Virtual box is a free, opensource Hypervisor, it allows you to run one operating system within another one. This post will detail how to install CentOS, an open source operating system in Virtual Box.
To successfully follow this tutorial you will need to download and install Virtualbox. You will also need to download the 32 bit live CD of CentOS.
Virtual box can be downloaded from their download page https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and the CentOS live os can be downloaded from their download page http://isoredirect.centos.org/centos/6/isos/i386/
Once you have these two prerequisite steps completed you can start the tutorial below:
Part 1 – Creating the Virtual Machine
- Begin by opening VirtualBox, and click on new.
2. In the window that appears:
a. Type in CentOS.
b. Select Linux.
c. Select version 32 bit Red Hat.
3. Leave the memory size at the recommended and click next.
4. Select create a virtual hard disk now and click create.
5. Select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and click next.
6. Select dynamically allocated and click next.
7. Leave the disk name as CentOS, the disk size as 8GB and click next.
Part Two – Mount the CentOS Live CD
1. You should now be returned to the VirtualBox main screen, and you should see your Virtual machine. Next you need to mount the CentOs ISO to install CentOs. Click on the CentOs Virtual Machine and then click settings.
2. Click Storage
3. Select Empty, and then select the CD icon and then click ‘choose Virtual Optical Disk File’.
4. Navigate to and select the CentOs ISO which you have downloaded. Select it and click open.
5.Click OK.
Part 3 – Install CentOs.
1.We can now start the CentOs virtual machine by clicking on it and then clicking start.
2. The Virtual Machine will boot into a live image of CentOs. Double click on install to disk.
3. Click Next.
4. Select Language and Click next.
5. Select basic storage device and select next.
6. Select discard any data.
7. Leave the hostname as default.
8. Select your time zone and click OK.
9. Enter a root password and click next.
10. Select ‘Use All Space’ and click next
11. Select write changes to disk.
12. CentoS will now install.
13. Once CentOs is installed you can click close.
14.Click system and Shut Down.
Part Four: Clean up
1. Now click the Centos Virtual Machine and click settings.
2.Click Storage.
3.Now select the CentOs ISO ,click the CD icon and select remove disk from virtual drive, then click OK.
4. Now start the Virtual Machine.
5. Move through the final steps which include setting up your user name and password. Once this is done you should see the log in screen.
Congratulations, you have just completed the installation of CentOs on a Virtual Machine.
