howto:create_a_nethserver_virtualbox_instance [NethServer Wiki]

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=====How-To: Create a NethServer instance in VirtualBox machine=====
And how to set up network connection between Host PC and NethServer Virtual Box

**Version:** V1.0

**Skill:** General audience.

**Published:** 2015-11-15

**Contact:** NethServer community forum


----------


====Description====

This tutorial will help you to install NethServer into a virtual box machine (VBox).\\ 
Also, it will cover how to configure networking in virtual box that will allow communication between host PC and virtual box machine.


A video of this tutorial is available here:  https://youtu.be/3H1eu5bxIEs
{{youtube>3H1eu5bxIEs?medium}}


\\ 
\\ 


**Conventions used in this HOW-TO:**

[**Name**] – It means that on the screen, you should see a button with that label and apply the actions to that button.

**Name/Label** – It means that a window or a field is labeled that way and you should apply your action onto that field or in that specific window

//Option x// – Means that you have to chose option X from more options or option fields.

“command x y” - Means that you have to type exactly the command within the quotes (without the quotes! just the command). 
This will also be used when exact values should be used Ex: like passwords or usernames.

**NOTE:** - usually more information on that subject will be provided or information related to the step that you are currently reading. It is useful to take into account the information provided.

----------

====Pre-requisities:====

 - Host PC with Windows, Linux, MacOSX
 - NethServer ISO File – downloaded on the host machine

   If you do not already have it download it from: http://www.nethserver.org/getting-started-with-nethserver 

 - Virtual Box installed on the host machine (for the OS that you use)

   If you do not have Virtual box download it for Windows / MacOS from: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads 

 - Virtual Box for Linux you can install it with: 

Redhat/CentOS/Fedora based :
<code> sudo yum install virtualbox-5.0 virtualbox-nonfree </code>

OR

Debian/Ubuntu/Linux Mint based : 
<code> sudo apt-get install virtualbox-5.0 virtualbox-nonfree </code>


//Optional:// Internet connection is not mandatory if you plan to work offline (some steps will not apply to your setup if you do not have Internet access)




====1. Creating a new VBox machine====



Open Virtual Box Manager

Click [**New**]

In the **Name** field insert desired name for the new virtual machine

In the **Type** select field choose option: *Linux* 

In the **Version** select field choose option: *Linux 2.6 / 3.x / 4.x (64-bit)*


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Click [**Next**]

In the **Memory size** window modify the amount of memory to your requirements (we allocate 2048 MB as minimum). \\ 
This value can be modified later from **Settings** page of the VBox machine.

{{:howto:2.png?500|}}


Click [**Next**]

In the **Hard disk** window choose option: *Create a virtual hard disk now*.

**NOTE:** Since this is the first time we create a virtual machine, we cannot select the option: *Use an existing virtual hard disk file*.\\  
This option is useful if we already have the hard drive file from another VBox machine or backup.

{{:howto:3.png?500|}}


Click [**Create**]

In the **Hard disk file type** window leave the default option – //VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)//.

**NOTE:** You can choose another option if you are planning to move the hard drive image file to another visualization platform like VmWare or Open Stack.

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Click [**Next**]

In the **Storage** on physical hard disk window choose option: Fixed size.

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Click [**Next**]


===== ALTERNATIVE OPTION for HDD image type =====

You can select the option *Dynamically allocated* if you want to save space.

This option will report to the Guest (VBox) OS that it has for example a 20 GB HDD attached to it, but the HDD image file will be less, And will grow only when you add files in that virtual OS.

**NOTE:** The maximum HDD space that the image can have is the initially declared space. The image can't grow more than that size. 

Eample: if you specified 20 GB initially, and your initial occupied space is 3 GB it will grow to maximum 20 GB!


In the **File location and size** window we have the possibility to specify where our HDD image will be stored on the host computer \\ 
(it can also be stored on a network drive). 

We can modify the name we want the image file to have, if we don't like the generated name. 

Also, we can specify the size of the HDD image file.

**NOTE:** The amount allocated to the HDD image file depends on the purpose of your VBox machine (we allocate 8 GB; this is more than enough for a standard installation).

Virtual machine can have more than one HDD image file attached.

{{:howto:6.png?500|}}


Click [**Create**]

Wait for the image file to be generated.

After the process completes you will see your newly created VBox machine in the VBox Manager window.



===== 2. Settings for the VBox machine =====



Select your VBox machine and then click [**Settings**]

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In the **General** section you can modify the **Name**, **Type** and **Version** of the virtual OS.\\ 
You can also add a description for this machine that will allow you to differentiate it from the others, if you have more machines.

