Assignment 6.1 Install Linux in A Virtual Machine and Explore The GUI
Assignment 6.1 Install Linux in A Virtual Machine and Explore The GUI
Objectives
Part 1: Prepare a Computer for Virtualization
Part 2: Install a Linux OS on the Virtual Machine
Part 3: Explore the GUI
Background / Scenario
Computing power and resources have increased tremendously over the last 10 years. A benefit of multi-core
processors and large amounts of RAM is the ability to install multiple operating systems through the use of
virtualization on a computer.
With virtualization, one or more virtual computers can operate inside one physical computer. Virtual
computers that run within physical computers are called virtual machines. Virtual machines are often called
guests, and physical computers are often called hosts. Anyone with a modern computer and operating system
can run virtual machines.
In this lab, you will install a Linux OS in a virtual machine using a desktop virtualization application, such as
VirtualBox. After completing the installation, you will explore the GUI interface. You will also explore the
command line interface using this virtual machine in a lab later in this course.
Required Resources
Computer with a minimum of 2 GB of RAM and 10 GB of free disk space
High-speed Internet access to download Oracle VirtualBox and Linux OS image, such as Ubuntu Desktop
Instructions
Part 1: Prepare a Computer for Virtualization
In Part 1, you will download and install desktop virtualization software and a Linux OS image. Your instructor
may provide you with a Linux OS image.
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Lab – Install Linux in a Virtual Machine and Explore the GUI
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Lab – Install Linux in a Virtual Machine and Explore the GUI
Note: If you are not connected to the Internet, you can continue to install and enable the network later.
c. Because this Ubuntu installation is in a virtual machine, it is safe to erase the disk and install Ubuntu
without affecting the host computer. Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu. Otherwise installing Ubuntu
on a physical computer would erase all data on the disk and replace the existing operating system with
Ubuntu. Click Install Now to start the installation.
d. Click Continue to erase the disk and install Ubuntu.
e. In the Who are you? screen, provide your name and choose a password. Use iteuser for Your Name
and ITEpass! for the password. You can use the username generated or enter a different username. If
desired, you can change the other settings. Click Continue.
f. The Ubuntu OS is now installing in the virtual machine. This will take several minutes. When the
Installation is complete message displays, return to the Oracle VM Virtualbox Manager window. Right-
click Ubuntu and select Settings. In the Ubuntu – Settings window, click Storage in the left pane. Click
the mounted Ubuntu image in the middle pane. In the right pane, click the CD symbol and click Remove
Disk from Virtual Drive. Click OK to continue.
g. In the Ubuntu VM, click Restart Now.
c. Click Run to install the additions. When prompted for a password, use the same password that you used
to log on. Click Authenticate to continue.
d. If the computer was not connected to the Internet during the installation, click Devices > Network
Settings in the Oracle VirtualBox menu. Enable network adapters and configure the proper setting for
network connections as necessary. Click OK.
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Lab – Install Linux in a Virtual Machine and Explore the GUI
e. When the installation of the additions is done, restart the virtual machine again. Click the menu in the
upper-right corner and click Shut down. Click Restart to restart Ubuntu.
Reflection Question
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a virtual machine?
Virtual machines have the advantage of allowing multiple operating systems to run concurrently
on a single physical machine. This feature also allows for cost savings, independent memory
allocation, improved security through isolation, effective resource sharing, easy deployment and
scaling, and compatibility with older applications running on newer systems. Though beneficial,
using virtualization has drawbacks as well. These include compatibility problems during
migration, possible performance overhead from additional resources, limitations based on the
hardware of the host computer, complexity in setup and management, security risks if not
properly isolated, potential costs for software licenses, and the possibility of a single point of
failure in the event that the host computer has problems.f Document
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