INSTALLING DEBIAN 12.1.0 and Guest Additions

SM1: Open-source Operating Systems

ASIX/DAW/DAM-1

Task A1: Initial installations and configuration of Virtualbox and Debian GNU/Linux

18-09-2023

Task A1: INITIAL INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION OF VIRTUALBOX AND DEBIAN GNU/LINUX

GENERAL CONDITIONS
Deadline DAW1: On 26-9-23 teacher will check that your operating system is working properly
Deadline ASIX1: On 28-9-23 teacher will check that your operating system is working properly

TASK

PART 1: BEFORE STARTING

What is an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is software that:
    * manages the computer hardware (CPU, RAM, Hard drives, peripheral devices)
    * manages applications (text editors, web browser games,.....) running on the computer
    * acts as a Interface between user and hardware and applications running on the computer
    * manages files and folders

For users, software developers and system administrators it would be extremely difficult to work with computers without the help of an operating system. Only people with broad knowlegde of electronics and programing would be able to work with computers without the help of an operating system.

Typical operating systems for laptops and desktops:
    * GNU/Linux
    * Microsoft Windos
    * MAC OS X

What is a Virtual Machine?
1- A Virtual Machine (VM) is
    * A virtual computer and it means that it uses virtual hardware.
    * A virtual computer is made of a set of files stored in a physical machine (also called "host" machine).
    * Virtual hardware are CPU, RAM, Drives, etc made of files stored in a host machine.
    * Virtual machines are also called "guest machines" of a "host machine".
    * Each virtual machine runs its own operating system and applications separately from the other VMs and the host machines. A virtual machine in fact is another computer running inside the host machine.
    * You can run different operating systems in different virtual machines running on a host machine. This means that, for example, a virtual MacOS virtual machine can run on a physical PC working with Linux.

2- A virtual machine, commonly shortened to just VM, is no different than any other physical computer like a laptop, smart phone, or server. It has a CPU, memory, disks to store your files, and can connect to the internet if needed. While the hardware that make up your physical computer is tangible (physical), virtual hardware (virtual hard drive, virtual ram memory, virtual network cards,.....) exist only as files stored in a physical hard drive or physical ram memory. Virtual hardware is not physical but it is as real as a physical hardware.

3- VMs can share resources from the host machine, including CPUs, network bandwidth, memory and disk space. For instance, if you are running a 8 core CPU/16GiB RAM/1TiB hard drive host machine and also, you are running a 2 core CPU/2GiB RAM/100GiB hard drive virtual machine then, your host machine can work only with the remaining 6 cores, 14GiB of RAM and 900GiB.

What are virtual machines used for?
Virtual machines (VMs) allow a business to:
    * run an operating system that behaves like a completely separate computer in an app window on a desktop.
    * run software that requires a different operating system
    * test applications in a safe and isolated environment.
    * Improve efficiency => Saving physical hard drive space, time and managements costs
    * Perform specific tasks considered too risky to carry out in a host environment, such as accessing virus-infected data or testing operating systems.
    * run multiples operating systems on a single physical computer
    * run legacy (old version) applications => Reducing migration to a new operating system costs
    * Easy management and maintenance of multiple operating syste

What is a virtual machine manager
    * It is a special kind of application whose porpouse is to work as user interface for managing (creating, modifying, removing, starting, stopping,..) virtual machines.
    * Popular virtual machine managers:
        - VirtualBox
        - VMWare Workstation Player

PART 2: INSTALLING VIRTUALBOX AND VIRTUAL BOX EXTENSION PACK

1- Hardware requirements: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/End-user_documentation

2- Download VirtualBox 7.0.10:

GNU/Linux hosts: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads
Windows hosts: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.10/VirtualBox-7.0.10-158379-Win.exe

3- Install VirtualBox:

GNU/Linux hosts:

User Manual: http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/UserManual.pdf
Page 43 --> Section 2.3.3 Performing the Installation

Windows hosts:

User Manual: http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/UserManual.pdf
Page 38 --> Section 2.1.2 Performing the Installation

