Using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you can download and install Oracle Virtual Box and use this free hypervisor to create virtual machines and a virtual network. Have available an ISO file to install the Windows operating system in the VM. Follow these steps:

1. Go to virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and download Virtual Box for Windows hosts x86/amd64 to your desktop or other folder on your hard drive. Install the software, accepting default settings during the installation. The Oracle VM Virtual Box Manager window opens.

2. To create a virtual machine using Virtual Box, click New in the toolbar and follow the wizard to create a VM. Name the virtual machine VM10 and select the Windows OS you will install in it. You can accept all default settings for the VM.

3. With the VM selected, click Settings in the Virtual Box Manager window. In the VM10- Settings box, click Storage in the left pane.

4. In the Storage Tree area, to the right of Controller: IDE, click Add CD/DVD Device, which is represented by the single CD icon,

5. A dialog box appears. Click Choose disk. Browse to the location of the ISO file that contains the Windows operating system setup files made available by your instructor, click Open, and then click OK. You return to the Virtual Box Manager window.

6. Click Start on the toolbar. Your VM starts up and begins the process of installing the operating system.

Problem 3

In this problem, you create a third VM in your virtual network and install Ubuntu Server in the VM. You also learn how to use some Linux commands. Follow these steps:

1. Go to ubuntu.org and download the Ubuntu Server OS to your hard drive. The file that downloads is an ISO file.

2. Open the Oracle VM Virtual Box Manager or Hyper-V Manager. Following the directions in the above problem, create a new VM named VM40. Mount the ISO file that contains the Ubuntu Server download to a virtual DVD in your VM.

3. Start up the VM and install Ubuntu Desktop, accepting all default settings (see Figure 2-34). When given the option, don’t install any extra software bundled with the OS. You’ll need to restart the VM when the installation is done.

4. To verify you have an Internet connection, open the Mozilla Firefox browser and surf the Web. Good network technicians must know how to use many operating systems. Poke around in the Ubuntu Desktop interface and get familiar with it. What can you do with the Dashboard icon at the top of the left sidebar? You can also search the Web for tutorials and YouTube videos on how to use Ubuntu Desktop. When you’re ready to shut down your VM, click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Ubuntu Desktop screen and click Shut Down in the menu that appears.