{{:howto:8.png?500|}}

In the **Storage** section we can modify the settings for storage attached to this machine.

First we setup the virtual CD-Rom drive.\\ 
Click on the disk icon labeled Empty, under the IDE controller.\\ 
On the right side of the window we can choose how the virtual CD-Rom will behave. \\ 
We can attach it directly to the Host PC CD-ROM drive, or we can specify it to load an ISO file. \\ 

In our case, we will tell the virtual CD-Rom drive to load the //NethServer 6.7-x86_64.iso//

This will allow our VBox machine to boot from CD.

{{:howto:9.png?500|}}

In the **Network** section we configure the Network Adapters for the VBox machine. \\ 
In our case we will have two network adapters. 

The first one *Adapter 1* will be bridged to the host PC.\\  
This interface will behave like it is connected directly to the same switch as our host PC and will be **eth0** in NethServer.\\ 

{{:howto:10.png?500|}}

The second adapter *Adapter 2* will be used in an internal network only that will exist just between host PC and VBox machine.

{{:howto:11.png?500|}}

**Configuration for the first adapter:**

In the **Attached to:** choose option: //Bridged Adapter//.\\ 
Click on **Advanced** to unhide the extra settings. \\ 

Take note of the value in the MAC address field. This will be **eth0** in NethServer.\\

**Configuration for the second adapter:**

Click [**Enable Network Adapter**] option. \\
In the **Attached to:** choose option: //Internal network// (we select this option for now and we will change it later).\\ 
Click on **Advanced** to unhide the extra settings. 

{{:howto:12.png?500|}}

Take note of the value in the MAC address field. This will be eth1 in NethServer. \\
We will need this value in the next steps to identify the adapter as LAN (green). \\

Click [**OK**] to finish.

We have finished the setup of the VBox machine.



===== 3. Installing NethServer into the VBox machine =====



Select your machine and then click [**Start**].

{{:howto:13.png?500|}}

You will see another window where your VBox machine is booting.

The NethServer boot menu appears. Press [**ENTER**] or wait for the time out to finish, to start the interactive installation.

{{:howto:14.png?500|}}

After a few moments Anaconda will present you the options to choose the language for the installer. \\
Navigate through the options with [**TAB**] key and activate the options with [**ENTER**] key. \\


{{:howto:15.png?500|}}

Click [**Next**]

On next the screen you will be asked to choose the network interface for LAN (green). \\
Select the interface that has the MAC address we have seen in the Vbox Settings as  *Network Adapter 2*. (usually this is eth1). \\

Use cursor keys to go UP or Down with the selection cursor and then pres [**TAB**] to go to the [**Next**] button.

{{:howto:16.png?500|}}

Click [**Next**]

In the next screen you will be presented with network configuration for **eth1**. \\
We can accept the default values or you can modify them as needed. \\

**NOTE:** If you modify the network address or subnet and other values, please take note of that values since they will be needed in the next steps!

{{:howto:17.png?500|}}

Click [**Next**]

The next screen is the last configuration screen. \\
You will see the information regarding the root password \\
 
Default password is: “//Nethesis,1234//”. 

Also you will be notified that all data on the hdd will be lost if you press [**Install**]. \\
Since we have an empty HDD we can proceed without any problems.


{{:howto:18.png?500|}}

Click [**Install**]



===== 4. The graphical installation progress =====



After the last setup screen from anaconda, the installer switches to graphical mode to let you see the operations performed, installation of software packages and the settings applied.

There's not much that you can do here, just watch in case something goes wrong.

After the installer finishes installing the boot-loader, the system will reboot.


{{:howto:19.png?500|}}


==== 5. First initial configuration ====



After the machine reboots you will see the message: *Running the initial configuration.*

At the end of that task you will be presented with the login prompt. \\
We will login with user “root” and password “Nethesis,1234”. \\

{{:howto:20.png?500|}}

After you have logged in, let's check the current VBox network configuration.

Type:\\ 
<code> ifconfig </code>
 
and press [**ENTER**].

For now you will only see **eth1** and **lo** configured. \\ 
Check that the **eth1** has the correct configuration of IP and Netmask.

{{:howto:21.png?500|}}

Switch back to your desktop and open a terminal / command prompt. 

