Page Last Updated: 2024 March 06

Notes on VirtualBox and Debian Setup

Installing / Updating:

VirtualBox: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Make sure to grab the Extension Pack, too!

Debian: Download the latest stable (For 64-bit computers, get the amd64.  For 32-bit, i386.)

Just grab the .iso for DVD1. It should have everything you need, and anything else can be pulled down from inside Debian.

Getting Started:

  • Install Virtualbox, along with its extension pack, and then open it.
    • Select New, Give it a name, Select Linux, Other Linux 64-bit. (Other Linux 64 has much better performance than Debian option. WTF?)
      • Make sure to choose Other Linux 32-bit, if you’re using a 32-bit machine.
    • Default RAM is ok, but I like 2GB. (I’ve got a 16GB machine.) (Let’s say 1/4 RAM as guideline for cap, but always leave at least 1GB for host OS.)
    • Create a virtual HD is fine on defaults, but you do have the option to choose formats that might work with Parallels or VMWare.
    • Size choice is down to preference.
      • I usually choose ‘dynamic,’ but I have an SSD so speed is less of a problem.
      • That said, there’s a speed hit on dynamic. So, if you don’t have an SSD, or you feel the need to eke out every yoctosecond (10-24), choose fixed.
    • Size limit is 8GB by default. I expanded to 12GB. Go for at least 8.

Setting up the VirtualBox environment

  • Single-click your new Linux install in Virtualbox, and then click Settings.
  • Add a processor at some point (Settings / System / Processor) - Let’s say “half” available, with two at a minimum.
  • Add video memory (Settings / Display) if planning to use GUI (max it)
  • Check in (Settings / network / advanced settings) to ensure you are using the Paravirtualized Network (virtio-net) otherwise VirtualBox will be emulating the hardware, which makes both molasses and turtles seem speedy.
  • Click OK once you’re done with making changes to Settings.

Setting up Debian

  • Single-click select your Linux machine in Virtualbox, and click Start.
  • On select virtual HD, browse for the Debian iso, then press start.
  • Choose Install for the traditional method (that’s what I’ll follow here.)
    • Pick your language (I’ll be proceeding in English) Note: Pressing enter during this process will automatically choose and advance. If a screen has multiple options, use space to toggle
    • Set your location
    • Set your keyboard
    • Set a hostname. For this course, I’m choosing “dhsi” (N.B. Ignore the quotation marks in this instruction sheet, unless I tell you not to.)
    • For your domain, you can leave it blank (if it’s a workstation and not a server). For this course, I’m choosing “dhsi.dev” (We’ll set that up later…)
    • Now, the root user. You should use a password manager to generate a strong password. However, in this course, every password is “dhsi” (Shh, don’t tell anyone…)
      • After root, create a user called “dhsi” with a password “dhsi”
    • Pick a time zone
    • For the disk partition, we’ll use the “Guided - use entire disk” option. If you want disk encryption, it’s “Guided - use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM.” Keep it simple, for now, and we’ll talk.
      • Choose the only disk available. ;)
      • All files in one partition.
      • Finish and write changes. (It’ll ask you to confirm. Do so.)
    • No need to scan another CD or DVD, so choose “no.”
    • Yes, use a mirror for packages. Pick whatever’s closest to you. (At home, I use MIT’s csail)
      • No need for a proxy.
    • The survey is up to you. It’s anonymous (for reals), and just indicates what packages are used on what kind of hardware.
    • Use space on the services page: Add GNOME (if you desire a graphical desktop, you can run without, but it’s easier for our class), remove Printer, add ssh server, hit enter
    • Install the GRUB boot loader.
      • Choose /dev/sda
    • Hit continue

Your first boot

  • Login to your desktop
  • Click activities, and type “terminal” into the search box. (I like to right-click it and add to favorites for easy access later.)
    • Open a terminal
      • If you’re like me, you like a dark theme. (Edit / Preferences / Use dark theme variant)

Ok, now…

Making VirtualBox Less Ugly

  • Type ‘su’ and give the root password to become root.
  • Let’s fix a small thing that could be annoying once we delete / remove that installer .iso
    • Type ‘nano /etc/apt/sources.list’ and hit enter
    • At the start of the line that begins “deb cdrom” insert a ‘#’ so it reads ‘#deb cdrom’
    • Press (ctrl + x) and then ‘y’ and enter to save and exit.
  • Ok, now let’s get ready to make things less ugly by running this: apt-get install build-essential module-assistant
    • Confirm and watch many lines appear from the aether.
  • Still as root: m-a prepare
    • Confirm and see even more lines scroll by at ludicrous speed!
  • Now, in Virtualbox, click Devices > Install Guest Additions in virtualbox window to mount the guest addition image. (Mounts to /media/cdrom0)
    • Choose ‘Cancel’ when a box pops up in GNOME.
  • Back in the terminal, run ‘sh /media/cdrom0/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run’ (If this won’t work, Reboot, because VirtualBox reasons, and then try again.)

Now, reboot (in terminal: ‘reboot’, or click the triangle in the top right of GNOME and choose ‘Restart’ from the power icon.)

  • Hopefully enjoy a nicer desktop. (Just drag the virtualbox window to resize it. The desktop should fill the available space.)