Virtual Machines Lecture Notes

Introduction to Virtual Machines

• Virtual machines (VMs) are transformative for learning hacking, Linux, IT, or understanding computing concepts.
• This lecture covers:
  • What VMs are and their importance.
  • Setting up a VM.
  • Features of VMs.
  • Practical demonstration of installation.

What is a Virtual Machine?

• A VM is essentially a computer inside another computer.
• It mimics a physical computer using virtualization technology.
  • Example: Your computer has hardware (CPU, RAM, storage) but requires an operating system to function.
• VMs allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.

Setting Up a Virtual Machine

• Hypervisor: Software that enables virtualization (e.g., VirtualBox).
  • Type 2 Hypervisor: Installed on top of an existing OS (e.g., Windows, Linux).
  • Type 1 Hypervisor: Installed directly on hardware, often used in enterprise settings (e.g., VMware ESXi).
• Why Use VMs?
  • Learning Hacking: Safest way to experiment with tools and techniques.
  • Testing Different OS: Easy to switch between operating systems.
  • Isolation: Safe experimentation with no impact on the host OS.

Requirements for Creating a VM

• Hardware Requirements: A computer (ideally less than 10 years old) with:
  • Minimum 4GB RAM.
  • CPU must support virtualization (enable in BIOS).
• Download required OS images (e.g., Kali Linux, Ubuntu) in .iso format.
• Install the hypervisor (VirtualBox) and an extension pack for added features.

Installation Steps (Demo)

1. Download OS Images: Kali Linux and Ubuntu from official websites.
2. Download VirtualBox: Free from Oracle's website.
3. Install VirtualBox: Follow the standard installation steps.
4. Install Extension Pack: Enables additional features.
5. Create a New Virtual Machine:
   • Set name, type (Linux), version (e.g., Ubuntu 64-bit).
   • Allocate memory and hard disk space (dynamically allocated recommended).
   • Modify settings as necessary (e.g., number of CPUs).

Running the Virtual Machine

• Start VM and select the downloaded OS image.
• Follow installation prompts for the OS.
• A VM appears as an isolated environment where actions do not affect the host OS.

Key Features of Virtual Machines

• Snapshots: Save the current state of a VM for easy restoration.
• Cloning: Create copies of VMs for experimentation.
• Pause/Resume: Temporarily halt VM operation to save resources.
• Shared Clipboard and Drag/Drop: Allows sharing data between host and guest OS (use with caution for security).
• Networking Options: Configure VM network settings for isolation or integration with the host network.

Conclusion

• Learning about VMs is crucial for anyone interested in IT, hacking, or system administration.
• VMs provide a safe, isolated environment for experimentation and education.
• Encouraged to explore further with tools like Docker and WSL2 for additional virtualization techniques.

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