Install Ubuntu in a Virtual Machine

Understanding Virtual Machines and Ubuntu

Virtual machines (VMs) are an excellent way to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. They act as emulators, providing an isolated environment for the guest OS. Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, is known for its user-friendliness and robust performance. Installing Ubuntu on a VM can be a great way to experiment with Linux, develop cross-platform software, or run server applications in a controlled environment.

Choosing the Right Virtualization Software

Before installing Ubuntu, you need to select the right virtualization software. There are several options available, each with its own set of features and performance characteristics.

VirtualBox: An open-source virtualization product from Oracle that’s free and widely used for desktop virtualization.
VMware Workstation: A professional-grade virtualization software that offers a more robust feature set, suitable for enterprise environments.
VMware Player: A free version of VMware’s virtualization software, though with fewer features than Workstation.
Hyper-V: A virtualization feature built into Windows, available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Each of these platforms has its own installation and configuration process, but the general principles of setting up a VM are similar across all of them.

Downloading Ubuntu ISO File

The first step in installing Ubuntu in a VM is to download the Ubuntu ISO file from the official Ubuntu website. This ISO file is a disk image that contains the entire Ubuntu operating system. You can choose between the LTS (Long Term Support) version, which is more stable and receives updates for five years, or the latest release, which includes the newest features.

Setting Up a New Virtual Machine

Once you have your virtualization software installed and the Ubuntu ISO downloaded, you can proceed to create a new virtual machine.

VirtualBox Setup

For VirtualBox, the process involves the following steps:

Open VirtualBox and click on “New” to create a new virtual machine.
Enter a name for your VM, select “Linux” as the type, and “Ubuntu” as the version.
Allocate memory (RAM) to the VM. A minimum of 2GB is recommended for Ubuntu.
Create a virtual hard disk where Ubuntu will be installed. A minimum of 10GB is recommended.
Select the hard disk file type. VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) is the default and recommended.
Choose whether the storage on the physical hard disk should be allocated dynamically or fixed size.
Locate the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier and mount it as a virtual CD/DVD disk.
Finalize the VM creation by clicking “Create”.

VMware Workstation Setup

For VMware Workstation, the steps are similar:

Launch VMware Workstation and choose “Create a New Virtual Machine”.
Select “Custom (advanced)” for more configuration options or “Typical” for a guided setup.
Choose to install the operating system later.
Select “Linux” as the guest operating system and “Ubuntu” as the version.
Assign a name and location for the VM on your host system.
Specify the number of processors and amount of memory. Again, 2GB or more is recommended for Ubuntu.
Create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one. A minimum of 10GB is recommended for Ubuntu.
Choose the disk type (SCSI, SATA, or IDE). SCSI is typically recommended for Linux VMs.
Specify the disk capacity and whether to store it as a single file or multiple files.
Before finishing the setup, customize the hardware to mount the Ubuntu ISO file to the virtual CD/DVD drive.
Complete the VM creation process.

Installing Ubuntu on the Virtual Machine

With the VM set up and the ISO mounted, you can now power on the VM and begin the Ubuntu installation process.

Installation Steps

The Ubuntu installer is user-friendly and will guide you through the process:

Start the VM. It should boot from the ISO file and present you with the Ubuntu installation menu.
Select “Install Ubuntu” from the menu.
Choose your language and keyboard layout.
Connect to a Wi-Fi network if available, though this step can be skipped and configured later.
Select “Normal installation” for a full set of features or “Minimal installation” for a leaner setup.
Choose whether to download updates and install third-party software for graphics, Wi-Fi hardware, and media formats.
When prompted for installation type, select “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” since this is a VM and not a physical machine.
Confirm the disk changes and proceed with the installation.
Set your time zone by selecting a city in your region.
Create a user account by providing your name, computer’s name, username, and a strong password. You can also choose to encrypt your home folder for added security.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take some time depending on your system’s performance.
Once the installation is finished, you’ll be prompted to restart the VM. The virtual CD/DVD should automatically unmount.
Log in with the user account you created during installation.

Congratulations! You now have a fully functional Ubuntu virtual machine.

Configuring Ubuntu VM for Optimal Performance

After installation, there are a few tweaks you can make to ensure your Ubuntu VM runs smoothly.

Installing Guest Additions or VMware Tools

For VirtualBox, installing Guest Additions provides better integration with the host system, including improved graphics, shared clipboard, and drag-and-drop functionality. VMware has a similar tool called VMware Tools.

In VirtualBox, with the VM running, click on “Devices” in the VM menu and select “Insert Guest Additions CD image…”. Follow the on-screen instructions to install.
In VMware, with the VM running, click on “VM” in the menu and select “Install VMware Tools…”. Follow the on-screen prompts to install.

Adjusting Display Settings

To improve the visual experience, adjust the display settings within Ubuntu to match your preferences. This can include screen resolution, scaling, and multi-monitor setups if supported by your virtualization software.

Enabling Shared Folders

Both VirtualBox and VMware allow you to share folders between the host and guest OS. This can be set up in the VM settings under the “Shared Folders” section. You’ll need to specify the path on the host and the mount point in the VM.

Using Ubuntu VM for Development and Testing

Ubuntu VMs are particularly useful for software development and testing. They provide a sandbox environment where you can install tools, run servers, and test applications without affecting your host system.

Developers can install IDEs like Eclipse, Visual Studio Code, or JetBrains products directly on Ubuntu.
Web developers can set up LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) or MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js) stacks for web application development.
Testers can use tools like Selenium or Jenkins for automated testing and continuous integration.

FAQ Section

Can I run Ubuntu VM on any operating system?

Yes, you can run Ubuntu VM on most operating systems as long as the virtualization software you choose is compatible with your host OS.

Is it legal to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine?

Yes, it is legal to install Ubuntu on a virtual machine. Ubuntu is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

How much disk space and memory do I need for an Ubuntu VM?

A minimum of 10GB disk space and 2GB memory is recommended for a comfortable experience, but more may be required depending on your usage.

Can I access files from my host system in the Ubuntu VM?

Yes, you can access files from your host system by setting up shared folders between the host and the VM.

Is it possible to run Ubuntu VM in full screen?

Yes, after installing Guest Additions (VirtualBox) or VMware Tools (VMware), you can run Ubuntu VM in full screen mode.

References

Ubuntu Official Website: https://ubuntu.com/download
VirtualBox Official Website: https://www.virtualbox.org/
VMware Workstation Product Page: https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-pro.html
GNU General Public License (GPL): https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html