4- Download and Install VirtualBox 7.0.10 Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack:

What is VirtualBox Extension Pack?: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch01.html#intro-installing
Download: https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.10/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-7.0.10.vbox-extpack
Install:

GNU/Linux hosts: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/install-virtualbox-extension-pack
Windows hosts: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/install-virtualbox-extension-pack

5- VirtualBox Language: File -> Preferences -> Language -> English(built-in)

PART 3: INSTALLING DEBIAN 12.1.0 AND VIRTUALBOX GUEST ADDITIONS STEP BY STEP

3.1- INSTALLATING DEBIAN 12.1.0

0- Before starting: Check that you are working with VirtualBox 7.0.10 and VirtualBox 7.0.10 Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack

1- Download the installation image of Debian 12.1.0 called debian-12.1.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso from this link (you can find the image at the bottom).

2- Create a new virtual machine with te following specifications:

Name and operating system:

Name: debian12.1
Type: Linux
Version: Debian (64-bit)

Memory size:

Memory: 2048MB

Hard Disk:

Select --> Create a virtual hard disk now

Hard disk file type (if required):

Select --> VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)

Storage on physical hard disk (if required):

Select --> Dynamically allocated

File Location and size:

Size of the virtual hard disk: 20GB

3- Additional configuration parameters:

System --> Processor --> Enable PAE/NX
System --> Motherboard --> Boot Order:

1st device: Optical. Enabled (checked)
2nd device: Hard Disk. Enabled (checked)
3rd device: Network. Disabled (unchecked)
4th device: Floppy. Disabled (unchecked)

Audio --> Disable Audio
Network:

Enable Network Adapter.
Attached to: NAT

Storage:

1st step: Storage Devices --> Controller IDE --> Select Empty
2nd step: Attributes --> Click on the small DVD icon --> Select "Choose Virtual Optical Disk File..." --> Find and Select debian-12.1.0-amd64-DVD-1.iso

USB:

Enable USB Controller
USB 3.0 (xHCI) Controller (only available if you have previously installed VirtualBox Extension pack)

4- Start your newly created virtual machine.

5- Select Graphical Install

6- Select a language: English.

7- Select your location: Other --> Europe --> Andorra or Spain.

8- Configure locales: United States - en_US.UTF-8.

9- Keymap to use: Catalan or Spanish

10- Configure the network:

Hostname: inf1-xxyyzz, where xx=two first letters of your name, yy=two first letters of your first surname and zz=two first letters of your second surname (For instance, the hostname for somebody called Jaume Pons Martínez would be inf1-japoma).
Domain name: fjeclot.net.

11- Set up users and passwords:

Root password: fjeclot
Full name for the new user: Write xxyyzz, where xx=two first letters of your name, yy=two first letters of your first surname and zz=two first letters of your second surname (For instance, the username for somebody called Enric Pons Giménez would be enpogi).
Username for your account: Write xxyyzz, where xx=two first letters of your name, yy=two first letters of your first surname and zz=two first letters of your second surname (For instance, the username for somebody called Enric Pons Giménez would be enpogi).
Password for the new user: clotfje

12- Partition disks --> Guided-use entire disk

13- Select SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) - 21.5 GB ATA VBOX HARDDISK (Don't worry if the number showed by the system is not 1).

14- Select All files in one partition (recommended for new users).

15- Select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk.

16- Answer Yes to the question Write the changes to disk?

17- Now, the base system will be installed in your host. It takes a few minutes to complete this task. Take it easy!!!.

18- Configure the package manager --> Answer No to the question Scan extra installation media?

19- Configure the package manager --> Answer Yes to the question Use a network mirror? and select the following mirror: United States --> deb.debian.org.

20- HTTP proxy information: None (blank). Do not write anything.

21- Now, your package manager (a software required to download and install programs on Debian GNU/Linux) will be configured. Afterwards, a first group of important software packages will be downloaded from the server and installed in your computer. It takes a few minutes to complete this task. Take it easy!!!.

