VirtualBox virtual machines can be run without working with the GUI. See how to take advantage of the VBoxManage command to start, pause, and power down your VMs.
If you're using VirtualBox as a virtual machine (VM) server in your data center, chances are you're going to want to know how to run those VMs without having to rely on the VirtualBox GUI. This makes it much easier to run your VMs without having to be at the host machine (you can ssh into the host and then manage the VMs) or without having a number of GUI windows open to clutter your server desktops (or be readily available for prying eyes).
To make this happen, you'll use a very powerful command that comes with VirtualBox called VBoxManage; it allows you to manage a number of aspects of your VMs. I'll show how to use VBoxManage to start, stop, and pause your VMs. I assume you have VirtualBox installed, and your VMs are ready to run on the host machine.
SEE: Building the Software Defined Data Center (ZDNet/TechRepublic special feature)
Before you fire up a VM
If you go directly to the VBoxManage command and fire up a VM, you'll probably find that VM isn't reachable via network—this renders the VM worthless, especially if it is a server.
In order to get the networking of your headless VM up and running, you have to install the VirtualBox extension pack. Here's how.
Download the extension pack that matches your VirtualBox release.
Open the VirtualBox GUI.
Click File | Preferences.
Go to the Extensions section.
Click the downward-pointing arrow (Figure A).
Navigate to where you saved the Extension Pack and select the .vbox-extpack file.
Click Open.
When prompted, type your admin password for the host machine.
Click OK.
Figure A
Image: Jack Wallen
Installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack
You're ready to run your VMs, which will include the ability to
To make this happen, you'll use a very powerful command that comes with VirtualBox called VBoxManage; it allows you to manage a number of aspects of your VMs. I'll show how to use VBoxManage to start, stop, and pause your VMs. I assume you have VirtualBox installed, and your VMs are ready to run on the host machine.
SEE: Building the Software Defined Data Center (ZDNet/TechRepublic special feature)
Before you fire up a VM
If you go directly to the VBoxManage command and fire up a VM, you'll probably find that VM isn't reachable via network—this renders the VM worthless, especially if it is a server.
In order to get the networking of your headless VM up and running, you have to install the VirtualBox extension pack. Here's how.
Download the extension pack that matches your VirtualBox release.
Open the VirtualBox GUI.
Click File | Preferences.
Go to the Extensions section.
Click the downward-pointing arrow (Figure A).
Navigate to where you saved the Extension Pack and select the .vbox-extpack file.
Click Open.
When prompted, type your admin password for the host machine.
Click OK.
Figure A
Image: Jack Wallen
Installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack
You're ready to run your VMs, which will include the ability to
