Description

Instructions for installing and setting up VirtualBox with Ubuntu. A VirtualBox installation of Ubuntu is different from a standard bare metal and this guides explains how to handle those discrepencies. Instructions include methods to handle internet proxy if you are trying to connect your virtual machine to internet access.

Installation

Download the latest Ubuntu LTS ISO.
Download & Install VirtualBox.

Create a new Virtual Machine in Virtual Box using Ubuntu ISO.

Note: When asked about system resources set your virtual machine to use 50% of the host's RAM and CPU.

Permissions

With VirtualBox you are not automatically added to the sudoer's group by default. To add yourself perform the following:
```
sudo su -   # upgrade to root first
sudo usermod -aG sudo <username>  # add yourself to sudoers
```
Logout/login in order for the effects to register.

Setup Proxy Settings

Web Access

Open Settings -> Network in Ubuntu Apps and configure the proxy addresses

Set the Network Proxy to manual and enter in your proxy if you are using one. Otherwise ignore.
Verify proxy settings work by opening a webpage.

Apt

Add the following to /etc/apt/apt.conf:
```
Acquire::http::Proxy "<proxy_address>";
```

Verify that proxy settings work:

sudo apt update  # can reach host if proxy works

Wget

Add the following to /etc/wgetrc:

use_proxy=yes
http_proxy=<proxy_address>
https_proxy=<proxy_address>

Verify wget via:

wget github.com # will complain if it needs a proxy

Host Integration

Installing Guest Additions

Select Top Menu -> Devices -> Upgrade Guest Additions

Guest Additions will greatly enhance your experience with Virtual Box because it provides user improvements that are not normally provided by the ISO image.

Copy/Paste Integration

Select Top Menu -> Devices -> Shared Clipboard -> Bidirectional

File Sharing

Create a folder on your virtual machine in /mnt/shared:
```
mkdir /mnt/shared # this will be your mount point
```
Turn off virtual machine.
VirtualBox -> Settings -> Shared Folders

Set the Network Proxy to manual and enter in your proxy if you are using one. Otherwise ignore.

Set a path on the host machine to a mount point inside the virtual machine.

Performance

3D Acceleration

Select VirtualBox -> Settings -> Display:

For visualization tasks, enabling 3D acceleration can sometimes provide a performance boost.
Maximizing the Video Memory can also provide improved performance.

Configuring the video settings can improve performance for certain tasks.

destin-v / virtualbox-proxy-guide