Comments on: VirtualBox’s Little Secret: The Command Line http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/ Open Source, Open Standards Sat, 05 Oct 2013 13:48:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: mathi http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-983139 mathi Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:19:54 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-983139 Thanks for the useful introduction. For starting a FreeDos boot cd the /usr/bin/VBoxManage startvm FreeDos_1.1 command didn't work and gave the (for a VirtualBox beginner like me quite obscure) message: VBoxManage: error: The virtual machine 'FreeDos_1.1' has terminated unexpectedly during startup with exit code 0 VBoxManage: error: Details: code NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005), component Machine, interface IMachine This was fixed by changing the startvm instruction to: VBoxManage startvm FreeDos_1.1 --type headless Now to try and see what's happening on the VM... Thanks for the useful introduction.

For starting a FreeDos boot cd the

/usr/bin/VBoxManage startvm FreeDos_1.1

command didn’t work and gave the (for a VirtualBox beginner like me quite obscure) message:

VBoxManage: error: The virtual machine ‘FreeDos_1.1′ has terminated unexpectedly during startup with exit code 0
VBoxManage: error: Details: code NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0×80004005), component Machine, interface IMachine

This was fixed by changing the startvm instruction to:

VBoxManage startvm FreeDos_1.1 –type headless

Now to try and see what’s happening on the VM…

]]> By: Tery http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-720407 Tery Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:31:06 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-720407 For those nutt-balls out there that are just as "touched in the head" as I am, it's a great tool for OS-Dev. I am using the CLI to automate creating a new image for changes to the kernel. It's way too tedious to create a new image through the GUI everytime as more-often than not, the changes to the kernel has to be tweaked after testing it on the VM. Plus, I don't really like trying to develop my OS INSIDE of my OS so those of you thinking "So why not just implement a gcc compiler and code-editor on the OS as a first step to speed up changes", nice concept, frustrating to work with ;D For those nutt-balls out there that are just as “touched in the head” as I am, it’s a great tool for OS-Dev. I am using the CLI to automate creating a new image for changes to the kernel.

It’s way too tedious to create a new image through the GUI everytime as more-often than not, the changes to the kernel has to be tweaked after testing it on the VM.

Plus, I don’t really like trying to develop my OS INSIDE of my OS so those of you thinking “So why not just implement a gcc compiler and code-editor on the OS as a first step to speed up changes”, nice concept, frustrating to work with ;D

]]> By: jmcarman http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-718627 jmcarman Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:44:55 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-718627 As would I. I'm currently in the process of trying to port a backup/restore script (found as a sticky at jasoncarman.wordpress.com) from it's current Fedora 16/17 with KVM over to Mint using VirtualBox. I'm currently attending college for Network Administration & Networking, and find myself using virtual machines often. As would I. I’m currently in the process of trying to port a backup/restore script (found as a sticky at jasoncarman.wordpress.com) from it’s current Fedora 16/17 with KVM over to Mint using VirtualBox. I’m currently attending college for Network Administration & Networking, and find myself using virtual machines often.

]]> By: user1 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-283201 user1 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:00:18 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-283201 Thank you!! Really good info and easy to understand. I have been looking for this page for the last 3 hours. Thank you!! Really good info and easy to understand. I have been looking for this page for the last 3 hours.

]]> By: ptor http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-254003 ptor Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:48:48 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-254003 Sure, here's my explanation: I've just been installing an Ubuntu 12 VM on a server running Ubuntu 12. The physical host is headless and will run in a rack somewhere with no monitor or keyboard. I'd prefer it to have no GUI installed, and I don't want to have to fire up remotely displayed X windows applications in order to manage the VM. All the management will be done over an ssh shell session remotely. My question then is: "How do I install, control, and service VM strictly from the command line?" For me, this is the simpler way, one that scales and can be accessed from anywhere. Sure, here’s my explanation:

I’ve just been installing an Ubuntu 12 VM on a server running Ubuntu 12. The physical host is headless and will run in a rack somewhere with no monitor or keyboard. I’d prefer it to have no GUI installed, and I don’t want to have to fire up remotely displayed X windows applications in order to manage the VM.

