nixpkgs/nixos/doc/manual/installation/installing-virtualbox-guest.xml
2018-04-12 09:39:14 +10:00

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<section xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook"
xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"
xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"
version="5.0"
xml:id="sec-instaling-virtualbox-guest">
<title>Installing in a VirtualBox guest</title>
<para>
Installing NixOS into a VirtualBox guest is convenient for users who want to
try NixOS without installing it on bare metal. If you want to use a pre-made
VirtualBox appliance, it is available at <link
xlink:href="https://nixos.org/nixos/download.html">the downloads page</link>.
If you want to set up a VirtualBox guest manually, follow these instructions:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>Add a New Machine in VirtualBox with OS Type "Linux / Other
Linux"</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Base Memory Size: 768 MB or higher.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>New Hard Disk of 8 GB or higher.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Mount the CD-ROM with the NixOS ISO (by clicking on
CD/DVD-ROM)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Click on Settings / System / Processor and enable
PAE/NX</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Click on Settings / System / Acceleration and enable
"VT-x/AMD-V" acceleration</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Save the settings, start the virtual machine, and continue
installation like normal</para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>
There are a few modifications you should make in configuration.nix.
Enable booting:
</para>
<programlisting>
<xref linkend="opt-boot.loader.grub.device"/> = "/dev/sda";
</programlisting>
<para>
Also remove the fsck that runs at startup. It will always fail to run,
stopping your boot until you press <literal>*</literal>.
</para>
<programlisting>
<xref linkend="opt-boot.initrd.checkJournalingFS"/> = false;
</programlisting>
<para>
Shared folders can be given a name and a path in the host system in the
VirtualBox settings (Machine / Settings / Shared Folders, then click on the
"Add" icon). Add the following to the
<literal>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</literal> to auto-mount them:
</para>
<programlisting>
{ config, pkgs, ...} :
{
...
fileSystems."/virtualboxshare" = {
fsType = "vboxsf";
device = "nameofthesharedfolder";
options = [ "rw" ];
};
}
</programlisting>
<para>
The folder will be available directly under the root directory.
</para>
</section>