Virtualization tools

In this section, we will look at several widely available open source and commercial tools that implement different forms of processor virtualization. This information may be useful as a starting point when initiating a project involving virtualization.

VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a free, open source type 2 hypervisor from Oracle Corporation. Supported host operating systems include Windows and several Linux variants. One or more guest operating systems on a single host can simultaneously run Windows and a variety of Linux distributions.

Guest OS licensing requirements

For organizations and individuals to remain in compliance with copyright laws, operating systems requiring licensing, such as Windows, must be properly licensed even when running as guest operating systems.

Individual virtual machines can be started, stopped, and paused under the control of the interactive VirtualBox management program or from the command line. VirtualBox has the ability...