Are you confused with heading of this post? Most of the users including me have doubt on server version of VirtualBox. Do you know what is VirtualBox server and where to download it? Let me explain what I know in this post, correct me if I’m wrong.
The truth is, no server version available like it, only desktop virtualization version available for multiple host and guest operating systems. You can use the same version on a centralized physical computer (it can be a server) and run virtual machines in headless mode which doesn’t show anything on host computer. So if you want to download VirtualBox server, then download it from official site here. ( Same version for Desktop)
Difference between VirtualBox Server and Desktop Version
It depends on how and why you are using it.
When you use at home or office for personal use and install OS on local disks, manage and view virtual machines physically in host computer through GUI (Graphical User Interface) as a single user , it can be called desktop version.
When VirtualBox installed on a server, guest Operating systems installed on NAS or iSCSI disks and all VMs started in headless mode where no output or indication of running VMs (virtual machines run like service in background without any GUI or outputs). Users will be accessing each virtual machines from their computer through remote desktop (RDP) software. Creating and managing virtual machines will be done through command prompt after connection established to VB installed host. These virtual machines can be moved to other hosts without downtime by VirtualBox teleportation which is called live migration. This set up can be called “Virtualbox Server”.
This VB server doesn’t work like VMware vSphere or hyper-v servers which can be installed as Operating Systems. VB should be installed on top of any supported OS.
See Also ( Recommended readings)
How to connect VB Virtual machines through RDP Client
How to test and do a teleportation – live migration in virtualbox
Advantages of VirtualBox Server
1) Virtual machines will be centralized.
2) Less resource utilization because of headless mode.
3) Suitable for server Operating Systems where desktop not available (core installation).
4) More secure than running GUI version.
5) Allow multiple users to access from their computers over the network, physical presence not required.
6) Teleportation/Live migration
Disadvantages
1) Suitable for advanced users for testing environment with more than one computer.
2) Lots of commands involved, you will hate it if you are a GUI lover.
If you think anything else can be added here, please share with us in comments area.
So, what do you think?
I will be publishing some posts on creating virtual machines in VirtualBox with commands, starting them and connecting from RDP clients. Stay tuned by subscribing to Sysprobs.com
VBox on a server than VBOX Server
It’s even greater when running phpVirtualBox Web GUI on such a “server” – then you can nearly call it a “server” and no command line typing needed
Do you remember Dinesh?
Hi Thomas,
I remember you and what you sent.
You will see a new article about it in this same ‘ VirtualBox Server’ series very soon.
Thanks for your comment.
@G,
Thanks again for your respond too.
Hi Sorry i have found you Block yust in this time
I know there was existing a Virtualbox Server version bevor Sun was buied by Oracel it was a patched version from Virtual Box with feature who used sun for his vdi 3.0 and 3.1 environment. The patches was fetures to handel easier athe VBOX with the VID components. and he was HA ready.
I dont know if this version from Virtual Box is in 2011 allso avealebel. But i think it is good to know tat there was existig a Spezial server version.
PS: Sorry for my poor english
regads Fabian
Server or desktop ??? Someone should prebuild some small fast linux distro with it – like tiny core linux slitaz or others to have all inclusive 32 bit hpervisor server with all the tools needed to sun virtual appliances ! Why ? Im sick and tired of reinventing hot water again and again on ever god damn computer ! People if you are not aware we living in 21st ! Why is linux community and philosofing around linux all abaut do it your self ! In windows do we have multi reinstal prhilosofy due ms doesnt secure win enough and win can be easly crippled – in linux do we have ”do it your self” philosofy ! How can one be produktive with such politics ? Discovering hot water again and again ! But not for enterprise versions ! Why do we must evrthing do it multiple times just the same thing ! This i would be understand if we have uniifed standarized installer in linux but there are multi diferent multi incompatible packages that are not compatible knowing as ”dependancy hell” from one to the other distro ! And now intall software if you can ! Not only that software for linux isnt compatible due its missing dependancy would not run or run with errors ! For instance take Tiny Core Linux/Slitaz – if you want something to instal that not exist in respository then you must convert it installing from binary is not possible ! And now prebuilt virtual mashine server os ! These two are designated to run vbox paralles wmware being so small fast and with support but prebuilt it is another question ! If i do it then with unbelivable luck this would work ! But we all know how linux stops user at every step for me this would take to much time and result is questinable ! I do not want to develop i want something do with it as being allredy done why not post prebuild installation iso cd with vbox and vbox tools like in proxmox manor ? Giving all others hard time and in case of no suckcess dumping linux as nothing like waist of time and no result ! This is rely hard to understand ! Instead all over the net howtos ! As i see such pages with such recepie my nerves goes sky high ! Even on Debian and ubuntu we do not have prebuilt instal cd ! If no solution then no use and one can philosofe abaut it to infinite and that is all that is is ! Sory but reinventig hot water is not my beer !