Review: Sun VirtualBox 3 on Snow Leopard

Sun released an updated version of their free desktop virtualization solution in the recent past.  Naturally it is a worthwhile system and must be put through the paces before a decision can be made on if ‘FREE’ works.  I downloaded a copy for MAC OS X and installed it on a Mac Book Pro that is running Snow Leopard (Beta).  I figured this would be the best test bed for this software and the results were quite amazing. For the purposes of this review I installed Windows 7 Release Candidate x64.  The specs of the Macbook Pro are a 2.8ghz processor with 4gb ram and a 128gb SSD.

The semi-detailed install process and screen-shots are below.  Feel free to scroll down if you are not interested in the review portion.

REVIEW:

I am no stranger to virtualization and thus I enjoy testing the various platforms that are available.  I have reviewed VMWare Fusion, Sun Virtualbox (V2.x), and Parallels Desktop in the past and decided to test this new VBOX version when it was released.  The installation process and capabilities are pretty much similar to the older version.  To make it more interesting, I decided that I would use this on top of Snow Leopard on my Macbook Pro.  The VirtualBox install was perfect and without issue.  I began the process of creating a new Virtual Machine (steps below).  For the purposes of my testing I used Windows 7 x64 Release Candidate and set the VM to 2gb ram, 128mb video ram, a 20gb dynamically expanding hard disk, and two processors.

Once the machine was created I simply asked VBox to mount and use the Windows 7 ISO file so the install would be faster.  The VM started and I was on my way with the Windows 7 installer…..but wait a PROBLEM.  Windows 7 came up and basically alerted me to the fact that no CD/DVD drivers were available and thus the installer could not continue.  WHAT to do?

MAC’s have been having issues booting from Windows DVD’s ever since Microsoft Updated their EFI boot code, which is coincidentally incompatible with the EFI boot code that Apple uses.  This was not an issue when installing Windows OS’ via an ISO under Leopard but it seems to be the case in Snow Leopard.  The fix is easy  but takes a bit of time…and you must use a modified ISO and or a burned DVD (instructions here).

Finally we are off and installing Windows, which is truly a painless process once everything works as intended.  After about 15 minutes the OS was up and running and asking for the common information Windows requires with any new installation (computer name, user name, time zone, key, etc).  Voila..the os is running and first things first, I installed the Sun Virtual Box add-ons which give you enhanced functionality with the mouse and display (just like all virtualization products).  Great…everything is fine thus far including the sound, which was a hassle in the prior version.  Reboot the VM after the add-ons and everything seems to be running fine.  I then proceeded to install Office 2007, Microsoft Security Essentials, and finally do the handful of updates.

Sun VirtualBox v3.x seems to have finally caught up with the commercial products and is running Windows 7 x64 flawlessly.  I did get a blue screen here or there but I attribute that to the fact that my host and my guest operating systems are both BETA/RC.  I do not feel this reflects badly on the Virtual Box product.  My previous review of VB was a big negative because I had to play around with drivers to get something as simple as audio to work.  However, there are no issues at the moment and I am fully confident that this FREE solution is a viable contender in the virtualization space.  Please do let me know if there if you have any questions and or comments via the comments system….I look forward to a hearty discussion.

Without further delay (read: banter), here are the steps I followed with screen-shots at the bottom of the post.

Phase 1:

1. Download/Install Sun Virtual Box
2. Start the application and begin to create a new Virtual Machine
3. Give the machine a name and select the OS Type and Version
4. Select the amount of RAM you wish to allocate
5. Create a new hard disk for the VM (A file that you save on your system)

Phase 2:

Once the VM has been created you should go into its settings where you can adjust the following:

• Ram
• Processors
• Boot Order
• VT-x/AMD-V Extensions
• Paging
• Video Memory
• 3D Acceleration
• Remote Display Server
• Hard Disks
• CD/DVD-ROM – Physical or ISO
• Floppy Drive
• Audio Drivers
• and Many other settings..which I will let you discover on your own.

After you are satisfied with your choices you simply hit the start button and your VM should start up…if you have an ISO/CD mounted then it will boot up from the same and start your operating systems installer.  (For this review I used Windows 7 x64 Release Candidate.)
Once the OS installation has completed you should go to the ‘Machine Menu’ and install the VirtualBox Add-ons that enable better video and mouse control, etc.  Your install is now complete and you can continue to customize your guest OS.

The screen-shots below are of the first 4 screens; they are here simply to provide you with the look/feel aspect of VirtualBox.  Naturally the entire process would require many more screen-shots…