22- Answer No to the question made by the system in the window Configuring popularity-conquest.

23- In Software selection select :

Debian desktop environment
...GNOME
...MATE
web server
SSH server
Standard system utilities

Now, part of the selected software will be downloaded and installed. It could take a few minutes to complete this task (it depends on your internet connection and features of your laptop). Take it easy!!!.

24- Select gdm3 as a default display manager. Now, the rest of the selected software will be downloaded and installed. It could take several minutes to complete this task. Take it easy!!!.

25- Answer Yes to the question Install the GRUB boot loader to your primary drive?.

26- Select /dev/sda at the next section.

27- Now, the installation is complete. Reboot your system. Afterwards:

Select the first option in the GRUB menu (*Debian GNU/Linux).
Select your username.
Click on the gear icon at the bottom right corner
Select MATE as your desktop.
Write your password and press Enter

If everything works properly, the selected desktop appears.

28- Check your Internet connection: Select Applications --> Internet --> Firefox and surf the net with Firefox.

29- Power off your system in the right way. Select System --> Shut Down --> Shut Down.

3.2- INSTALLING VIRTUALBOX GUEST ADDITIONS ON DEBIAN GNU/Linux 11.5.0

0- Before starting -> What are VirtualBox Guest Additions?

The Guest Additions are designed to be installed inside a virtual machine after the guest operating system has been installed. They consist of device drivers and system applications that optimize the guest operating system for better performance and usability.
The Guest Additions offer the following features:

Mouse pointer integration
Shared folders
Better video support
Time synchronization with the host machine
Shared clipboard
Also provide: Seamless windows, Generic host/guest communication channels and Automated logins

For further information: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/ch04.html#guestadd-intro

1- Boot your virtual computer: Select debian12.1 and press Start. Afterwards, log in with your user account.

2- Open a terminal: Select Applications --> System Tools --> MATE Terminal.

3- Become the root user running su - . Write the root user password.

4- Gain access to the directory /etc/apt running on your terminal: cd /etc/apt

5- With the help of the nano text editor we are going to change a file called sources.list:

Run on your terminal: nano sources.list
Add # before any line starting with deb cdrom.
Save sources.list (press <ctrl + o> and <enter>).
Leave the nano text editor (press <ctrl + x>)

6- Update the list of sofware packages available of you repository server. Run on your terminal: apt-get update

7- Install the command line package manager called aptitude. Run on your terminal: apt-get install aptitude

8- Install the following software packages: gcc, make,build-essential, dkms, module-assistant and linux-headers-6.1.0-11-amd64. Run on your terminal:

aptitude install gcc make build-essential dkms module-assistant linux-headers-6.1.0-11-amd64

It takes a few minutes to complete this task.Take it easy!!!.

9- Select the Devices menu --> Insert Guest Additions CD image and:

If a new window automatically appears where you can select among several options, select Do Nothing.

If nothing appears, run the following command: mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom0

10- Run the command: /bin/bash /media/cdrom0/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

11- Close the MATE Terminal.

12- Shutdown your system in the right way. Select System --> Shut Down --> Shutdown.

13- Eject the VBoxGuestAdditions.iso cdrom image:

1st step: Select Storage --> Storage Devices --> Controller IDE --> VBoxGuestAdditions.iso
2nd step: Select Attributes --> Click on the small DVD icon --> Select Remove Disk from VirtualDrive

13- Boot (Start) Debian GNU/Linux. Gain access to your Desktop.

14- Resize your window and your Desktop with the help of your mouse.

15- Power off your system in the right way. Select System --> Shut Down --> Shut Down.

3.3- ADD NEW REPOSITORIES TO YOUR PACKAGE MANAGER

0- Before starting:

A software package contains all of the files required to install or unistall programs on Debian GNU/Linux

A package manager keeps track of what software is installed on your computer, and allows you to easily install new software, upgrade software to newer versions, or remove software that you previously installed. The job of a package manager is to present an interface which assists the user in managing the collection of packages installed on his or her system.

