• Registered: 2009-05-28
  • Posts: 244

Topic: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

This might seem a strange idea, but I'm considering configuring a machine to be a minimal possible install, that merely runs virtualbox, or rather, several virtualboxen.

My idea is that each virtualbox instance would be somewhat like the current virtual tty consoles in most distros, each running full screen, and switchable with a key combination or something similar.

This is a little like Xen, or the VMware ESX I suppose, except as far as I understand those are targeted more at server applications, they require CPU VT support, and don't do graphics so well.
This would be for the desktop, even for a portable USB drive, and I'm thinking using linux as the bare-metal layer provides some degree of abstraction and protection, and makes the VB guests easier to config.

Is there anything out, there?  Does it even seem sensible?  My rationale I suppose, amongst many, is to be able to use mutiple OS on the same machine, but without the all-important base-layer getting corrupted by being used as a user-OS.  Also to separate my OS environments from the hardware, maybe making them USB-portable.

I guess such a beast would need to run X, and have some kind of simple window manager with virtual desktop support, perhaps some of tiling ones like awesome, wmii, etc would be best?

Otherwise almost nothing apart from requisites, and a few file utilities.

Last edited by jackbang (2011-02-08 12:39:23)

  • Registered: 2009-05-28
  • Posts: 244

Re: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

I'm running #! in virtualbox on a mac at the moment, and it's running beautifully, much much snappier than ubuntu.
However, I get a sneaking suspicion that there's still a load of cruft that I don't need, because I only have to deal with virtualbox drivers, not a real machine.
Where should I start?

Conversely, I'd like to use #! as the base for virtualbox in another project, which will only run virtualbox, and so I have no need of browsers, little X apps like xcalc, xeyes, and all that rubbish (in fact I don't want any of that rubbish in any distro).  How minimal can I go?

Last edited by jackbang (2011-02-25 04:27:31)

  • luc
  • #! Die-hard
  • Offline
  • From: Munich, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-03-21
  • Posts: 560

Re: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

why do you not start the other way round. If minimal is your key desire you can start with a debian net install (without a DE or WM) only X. then you just do a "apt-get virtualbox" and see what it pulls in. that would be the way I'd go to get the smallest system running VB.
luc

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 116

Re: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

Maybe you find a Virtualization lower to your hardware in the other stuff from Oracle, called Oracle VM:

http://www.oracle.com/us/technologies/v … index.html

Have a nice day!

Regards

Last edited by hochrappenkopf (2011-02-25 07:06:45)

"If you can dream it, you can do it!" [Walt Disney]
  • Digit
  • #! Die-hard
  • Offline
  • From: the internet
  • Registered: 2009-05-26
  • Posts: 703

Re: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

yeah, nice idea.  i like the specifics.

i tried this a while ago... albeit far less fleshed out an idea than yours.  i used "jeos", as a starting base, so it'd be as minimal as i could get it, and still have an ubuntu base.   it was an idea quickly scrapped in the midst of many other more pressing projects and constant distro surfing.

educate yourself so you may educate others.DeNoob&UnBloat PCs!
the only free webhosting i use.
say "NO!" to a chemical lobotomy in your food
flattr me, thnx

Digit's Website

  • From: California, USA
  • Registered: 2008-11-29
  • Posts: 8,647

Re: config or distro solely to run virtualbox

@Digit - if you wanted an Ubuntu base, why not just use their mini ISOs?

Note: ** Please read before posting **

BTW if you wish to contact me, send me an e-mail instead of a PM.