All the management will be done over an ssh shell session remotely. My question then is: “How do I install, control, and service VM strictly from the command line?”

For me, this is the simpler way, one that scales and can be accessed from anywhere.

]]> By: Tarcas http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-245837 Tarcas Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:53:58 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-245837 You'll want to check out this page from the VBox manual: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch07.html the VRDP port defaults to 3389, but you could change it to 3390. It looks like if you do that, and vmserver is your host (not guest) then what you suggest may work. You’ll want to check out this page from the VBox manual: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch07.html
the VRDP port defaults to 3389, but you could change it to 3390. It looks like if you do that, and vmserver is your host (not guest) then what you suggest may work.

]]> By: Hemmes http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-245211 Hemmes Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:54:38 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-245211 Unfortunately the blog fails to mention the "Headless" VM method. Allowing you to launch you VM from, say, an SSH session. This is extremely helpful when I want to RDP to my Window 7 Pro VM from a remote location. As tbuskey states: "Get a list of available VMs: VBoxManage list vms Start one of the VMs w/o starting a gui VboxHeadless -s VMname & Run your web server inside a headless VM. Or an SSH server, etc." Unfortunately the blog fails to mention the “Headless” VM method. Allowing you to launch you VM from, say, an SSH session. This is extremely helpful when I want to RDP to my Window 7 Pro VM from a remote location.

As tbuskey states:
“Get a list of available VMs:
VBoxManage list vms

Start one of the VMs w/o starting a gui
VboxHeadless -s VMname &

Run your web server inside a headless VM. Or an SSH server, etc.”

]]> By: Ron http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-207537 Ron Thu, 03 May 2012 06:28:30 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-207537 The beauty of VBox and similarly designed s/w is that you can use *both* the GUI *and* the CLI. Clicky-drool for some tasks (all if you're a newbie) and CLI for other tasks. The CLI *rocks* for automating repetitive tasks. Want to re-encode only AVI files larger than 500MB? Sure you could click 8,000 times. With 200 clicks, though, you could write a "for" loop with embedded "if" statements to do it all while running overnight. The beauty of VBox and similarly designed s/w is that you can use *both* the GUI *and* the CLI. Clicky-drool for some tasks (all if you’re a newbie) and CLI for other tasks.

The CLI *rocks* for automating repetitive tasks. Want to re-encode only AVI files larger than 500MB? Sure you could click 8,000 times. With 200 clicks, though, you could write a “for” loop with embedded “if” statements to do it all while running overnight.

]]> By: Larry Johnson http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-181827 Larry Johnson Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:17:52 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-181827 I would like to hear more about backing up or cloning via the command-line vm's. Is there a way to make a backup (or clone) a running vm without shutting it down? I would like to hear more about backing up or cloning via the command-line vm’s. Is there a way to make a backup (or clone) a running vm without shutting it down?

]]> By: hootsuite clone http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-117533 hootsuite clone Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:40:05 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-117533 I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i'm satisfied to convey that I've a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make certain to don?t omit this web site and provides it a glance regularly. I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i’m satisfied to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make certain to don?t omit this web site and provides it a glance regularly.

]]> By: Igna http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-48587 Igna Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:09:48 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-48587 I have a question. It's awesome to have a CLI option instead of using a GUI, since all the servers I administer doesn't have GUI's (I prefer it that way -it's easier) My question is, RDP is disabled by default in Windows 7 so will this command: "rdesktop -a 16 -g 800×600 vmserver:3390" allow me to logon to the VM's monitor instead of directly connecting to the OS's RDP protocol? Does this question make sense? I have a question.

It’s awesome to have a CLI option instead of using a GUI, since all the servers I administer doesn’t have GUI’s (I prefer it that way -it’s easier)

My question is, RDP is disabled by default in Windows 7 so will this command: “rdesktop -a 16 -g 800×600 vmserver:3390″ allow me to logon to the VM’s monitor instead of directly connecting to the OS’s RDP protocol?

Does this question make sense?