**Note:** If you are on Linux, press [**ALT**] + [**F2**] and then type:
 
<code>mate-terminal </code> or <code> xterm </code>

If you are on Windows, press [**Win**] + [**R**] and then type:

<code> CMD </code>

and press [**ENTER**]

Now, let's see if we can reach the NethServer VBox machine from our desktop.\\ 
In the new terminal/CMD window type: 

<code> ping 192.168.1.1  </code> 

press [**ENTER**]

**NOTE:** to stop the ping command press [**CTRL**]+[**C**].

You will see that the ping command fails. It is not able to reach the NethServer Lan interface.


{{:howto:22.png?500|}}


**NOTE:** If you have set another IP address for **eth1** in the setup stage please replace the *192.168.1.1* in the example, with the address you used.

**Example:**

<code> ping custom_IP_address_of_NethServer_lan  </code>

Let's check the network configuration on our host machine.

Type: 

in Linux:

<code>ifconfig </code> 

Or in Windows:

<code>ipconfig </code> 

depending of your OS platform.

You should see the network configuration details. \\
Notice that there is no adapter that will permit connection between the two machines (Host PC and Vbox).


{{:howto:23.png?500|}}


We will fix this in the next step.



==== 5.1 Configure the Host and Vbox machines to be in the same internal network ====



Go to your Vbox machine window and click on the **File** menu, select the **Preferences** option.

A new window will appear named “**VirtualBox – Preferences**”.


{{:howto:24.png?500|}}


On the left menu select the **Network** section.


{{:howto:25.png?500|}}


On the right side of the window select the: **Host-only Networks** tab. \\
It should be empty since no internal network is defined for now. 

To add a new network, click on the icon with a **green plus sign** located on the right side of the window.


{{:howto:26.png?500|}}


After clicking you will see a new network appears in the list “*vboxnet0*”.\\ 
This internal virtual network exists only between the host PC and the Vbox machine.

**TIP:** You can later use this *vboxnet0* to connect other Vbox machines you will create, to the NethServer Vbox machine eth1 and it will act as a virtual LAN.

After the *vboxnet0* has been created, we need to set it up. 

To alter the settings of the **vboxnet0**, click on the icon with a **light-blue screwdriver**, also located on the right side of the screen.


{{:howto:27.png?500|}}


A new window will appear named “**Host-only Network Details**”.

The first tab is the **Adapter** tab. In here we alter the settings for the virtual adapter that will be assigned to the Host PC.\\ 
In the **IPv4 Address** field modify the value of the ip address to match the same class/network as the value of the NethServer Lan IP address.\\ 
We will assign the IP: 192.168.1.10 for our Host PC.


{{:howto:28.png?500|}}


**NOTE:** Also if you made changes to the Network Mask in the setup stage, alter that value to match your values.\\
Leave the IPv6 fields not filled since we will not use IPv6.

Click on the **DHCP Server** tab.\\ 
Verify that the DHCP is turned **off**. If it is not, then un-check the Enable Server option.


{{:howto:29.png?500|}}


Click [**OK**] to apply the settings.

You will see a progress window that will confirm that the settings are applied.

Next, we need to alter the NethServer Vbox machine Network settings.

Click on the **Devices** menu and then select Network option.

In the sub-menu select the **Network Settings** option.


{{:howto:30.png?500|}}


The **Settings** window for our Vbox machine appears.

We have the first adapter **Adapter 1** presented to us.\\  
We just check that the correct settings are applied and in effect.\\ 
We need to have eth0 connected directly to the network card of our Host PC. 

The **Attached to:** selection should be “*Bridged Adapter*”. \\
The **Name** should be “*eth0*” \\ 
We confirm that the settings are still the same as before for **Adapter 1**.
 


{{:howto:31.png?500|}}


Click the **Adapter 2** tab.\\ 
We will need to modify the settings for the second adapter.\\ 
In the **Attached to:**  select *Host-only Adapter*.\\ 
You will see that the **Name:** field has automatically selected *vboxnet0*. Since it is the only network available in the system.


{{:howto:32.png?500|}}


Click [**OK**] and wait for the settings to be applied.

After the settings are applied we check that everything is as we want.

Go to NethServer VBox 

Type:

<code>  ping 192.168.1.10  </code>
 
and press [**ENTER**] to test that we can reach the Host PC.

You should see replies from that ping.

<code>
64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.899 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=0.199 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.10: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=0.186 ms
…
</code>


{{:howto:33.png?500|}}


Next go to the terminal / command prompt on your desktop and check that we have the virtual adapter added to the Host PC system.

Type: 
For Linux:

<code> ifconfig </code> 

For Windows:

<code> ipconfig </code>

and press [**ENTER**]


You should see another adapter added.

