We currently have computers so powerful that they are capable of performing a lot of operations, as well as being fast and capable of running a virtual machine at the same time as we have the operating system, without the slightest problem.
Although it may seem like a lie, what is virtualizationa term used to define the action of having a virtual machine, can have really interesting uses, since from the same computer we can have several different operating systems.
When you want to perform virtualization, the first tool you think of is VirtualBox, since it is one of the best known and currently used for this purpose.
Let’s get to know better what it is, as well as how we can use and configure this software.
What is Virtual Box and how it works:
What is VirtualBox?
VirtualBox is one of the free and open source software with which we can work with virtual machines.
These types of programs are known as hypervisors and VirtualBox is one that is used to virtualize machines, achieving fast speeds and very good fluidity.
Something very positive is that we are facing a open source software for which he receives considerable support from his community.
It is also a cross-platform installable software, which means it can be installed on Windows, macOS, and many Linux distributions.
What can we use VirtualBox for?
To test other operating systems
If we have Windows 11 on the computer, this will allow us to have another operating system that we want to use it and, when we don’t use it, it will be enough to just turn off VirtualBox and continue operating with the device freely.
VirtualBox can start all kinds of systemsbe it Windows, macOS, or one of the many Linux distributions.
test a website
Before we put on the net a websitewe can use VirtualBox to know how it would look, how it would look and how fluid it works.
VirtualBox is a great way to host our own web server in a safe environment without any additional equipment.
Learning Cybersecurity
The best way to learn cybersecurity is to apply your skills in a real environment.
For that we are going to use the virtualization of this type of machine and thus test our skills without having to pay to online cybersecurity schools.
With VirtualBox and a free machine image like vulnhubbasically we will have a free sandbox.
develop software
Like the previous point, VirtualBox is used to test and develop cross-platform software.
We will be able to develop an application and then verify that everything works well in a virtual environment and thus correct the errors that are necessary, which must have appeared in our virtualization.
Play games
Another reason to use VirtualBox is to play games within a different environment which we normally use.
That is to say, if there is a game that we think we are going to love, but it is for a platform that we do not have, thanks to VirtualBox we will have the opportunity to create a compatible environment. In addition, old games will also have their place, as we can use them if we create a virtual machine with old software.
Configuring a virtual machine
Once we have installed the software VirtualBox on the computerIt is the moment in which we must set up a virtual machine so that we can start working with this software.
We are going to virtualize another operating system on the computer, but before starting to use VirtualBox, we must download from the Internet an ISO image of the system that we are going to virtualize to later use it in this software.
From there, the steps we must take are the following:
- We click on New to create a new virtual machine.
- We give a name to the virtual machine and click on Next.
- VirtualBox will automatically suggest the type and version of the operating system used in the virtual machine by name.
- Set the VM available memory and click Next. This will vary depending on your system. We have 32 GB of RAM, so we can allocate 8 GB (8192 MB) and with them it will be able to run any operating system that we have installed.
- Select a new virtual hard drive (Create a Virtual Hard Disk Now) for the virtual machine assigning the GB that we want to grant to the virtual machine. Click on Next. This will start the process of creating a file that will contain the operating system of the VM.
- Now it only remains to give in Finish.
- From there, the operating system chosen in our virtualization will be executed if we click on Start so that we begin to enjoy it.
Depending on which system or version of it is chosen, it could request some type of auxiliary configuration.
With this you will be able to get more than one operating system on your computer or other very interesting options.
VirtualBox is one of the best virtual machine programs out there right now, which you already know better and know how to set up in its basic mode.
