VirtualBox is an open source virtualization software package developed by Oracle. It allows users to run multiple guest operating systems on a single physical host computer. Some key features of VirtualBox include:
– Hardware virtualization support for improved performance (VirtualBox / Introduction)
– Support for a wide range of guest operating systems including Windows, Linux, BSD, Solaris, and others
– Snapshots to save the state of a virtual machine at any point in time
– Virtual networking capabilities including network address translation (NAT) and bridged networking
– Shared folders to easily share files between host and guest OS
– Remote desktop support to access and control VMs remotely
– Command line interaction and automation via VBoxManage
– Extensibility via plugins and software development kits (SDKs)
Guest Operating Systems
VirtualBox supports a wide variety of guest operating systems including Windows, Linux, macOS, and more. Some of the more common operating systems that can be run in VirtualBox include:
Windows: VirtualBox supports nearly all versions of Windows including Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and older versions like Windows 2000, NT, and 98 (source).
Linux: Many Linux distributions are supported including Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, openSUSE, Fedora, CentOS, Gentoo, Arch Linux, and more (source).
macOS: VirtualBox can run macOS versions 10.12 Sierra and newer as guest operating systems (source).
In addition to these common operating systems, VirtualBox also supports other Unix-like operating systems including Solaris, OpenSolaris, Oracle Solaris, OpenBSD, and FreeBSD. So a wide selection of desktop and server operating systems can run smoothly in VirtualBox virtual machines.
Older Operating Systems
VirtualBox can run older operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows 3.1, MS-DOS, and more according to the VirtualBox forums. However, there are some limitations. The further back you go, the more likely you’ll run into hardware compatibility issues. Very old operating systems may not have drivers for modern virtualized hardware. Performance and graphics support may also suffer.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to install integration tools and Guest Additions to improve performance and usability of legacy OSes. You may need to fine-tune virtual machine settings for optimal compatibility. Despite the challenges, VirtualBox can successfully virtualize operating systems going back decades when properly configured. Just temper your expectations for the capabilities of very old OSes.
Server Operating Systems
Server operating systems designed for running on servers, networks, and enterprise systems can also be run in VirtualBox. Some examples include:
Windows Server – Various versions of Microsoft’s server OS can run on VirtualBox including Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2003, and 2000. This allows you to test and develop applications for Windows Server environments without dedicated server hardware. (Emanuel Sousa)
Linux – Many Linux server distributions will work in VirtualBox such as Ubuntu Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Debian, and CentOS. This provides a way to develop and test Linux-based server apps and services.
BSD – Operating systems based on Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) like FreeBSD and OpenBSD can also be installed in VirtualBox.
Unsupported Operating Systems
While VirtualBox supports a wide variety of guest operating systems, there are some older and niche OSes that are not officially supported. Two examples of unsupported operating systems that may not run properly in VirtualBox include OS/2 and BeOS. Since VirtualBox relies on hardware virtualization features built into modern CPUs, operating systems designed for older hardware may run into issues and be marked as “unsupported hardware.” Attempting to install unsupported OSes in VirtualBox could result in crashes, poor performance, or failure to boot properly.
In general, niche operating systems with small user bases tend not to be officially supported in VirtualBox. The VirtualBox developers focus their efforts on compatibility with the most common operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS. Users interested in running exotic unsupported OSes should check forums and community sites first to understand if any unofficial patches or workarounds exist to improve compatibility.
Mobile Operating Systems
VirtualBox allows you to run mobile operating systems like Android and iOS in a virtual machine. This allows developers to test apps without needing physical devices for each mobile OS.
Android is one of the most popular mobile operating systems to run in VirtualBox. Google provides Android x86 images that can be installed in VirtualBox to create an Android VM. This allows you to run Android apps and tools directly on your computer. See this guide for instructions on installing Android in VirtualBox.
iOS is more challenging to run virtually due to Apple’s restrictions. There are some unofficial images like iDroid that can be installed in VirtualBox, but they have limited functionality. Performance and graphics support are also issues with virtualizing iOS. Still, it provides a way for developers to test iOS apps without access to Apple hardware.
Other Software
In addition to running complete operating systems, VirtualBox can also run other types of software without needing a full OS installed. This includes utility programs, games, applications, and other software. Some examples include:
– Benchmarking and diagnostics tools like FurMark and Prime95 for stress-testing the virtual hardware.1
– Data recovery and file browsing utilities that can access virtual drives.
– Games and apps designed for MS-DOS or that have standalone executables.
– Software for testing web browsers or cross-platform apps across multiple environments.
– Development and testing tools that require specific configurations.
The key benefit is that this software can be run in isolated environments without needing full operating systems. However, the options are still limited compared to having a complete OS installed.
VirtualBox Limits
VirtualBox does have some technical limitations in terms of the resources it can utilize on the host machine. This includes restrictions on RAM, CPU cores, video memory, and storage.
For RAM, VirtualBox allows guest VMs to use up to 128GB of RAM, according to the Virtualbox system requirements. The amount of RAM allocated to guests is limited by the amount of RAM on the host system. VirtualBox will not allow you to overcommit RAM.
VirtualBox virtual machines are also restricted in terms of how many CPU cores they can utilize. Each guest OS can be assigned up to 32 virtual CPUs. However, this will also depend on how many CPU cores your host hardware actually has available. Performance may suffer if too many virtual CPUs are assigned.
For video memory, VirtualBox allows up to 128MB of VRAM for guest machines. This video memory is virtualized and taken from the host’s system RAM, rather than utilizing the host’s actual graphics card and VRAM.
Finally, VirtualBox virutal disks have a maximum capacity of 2040GB. The virtual disks themselves are stored as files on the host machine, so the storage for guests is also limited by the real storage capacity on the host.
Performance Considerations
Virtual machines (VMs) running in VirtualBox can sometimes suffer from performance issues like slow response times or lag. There are a few things you can do to optimize and improve VM performance in VirtualBox:
Install Guest Additions – This is a set of drivers and tools that gets installed inside the VM to improve integration with VirtualBox. Installing Guest Additions can significantly boost graphics performance, mouse integration, and file sharing.https://www.programatium.com/compiling-virtualbox-guest-additions-a-step-by-step-guide/
Allocate more RAM – Increasing the amount of RAM allocated to the VM will allow it to run more processes and applications smoothly. But don’t over-allocate as it could impact performance of host machine.
Use multiple CPU cores – VirtualBox allows configuring multi-core CPU for VMs to distribute load for better performance. Benchmark to find the optimal number of cores.
Upgrade VirtualBox version – Newer versions include optimization and enhancements that can boost VM efficiency.
Defragment VM disk – A fragmented hard drive can slow down read/write time and access of applications. Occasional defragmentation helps.
Conclusion
In summary, VirtualBox offers a flexible and user-friendly virtualization solution for running various operating systems and software. Its capabilities include:
- Running older operating systems like Windows XP or Linux distributions that are no longer supported on new hardware.
- Testing server operating systems like Windows Server or Linux server editions within a virtual machine.
- Trying out experimental operating systems or new Linux distros in an isolated environment.
- Running software written for a different OS without dual-booting.
- Developing and testing applications across platforms.
- Adding an extra layer of security and isolation for online activities.
- Consolidating hardware resources by running multiple VMs on a single host system.
While performance is lower compared to native hardware, VirtualBox provides extensive virtualization capabilities for free. Its open source model allows community contributions to expand its feature set. Overall, VirtualBox is a versatile tool for developers, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts looking to virtualize a wide range of operating systems and software.