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2009-04-11 07:52:01
Sun released an update to their cross-platform virtualization software, VirtualBox. 2.2.0 introduces some evolutionary changes that, while worthwhile, are not quite as exciting as the 2.1.0 release.
The open standard virtual application format, , has been integrated into the 2.2 release of VirtualBox. Along with actual format support, friendly import and export graphical utilities have been added. , Microsoft, and have pledged support for the format. Essentially, OVF is a packaged format of both the physical disk files and configuration values. Ideally, this will be a platform-agnostic way to introduce virtual applications to the masses.
VirtualBox again introduces improved networking options in a major revision. In previous versions, bridged networking was highly improved. VirtualBox 2.2.0 brings us “host-only” networking. This new networking mode is an amalgamation of features from bridged and internal. Like bridged networking, the VMs can communication with each other and the host as if they were physically connected. But as with host-only networking, the physical host interface need not exist - instead they can communicate as if they were set to internal networking (that is, without connection to the physical network).
Host-only Settings
Using host-only networking requires that a software network interface is created on the host and thus is prone to being able to intercept commands with a packet sniffer. However, this may be a desired side effect, especially when using software appliances to learn about networking. To enable communication with the physical network the host is attached to, a second network interface of type bridged must be setup.
To me, it seems like internal plus host networking could have easily accomplished this. I honestly don’t understand the particular need for this feature aside from better supporting the initiatives of OVF.
Continuing the trend of hardware-accelerated Open3D in guests, the VirtualBox team has added support for Linux and Solaris. These OSs now join Windows in this prestige. Additionally, I noted an exciting proposition in the user manual at the very end of page 70, “Direct3D is not yet supported and will be added in a future release“. Obviously, because this is a Windows technology, support would only exist on Windows guests, but the very thought of this is promising.
In addition to the major points above, there are a slew of smaller changes and bug fixes. A few highlights include:
VirtualBox 2.2.0 is another high-quality release from Sun, however this revision has a small hiccup in the installer for detecting physical interfaces. This is immediately exposed to the user in the form of a warning in the Machine settings dialog.
Invalid Settings Detected
As you attempt to configure the virtual interface to resolve the problem, it becomes immediately apparent that VirtualBox is unable to see any physical network interfaces. Instead the only option listed is, “Not selected”.
Bridged Network DetailsHost-only Settings
Fortunately, there is . To resolve this issue, simply re-run the installer and select “Repair”. After the process has completed, VirtualBox should see all the host interfaces, and pick up the existing settings.
