Virtual Box and Ubuntu

I have just installed Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop and 8.04 Server with GNOME Desktop on my Virtual Box. Beside some slight glitches, yes, there are some problem with DHCP via MAC OSX host Airport, that I need to manually fix IP, DNS server, and gateway than obtaining from DHCP server. However, via Ethernet connection it seems ok with DHCP.

A closer look at the DHCP server revealed that Ubuntu client did make a DHCP request, and DHCP server did response, but Ubuntu client is not able to receive reply from DHCP server, and this is only happening when network is configured via Airport wireless interface.

It seems to me some kind of firewall or filtering is in place, but I do not know where, it does not seems to be on Ubuntu, since Ethernet connection is OK.

On Airport Wireless interface, windows XP client successfully getting the DHCP information.

Thus, I can safely suspect that it may be VirtualBox/Ubuntu combination that is causing the problem.

Leave the problem aside, Ubuntu did run faster on my Macbook than many other PCs,

Will try to find out what goes wrong and record it here.

Virtual Box - The Open Source Virtualization

I have been using Parallels Desktop 3.0 and recently upgraded to 4.0 on my Macbook. The speed is merely acceptable that restricts it uses only when necessary.

This defeat the purpose of getting a Macbook as I need a workhorse to be able to run multiple OS, and OSX is my preferred platform for my daily work.

Recently, I discovered Virtual Box from Sun Microsystem, an Open Source virtualization which I personally feel much better than VMWare and Parallels both in terms of performance and ease of use.

Not to mention it is free.

I have since tested installed Windows XP version 2002, works fine except isight and bluetooth built in is not functioning under Windows, as the drivers are buried inside the Apple Bootcamp app. I am yet to retrieve drivers from Bootcamp as yet.

Overall, I am very happy with VirtualBox, it gives me an opportunity to have multiple OSs on the same Macbook and run pretty well and fast too.

On Windows XP, it is faster than most Core 2 Duo desktop PCs.

If you are need to run another OS on your PC, VirtualBox should meet most of your requirement.

Google VirtualBox to download and install, try yourself, you will know what I mean.