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VirtualBox is an x86 virtualization software package, originally created by German software company innotek, now developed by Sun Microsystems as part of its Sun xVM virtualization platform. This mini-HOWTO will guide you though VirtualBox 2.1.0 installation on Debian Lenny/sid.

As Sun Microsystem already release Virtual 2.1.2 with number of bug fixes, please refer to my upgrade procedure for more information.

Prepare your Debian Lenny

For sure that you should have your Debian box install with Lenny (if you have any question, please refer to my simple Debian Lenny installation guideline). Moreover, you should have a complete X desktop installed, e.g.

Choose the "Desktop environment" and "manual package selection". Check if any package missed, and get the GNOME install.

Install VirtualBox 2.1.0

VirtualBox provide some official guideline for Debian-based Linux installation. I will just mention some critical points.

Prepare your /etc/apt/sources.list and add the following line:

Import the PGP key with:

Finally, install your VirtualBox 2.1.0:

Start your VirtualBox within X

Up to now your VirtualBox should install correctly. You can start its GUI with the following command within your GNOME:

The license agreement page will prompt up, and you are asked to provide your contact email, too. After that, VirtualBox's main GUI is out:

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Create your first VirtualBox client

Press the "New" button to start the virtual client installation wizard:

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You will be asked for the name of client, its OS type, and size of memory:

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For harddisk that is a bit tricky. We should press the "New" button, follow the instructions, create the new virtual harddisk, and use it for our new virtual client:

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Confirm all basic setup and press "Finish":

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Can we start now? Hmm... Not really yet, we should give some tweak before install the new guest OS:

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So finally... You can start the guest now and install OS for it :D

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