VirtualBox, a free and open-source software product developed by Oracle Corporation, has transformed the world of virtualization.
Simple, yet powerful, it enables the user to run virtually any operating system on a single machine without rebooting. One of the popular choices among the many OS options you can install in VirtualBox is CentOS, a community-driven free Linux distribution that provides a robust platform for open source communities to build upon.
If you wish to integrate CentOS into your virtual environment, this guide will provide essential information on how to install this enterprise-grade, open-source platform on VirtualBox for seamless operation.
## Prerequisites
Before proceeding to the installation process, ensure that you have Oracle VM VirtualBox installed on your host operating system. Also, download the CentOS ISO file from the official website.
## Step-by-step Installation Guide
Here is a simple step-by-step guide on mastering VirtualBox by installing CentOS for seamless virtualization:
1. **Create a new virtual machine (VM):** Launch VirtualBox and click on the “New” button. Fill in a name for your VM, select the operating system type as Linux, and version as Red Hat (64-bit), since CentOS is derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Click “Next” to continue.
2. **Set Memory and CPU:** Allocate the desired RAM and CPU cores to your VM depending on the capability of your physical machine.
3. **Create a virtual hard disk:** The next step is to create a virtual hard disk for the guest machine. Select “Create a virtual hard disk now” and click “Create”. You can choose the hard disk file type as VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) for maximum compatibility and select a fixed or dynamically allocated size for it.
4. **Attach the CentOS ISO file**: Go to the settings of your newly created VM, navigate to the “Storage” tab and click on “Empty” under Controller: IDE. On the right side, click the disc icon and choose “Choose a disk file…”. Locate and select the CentOS ISO file you downloaded previously.
5. **Start the installation process:** Double-click on your new VM to start it. It will boot from the CentOS ISO file. Within the CentOS welcome screen, select “Install CentOS Linux” and follow the guided prompts.
6. **Configure the CentOS installation:** You will need to select the language, time zone, software selection (like a server or desktop), and installation destination (use the virtual drive you created). If you have specific needs, you can also customize the installation using the panel on the left.
7. **Finalize the installation:** Click “Begin Installation”. During this, create your root password and create a new user if required. After this, the installer will install the selected software and transfer the install image to your hard drive.
8. **Reboot:** After the installation is complete, click on “Reboot” inside the VM interface. Eject the ISO if prompted.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed CentOS in your VirtualBox.
Having a CentOS virtual machine in Virtualbox provides an excellent environment for testing and development without risking your system stability.
By understanding the installation process and correctly setting up your virtual environment, you are now one step closer to mastering virtualization with Virtualbox.
This process, while detailed, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the incredible possibilities that open up with utilizing CentOS on VirtualBox. Happy virtualizing!