The new adapter should be named: *vboxnet0*. \\
The settings for IP and Netmask should match the ones that we have set up in the Virtual Box Preferences window. 

{{:howto:34.png?500|}}

Let's test now that the Host PC can reach the NethServer Vbox machine.

Type: 

<code> ping 192.168.1.1 </code>

and press [**ENTER**] to test that we can reach the VBox machine.\\
You should see replies from that ping.

<code>
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=64 time=0.209 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=64 time=0.189 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=3 ttl=64 time=0.286 ms
…
</code>


{{:howto:35.png?500|}}


We now have connectivity both ways between Host PC ↔ VBox Machine.


===== 6. Accessing the Nethserver VBox machine from the Host PC browser =====


After we have successfully set up the connection between the two machines we can access the Nethserver web-admin interface. \\
For this, open a browser from your desktop and type:

HTTPS://192.168.1.1:980

You should see a warning about the certificate of the webserver. 
Ignore that warning for now and continue.


{{:howto:36.png?500|}}


**NOTE:** It is ok to ignore that warning for now, since it is generated by the certificate presented not having the correct hostname set up in it and does not correspond with the hostname of the server that is presenting the certificate.

If you will use the Nethserver as a production server it is mandatory that you set up the certificate according to your settings!


Login to the Nethserver with the user “*root*” and password “*Nethsesis,1234*”


{{:howto:37.png?500|}}


The initial configuration will be presented and you will have to enter the settings to be able to continue (New password, hostname, date/time, SSH, Usage statistics).


{{:howto:38.png?500|}}


After the initial settings have been applied you will be presented with a screen that has the network connections presented.

Select the **Edit** option for the **eth0** interface (it is in grey for now).


{{:howto:39.png?500|}}


In the next screen you will be presented with the options for that interface.


In the **Role** field chose option *Internet (red)*.\\
Select **DHCP** as option to get IP.\\
Confirm that the **eth0** MAC address is the correct one.\\


{{:howto:40.png?500|}}


Click [**SUBMIT**] and wait for the settings to be applied.

You should now see the **eth0** adapter in red.


{{:howto:41.png?500|}}


**NOTE:**  This settings depend on your network environment! 

If your physical LAN to which the Host PC is connected, gets the IP's via //DHCP//, then the Vbox machine eth0 adapter, will also obtain the IP from your DHCP server. 

Otherwise, if your physical LAN uses manually specified IP address for your machines, you will have to keep the //Static// option checked, and enter the values that you want.
 
Those values should be in the same range as the ones for your Host PC but NOT identical!



===== 7. Check that all the network settings are OK and internet is available =====



Click the [**Dashboard**] option on the left menu.

You should now see the NethServer Dasboard and everything should be **Ok**. 

In the Interfaces widget you should see the correct settings.


{{:howto:42.png?500|}}


Go to your NethServer VBox window. The shell should still be opened.

Let's check that the NethServer is able to reach the internet.

Type:

<code> ping www.yahoo.com </code> 

press [**ENTER**]

**NOTE:** You can use Yahoo or some other internet address that you know it's up).\\ 
You should see replies from the server:

<code>
64 bytes from ir1.fp.vip.ir2.yahoo.com:  (IP_ADDRES) icmp_seq=1 ttl=56 time=10.209 ms
64 bytes from ir1.fp.vip.ir2.yahoo.com:  (IP_ADDRES) icmp_seq=2 ttl=56 time=6.129 ms
64 bytes from ir1.fp.vip.ir2.yahoo.com:  (IP_ADDRES) icmp_seq=3 ttl=56 time=6.120 ms
…
</code>


{{:howto:43.png?500|}}


With this we now have connectivity to internet from our NethServer Virtual Box machine.


===== 8. We have finished our installation =====


Go to the NethServer web interface and select the [**Shutdown**] from the left menu and select *Reboot* option.

Click [**SHUDOWN THE SYSTEM**]

This will Reboot the server and we will do a final check to see that the settings remain the same and do not change over reboots.

Wait for the system to reboot and then check the NethServer's Dashboard. \\
Everything should be ok, as expected. 


**Congratulations!** 
You now have a fully working NethServer installation.

We are finished with our installation and you should now go on and configure your NethServer or configure it for //Development//.

For //Development// please read our **Dev Station How-To** (*available soon*).


===== 9. References =====


For further and more in depth reading follow this links:

Nethserver documentation: http://docs.nethserver.org/en/latest/

Virtual Box documentation: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Documentation

Virtual Box downloads: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
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