92. Installing debian in virtualbox -- in pictures

Here's a ridiculously detailed set of screengrabs of how to install debian in virtualbox. It ends with a five-point list of things to do post-install. My motivation was to create a sparse build environment which would help me hammer out depencies.

VIrtualbox can be handles completely in the terminal too:

http://www.linux-mag.com/id/7673/

In particular,  starting an existing machine:

me@beryllium:~$ VBoxManage startvm debian_barebone

Waiting for VM "debian_barebone" to power on...

VM "debian_barebone" has been successfully started.

Just make sure that you've opened up portforwarding for ssh:

VBoxManage modifyvm "debian_barebone" --natpf1 "guestssh,tcp,,2222,,22"

A very similar guide, but which shows the installation of LXDE is here: http://verahill.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/ecce-in-virtual-machine-step-by-step.html

Anyway: the graphical way:

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Setting up the virtual machine

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Name the vm and select os type and version

The amount of RAM you give the VM depends on what you will use it for.

Create a new harddisk

VDI is for virtualbox, VMDK is for VMWare

Dynamic will start small and grow as files are added.

A minimum of 3-4 GB is recommended, or apt cache might eat up all your space

And you're almost done.

Attach the debian install iso

USB is optional.

You can add a shared folder, but it's not necessary.

Don't touch this -- just make sure that the network adapter is enabled

Optional

Start the virtual machine, which will launch the installation.

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Installing debian

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The installation procedure is the same as on a 'real' computer.

Pick a language...

...a country...

...a keyboard layout...

...and let debian do a bit of preparation.

Choose a hostname. 

Normally leave domain blank.

Leave root password blank. This way sudo will be the default way of administration.

Leave blank.

Pick a name, any name.

Debian will suggest a user name based on the real name, but pick anything.

Pick a password. You'll have sudo access by default, so pick a good one.

Repeat your password

What about Melbourne/Victoria???

Normally Guided is a bad idea.

First you need to 'format' your harddrive

It won't touch your REAL harddrive, so relax

Create a partition -- we'll only create one linux partition, /

Create a new partition

Give it most of the space on your HDD, but not all

Primary is a good choice. Logical only acts as a container, and isn't necessary for  such a small setup.

Just go for the default settings.

Time to create a small swap, since we only gave our VM 256 Mb

Give the swap everything remaining

Primary again

Select Use as...

...SWAP

All is good

Make changes permanent

Write changes

Pick the generic kernel

...like so

Unless you do have another CD, don't bother

If you're connected to the net, go ahead and use a mirror

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First boot

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Things to do after installation:

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0. With your virtual machine turned off, on the (linux) host do
 VBoxManage modifyvm "debian_barebone" --natpf1 "guestssh,tcp,,2222,,22"
to allow you to ssh to your virtual debian installation using
ssh verahill@localhost -p 2222

Boot your virtual machine and
1. Remove the CD from the /etc/apt/sources.list

2. sudo updatedb to populate the locate database
3. sudo apt-get install bzip2 to avoid the i18n header error:

W: Failed to fetch copy:/var/lib/apt/lists/partial/server_pub_linux_debian_dists_wheezy_non-free_i18n_Translation-en  Encountered a section with no Package: header

3. sudo apt-get update

4. install ssh server: sudo apt-get install openssh-server

5. Install a graphical environment: See this guide
The shortest summary of that would be:
sudo apt-get install lxde
sudo shutdown -r now

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