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Chapter 6: Virtual Machines and Virtualization

Virtual machines (VMs) are software emulations of physical computers. They allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single hardware device, providing a flexible and isolated environment for development, testing, and deployment. This chapter explains virtualization, the benefits and drawbacks of VMs, and provides a step-by-step tutorial on setting up a virtual machine using VirtualBox with the latest Ubuntu LTS version (24.04).

What are Virtual Machines?

A virtual machine is a complete software-based computer that runs on top of a physical host machine. Unlike containers, VMs do not share the host kernel; each VM includes its own operating system kernel.

Benefits of Virtual Machines

  1. Isolation: Each VM operates independently, ensuring stable environments for different applications.
  2. Flexibility: Run multiple operating systems simultaneously.
  3. Snapshot Functionality: Save states and revert if needed.
  4. Security: Isolated environments reduce the risk of system-wide vulnerabilities.

Drawbacks of Virtual Machines

  1. Resource Intensive: VMs require significant CPU, RAM, and storage.
  2. Slower Performance: Overheads from virtualized hardware.
  3. Complexity: Managing multiple VMs can be cumbersome.

Installing VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a popular open-source virtualization software that allows you to create and manage VMs.

Step 1: Download VirtualBox

  1. Visit the VirtualBox website.
  2. Download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Step 2: Install VirtualBox

  1. Run the downloaded installer.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions, accepting the default settings.
  3. Launch VirtualBox after installation.

Creating a Virtual Machine for Ubuntu 24.04

Step 1: Download the Ubuntu 24.04 ISO

  1. Visit the Ubuntu downloads page.
  2. Download the latest Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ISO file.

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

  1. Open VirtualBox and click New.
  2. Enter a name for your VM (e.g., "Ubuntu 24.04").
  3. Select Linux as the type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the version.
  4. Click Next.

Step 3: Allocate Resources

  1. Memory (RAM): Allocate at least 4 GB (4096 MB) for smooth performance.
  2. Hard Disk:
    • Select Create a virtual hard disk now.
    • Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
    • Select Dynamically allocated for storage.
    • Allocate at least 25 GB of disk space.

Step 4: Attach the Ubuntu ISO

  1. Select your VM and click Settings.
  2. Go to the Storage tab.
  3. Under Controller: IDE, click the empty disk icon.
  4. Click the disk icon on the right and select Choose a disk file.
  5. Navigate to and select the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
  6. Click OK.

Step 5: Start the VM and Install Ubuntu

  1. Select your VM and click Start.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu:
    • Select your language and click Install Ubuntu.
    • Choose Normal installation.
    • Follow the prompts to partition the virtual disk and set up your user account.
  3. Reboot the VM after installation completes.

Hands-On Exercise

Verify Your Setup

  1. Log into your Ubuntu VM.
  2. Open a terminal and run the following commands:
    • Update the package manager: 
      sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
    • Verify kernel information: 
      uname -r

Experiment with Snapshots

  1. Stop the VM and take a snapshot in VirtualBox.
  2. Make changes within the VM and revert to the snapshot.

Benefits of Using Virtual Machines

  • Ideal for testing new operating systems.
  • Create isolated environments for specific projects.
  • Develop and test applications in different OS setups.

Summary

In this chapter, you learned:

  • What virtual machines are and their advantages and disadvantages.
  • How to install VirtualBox and create a virtual machine with Ubuntu 24.04.

VMs provide a versatile and secure environment for experimentation and development. In the next chapter, we’ll explore Docker and containerization, which offer lightweight alternatives to virtualization.