Virtualization

Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu Based and derivative distribution

VirtualBox is a popular open-source multi-platform virtualization application developed by Oracle. VirtualBox is used for installing and running multiple operating systems at the same time inside of a virtually created machine. Mostly, VirtualBox is used for testing and development purposes.

The installation methods mentioned here should also work for other Debian- and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions such as Linux Mint, elementary OS, etc...

Open a terminal and before to move further, update the system’s package repository by using the following command.

$ sudo apt-get -y update

After updating the system’s APT cache repository, install VirtualBox using the command given below.

$ sudo apt-get -y install virtualbox virtualbox-ext-pack virtualbox-guest-utils

Install VirtualBox on Windows or MacOS

If you are running Windows or MacOS operating system, before to go to the next step, you will need to download the VirtualBox installer and proceed with the installation on your machine.

Step 1 - Create a Virtual Machine

Once you’ve it opened, click on the New icon located at the top of VirtualBox windows to create a new virtual machine.

Step 2 - Setup name and operating system

Enter the Name you want to use for your virtual machine. Optionaly, you can also specify the path of the directory where your Virtual Machine will be saved referenced as Machine Folder. Select Linux in the Type dropdown menu and finally set the version of your Virtual Machine to Ubuntu and click "Next" when you are done.

Step 3 - Memory Size

BlackBuntu Linux can run on machines with 1024MB of RAM, but at least 4GB is strongly recommended. Choose the settings that match with your device and click "Next" to continue.

Step 4 - Hard Disk

It's now the time to Create a virtual hard disk by selecting the second option available in the menu and click "Create" to move to the next step.

Step 5 - Hard Disk File Type

In the next step, select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) as your Hard drive file type and click "Next" to continue.

Step 6 - Storage on Physical Hard Disk

Now, you will have to choose how VirtualBox manage the storage of your virtual machine. If you are not sure, we recommend to select Dynamically allocated and click "Next" to continue.

Step 7 - File location and size

In this step, you can modify the Machine Folder location path previously set in Step 1. Furthermore, you can increase the size of your Virtual Hard Disk. We recommend to use a size of at least 40GB or greater. Click "Next" to continue the settings process when you are ready.

Step 8 - Virtual Machine Optimization

Your virtual machine should now appear in the left side of your screen as per the below screenshot. It's now the time to finalize your configuration making some extra changes. To do so, just "Right-Click" on your virtual machine name and select "Settings" in the dropdown menu.

Step 9 - Shared Clipboard and Drag/Drop Feature

If you want to be able to share files between your operating system and your virtual machine in both directions, under the General menu, select the Advanced TAB and change Shared Clipboard and Drag ’n’ Drop to Bidirectional. This will allow you to copy/paste files and clipboard content from your HOST to your virtual machine or vice versa.

Step 10 - System Processor

To optimize the performance of your virtual machine you should setup the number of processors that can be used from your operating system. To do so, navigate under the System menu, select the Processor TAB and from there you can change the number of processors to be used by your virtual machine. We recommend to setup 2 virtual cores which is works well for almost every operating system.

Step 11 - Display Screen

If you want to be enable to increase the screen resolution of your virtual machine, you must first of allocate the video memory you allow your virtual machine to use. To do so, navigate under the Display menu, select the Screen TAB and set the Video Memory to the maximal value allowed by your host system.

Step 12 - Loading BlackBuntu ISO image

This step is crucial. You are now going to select the BlackBuntu Linux ISO image you downloaded to insert it into your virtual machine. To do so, navigate under the Storage menu and highlight the empty CD icon under the Controller: IDE field. Now from the right side of the window, click on the CD icon in order to be able to select the BlackBuntu ISO image from your computer.

Step 13 - Network

The setting of the network is normally already configured but if you want to modify it, navigate under the Network menu, select the Adapter 1 TAB. From there you can enable or disable the networks adapters as you need.

Step 14 - USB 2.0/3.0 Controllers

Before to change the settings of this section ensure you have properly installed the virtualbox-ext-pack. If you are ready, simply navigate under the USB menu, select the Enable USB Controller checkbox and select the option associated to the one you want to enable.

Step 15 - Proceed with the ISO installation

You are all done. You can now click the green "Start" icon located at the top of VirtualBox windows and begin with the installation of BlackBuntu Linux. The installation process is exactly the same whether you install it on your computer as the main operating system or on a virtual machine.

Conclusion

Take the time to watch the below video for a complete overview of the installation process of BlackBuntu using VirtualBox.

Install VMware on Ubuntu Based and derivative distribution

VMware is a hypervisor through which one can run multiple primary operating systems on a single desktop. VMware is supported by various operating systems that include Microsoft Windows and most Linux distributions.

The installation methods mentioned here should also work for other Debian- and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions such as Linux Mint, elementary OS, etc...

Unlike VirtualBox, VMware Player is not available to install using Ubuntu 22.04's default system repository. Just open your browser and visit Vmware's official website to download the workstation player. On the download page click on the button given in front of "VMware Workstation x.x.x Player for Linux 64-bit".

Once the download is complete, open your terminal and navigate to the directory where the file you just downloaded is located and run the installation using the following commands:

$ sudo chmod +x VMware-Player-Full-*.x86_64.bundle && sudo ./VMware-Player-Full-*.x86_64.bundle

When the initial installation has finished, you will need a few additional kernel modules, which can be installed by executing the following command in terminal:

$ sudo vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

Install VMware on Windows

Installing VMware on a Windows machine is quite straight forward. You just need to visit the Vmware's official website like described above for Linux operating system. On the download page click on the button given in front of "VMware Workstation x.x.x Player for Windows 64-bit Operating System".

Once the download is complete, just click the executable file in your Windows machine and follow the installation instruction like you could do for every another Windows softwares in order to install VMware on your machine.

Step 1 - Activate VMware

When you fireup VMware for the first time, you will be invited to enter the license key or select For non-commercial use from the checkbox to complete your setup.

Step 2 - Create a Virtual Machine

Once you’ve it opened, click on the Create a New Virtual Machine option to create your first virtual machine.

Step 3 - ISO image

You need now to define the path of the BlackBuntu ISO image from your machine. First of all select the checkbox Use ISO image and click now the Browse button to import the ISO image file. Click "Next" when you are ready.

Step 4 - Operating System

In this step, VMware require you to select from a menu the Guest Operating System. You will need to click the "Linux" checkbox and select "Ubuntu" from the version dropdown. Click "Next" when you are done with this step.

Step 5 - Virtual Machine Name and Path

Now you need to complete the Name with the name you want to give to your Virtual Machine and the Location with the fullpath of the directory where you want your Virtual Machine be stored. Click "Next" when you are ready.

Step 6 - Disk Capacity

In this step you will need to specify the Maximum disk size you allow to your virtual machine. We recommend to use a size of at least 40GB or greater. We also recommend to leave the Split virtual disk into multiples files option by default and click "Next" to continue the settings process when you are ready.

Step 7 - Virtual Machine Optimization

Your virtual machine is almost ready to be created. Select "Customize Hardware" button to go to the advanced virtual machine settings.

Step 8 - Memory Size

BlackBuntu Linux can run on machines with 1024MB of RAM, but at least 4GB is strongly recommended. Choose the settings that match with your device and click "Close" to return to the previous screen and finally click now the "Finish" button to create your virtual machine.

Step 9 - Proceed with the ISO installation

You are all done. You can now click the "Close" button to begin with the installation of BlackBuntu Linux. The installation process is exactly the same whether you install it on your computer as the main operating system or on a virtual machine.

Conclusion

Take the time to watch the below video for a complete overview of the installation process of BlackBuntu using VMware.