A software repository is a storage location for software packages. An external hard drive, a DVD/CDROM or a Shared Folder in a computer (repository server) in the LAN or Internet could be a software repository. Debian GNU/Linux have many mirrors (an image or clone of a main repository server) around the world. Usually, a computer downloads software packages from a software repository with the help of package manager. The package manager will install the software package in the systeme as well.

aptitude is a package manager and it reads the list of software repositories or "sources" from the file /etc/apt/source.list.

Update and upgrade --> https://linuxconfig.org/apt-update-vs-apt-upgrade

1- As a root user, change /etc/apt/sources.list in order to add the contrib and non-free repository addresses (or sources). Adding these new repositories allows the system to gain access to some extra useful software packages. The new sources.list file should have the following contents:

After changing the contents of /etc/apt/sources.list, run: aptitude update

2- Install a useful GUI text editor called Geany on your system. Just follow the next steps as a root user: aptitude install geany

3- Install the arial font (and another useful fonts). Run: aptitude install ttf-mscorefonts-installer

It takes a few minutes to complete this task.Take it easy!!!.

4- Install MATE Tweak. Run: aptitude install mate-tweak

4- Logout as root. Run: exit

5- Show the Trash bin and Computer icons on your Desktop:
a) Select System --> Control Center --> Look and Feel --> MATE Tweak. Enable Trash and Computer.
b) Check that Trash bin and Computer appear on your Desktop.

6- Start the LibreOffice Writer text editor: Applications --> Office --> LibreOffice Writer. Check that the arial font is now available.

3.4- ATTACH A physical USB DRIVE TO DEBIAN GNU/Linux

1- Start a terminal (MATE Terminal) and using the su - command, become the root user.

2- Provide your user with the proper permissions to work with shared folders by running the command:

gpasswd -a xxyyzz vboxsf

where xxyyzz is the user created by you during the installation process of Debian GNU/Linux.

3- Log out as root. Afterwards, Close the terminal window properly and log out as standard user from your desktop. Finally, gain access to your desktop again.

4- Plug your USB drive into your laptop.

5- Attach and open a USB drive into your virtual machine: Click on the "USB settings.." icon at the bottom right corner of your virtual machine and select your USB drive. Automatically a folder showing the contents of your USB drive will appear.

3.5- SHARING FOLDERS BETWEEN THE HOST (PHYSICAL) MACHINE AND THE VIRTUAL MACHINE

1- Shutdown your virtual computer.

2- Create a new folder, called sharing, inside the folder VirtualBox VMs of your host operating system. Create a new empty file called inf1_xxyyzz.txt inside the folder sharing of your host operating system. Remember: xx=two first letters of your name, yy=two first letters of your first surname and zz=two first letters of your second surname.

3- On VirtualBox Manager, select your virtual machine and, afterwards, select Shared folders.

4- Select Machine Folders and click on the small blue rectangle with a green cross at the right side of the window. A window will appear with a form to add a new shared folder. Add a new one with the following features:
    a) Folder Path: Look for sharing on your system and select it.
    b) Folder Name --> sharing
    c) Select Auto-mount
    d) Mount point --> Do no write anything

5- Boot your virtual machine.

6- Select and open the sf_sharing folder on your Desktop. Check that the file inf1_xxyyzz.txt created in step 2 appears. Copy the file on the Desktop of your virtual machine.

PART 4: CHECKING YOUR SYSTEM

1- Your system boots and you can gain access to your system.

2- Username. If your user does not have the proper username, we will not accept your system and your mark will be zero.

3- Host name. If your machine does not have the proper hostname, we will not accept your system and your mark will be zero.

4- Yo can surf the internet with the help of your browser.

5- You can resize you virtual system.

6- Geany has been installed on your system

7- The arial font has been installed on your system

8- Show the Trash bin and Computer icons on your Desktop

9- Show the contents of a USB drive on Debian GNU/Linux

10- Show the contents of sharing on Debian GNU/Linux