]]> By: Nadeesh http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-17179 Nadeesh Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:30:35 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-17179 booyaka.......... booyaka............. <a href="http://wrestlezone.nadeeshlive.com" rel="nofollow"> Wrestle Zone </a> booyaka………. booyaka………….
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]]> By: antiya http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-17143 antiya Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:03:47 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-17143 monawath terenne na.................... monawath terenne na………………..

]]> By: viralnexxus http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7682 viralnexxus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7682 <p>Excellent tidbit! This is yet another reason I enjoy using VirtualBox over VMWare. Lately I\'ve been in this whole \"CLI\" only mood, so this is perfect for me. ;) GJ, and keep `em coming...<br /> Cheers,<br /> -VB </p> Excellent tidbit! This is yet another reason I enjoy using VirtualBox over VMWare. Lately I\’ve been in this whole \”CLI\” only mood, so this is perfect for me. ;) GJ, and keep `em coming…
Cheers,
-VB

]]> By: severian37 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7683 severian37 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7683 <p>I started using this last year to run development VMs with VirtualBox. It\'s a great feature for a great piece of software. </p> I started using this last year to run development VMs with VirtualBox. It\’s a great feature for a great piece of software.

]]> By: tbuskey http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7684 tbuskey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7684 <p>Get a list of available VMs:<br /> VBoxManage list vms</p> <p>Start one of the VMs w/o starting a gui<br /> VboxHeadless -s VMname &</p> <p>Run your web server inside a headless VM. Or an SSH server, etc. </p> Get a list of available VMs:
VBoxManage list vms

Start one of the VMs w/o starting a gui
VboxHeadless -s VMname &

Run your web server inside a headless VM. Or an SSH server, etc.

]]> By: ddelv http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7685 ddelv Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7685 <p>Sorry, I don\'t get it. What \'power\' have you demonstrated using the CLI over the GUI? So far as I can tell, everything you showed us works as well, and is much much easier to do, using the GUI. Am I missing something?<br /> Thanks for pointing out VirtualBox, though! </p> Sorry, I don\’t get it. What \’power\’ have you demonstrated using the CLI over the GUI? So far as I can tell, everything you showed us works as well, and is much much easier to do, using the GUI. Am I missing something?
Thanks for pointing out VirtualBox, though!

]]> By: meesterarend http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7686 meesterarend Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7686 <p>Actually there are some power in the cli that\'s not in the gui, some settings are hidden away, or even, sometimes you even have a server to which your only access is via ssh and cli and no gui, over a 56k modem :), so yes while the author did not reach the wow effect, he did demonstrate that cli can be used to do everything the gui does and more, when putting everything in a script, you can actually start doing very impressive stuff. </p> Actually there are some power in the cli that\’s not in the gui, some settings are hidden away, or even, sometimes you even have a server to which your only access is via ssh and cli and no gui, over a 56k modem :), so yes while the author did not reach the wow effect, he did demonstrate that cli can be used to do everything the gui does and more, when putting everything in a script, you can actually start doing very impressive stuff.

]]> By: khess http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7687 khess Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7687 <p>The power comes in from being able to use a single command to circumvent all those mouse clicks. The CLI also offers scripted automation. The other point is that GUIs are often \'broken\' for many of the more elegant features. </p> The power comes in from being able to use a single command to circumvent all those mouse clicks. The CLI also offers scripted automation. The other point is that GUIs are often \’broken\’ for many of the more elegant features.

]]> By: tbuskey http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7688 tbuskey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/#comment-7688 <p>I can run VBoxHeadless and then log out. The VM keeps running.<br /> If I start a VM with the GUI and quit the GUI, the VM stops running.</p> <p>With the CLI, I can have VMs start as soon as a reboot finishes. I could even have them gracefully suspend during a shutdown.</p> <p>Potentially, this could give me most of what VMware ESX does without the costs. </p> I can run VBoxHeadless and then log out. The VM keeps running.
If I start a VM with the GUI and quit the GUI, the VM stops running.

With the CLI, I can have VMs start as soon as a reboot finishes. I could even have them gracefully suspend during a shutdown.

Potentially, this could give me most of what VMware ESX does without the costs.

]]>