available or may have limited functionality on certain host operating systems.
How to backup a VirtualBox machine?
It's important to regularly backup your virtual machine to protect against data loss in the event of a crash or other problem.
There are several ways you can backup a VirtualBox instance:
- Take a snapshot: This is the easiest and quickest way to backup a VirtualBox instance. A snapshot captures the state of the virtual machine at a particular point in time, including the virtual machine's settings, all virtual disks, and the memory state. You can create a snapshot by going to the Machine menu, selecting Take Snapshot, and following the prompts.
- Export the virtual machine: Exporting the virtual machine creates a file that contains all of the virtual machine's settings, virtual disks, and a copy of the virtual machine's memory state at the time of export. To export a virtual machine, go to the File menu, select Export Appliance, and follow the prompts.
- Create a copy of the virtual machine: You can create a copy of the virtual machine by going to the Machine menu, selecting Duplicate, and following the prompts. This will create a new virtual machine with a copy of all of the original virtual machine's settings, virtual disks, and a copy of the memory state at the time of duplication.
- Backup the virtual disk files: You can also backup the virtual disk files for your virtual machine. These files contain the virtual machine's operating system, applications, and data. To do this, you can simply copy the virtual disk files to a backup location. The virtual disk files are typically located in the VirtualBox VMs folder on your host system.
Why do people use virtual machines?
- Testing and development: Virtual machines allow users to test and develop software in an isolated environment without affecting the host operating system. This is useful for testing software and applications that may not be compatible with the host operating system.
- Isolation and security: Virtual machines provide an additional layer of security by running applications and operating systems in an isolated environment. This can be useful for running potentially risky or untrusted software.
- Running multiple operating systems: Virtual machines allow users to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. This can be useful for users who need to use applications that are only available on a particular operating system.
- Consolidation: Virtual machines can be used to consolidate multiple physical servers into a single physical machine, reducing hardware costs and simplifying maintenance.
- Compatibility: Virtual machines can be used to run older operating systems or applications that may not be compatible with newer hardware or operating systems.
Alternatives to VirtualBox
There are several alternatives to VirtualBox:
| Name | Price | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| VMware Workstation | Paid | VMware |
| VMware Fusion | Paid | VMware |
| Parallels Desktop | Paid | Parallels |
| Hyper-V (Windows) | Free | Microsoft |
| KVM (Linux) | Free | Linux Kernel |
| QEMU (Linux, Windows) | Free | Open-source |
| Proxmox Virtual Environment | Free | Proxmox |
Note: Some of the paid options may also have free versions with limited features.
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