Linux Server Lab Setup with VirtualBox

This guide details the complete process for creating two Linux server virtual machines (VMs) (Ubuntu Server and Rocky Linux) and configuring them to be managed remotely from Windows using PowerShell and SSH.

📜 Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Part 1: Ubuntu Server (server-ubuntu)
  • 1.1. Virtual Machine Creation
  • 1.2. Operating System Installation
  • 1.3. First Boot and Update
• Part 2: Rocky Linux Server (server-rocky)
  • 2.1. Virtual Machine Creation
  • 2.2. Operating System Installation
• Part 3: Remote Connection with PowerShell (SSH)
  • 3.1. Change the VM Network Configuration
  • 3.2. Connect via SSH

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Prerequisites

• Software:
  • Oracle VM VirtualBox installed on your PC (Windows 11).
  • A Windows terminal (like PowerShell or Windows Terminal).
• Installation Files (ISOs):
  • Ubuntu Server LTS: (e.g., ubuntu-24.04-live-server-amd64.iso).
  • Rocky Linux Minimal: (e.g., Rocky-10.0-x86_64-minimal.iso).

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Part 1: Ubuntu Server (server-ubuntu)

1.1. Virtual Machine Creation

1. Open VirtualBox and click the "New" icon.
2. Virtual machine name and operating system:
   • Name: server-ubuntu (or the original name PostgreSQL Server Ubuntu).
   • ISO Image: Select the Ubuntu Server .iso file you downloaded.
   • Important: DO NOT check the Proceed with Unattended Installation box.
3. Specify virtual hardware:
   • Base Memory: 4096 MB (4 GB).
   • Processors: 2 CPUs.
   • Important: Check the Use EFI box.
4. Specify virtual hard disk:
   • Select Create a new Virtual Hard Disk.
   • Disk Size: 25.00 GB (or your preferred size).
   • Important: DO NOT check the Pre-allocate Full Size box (to use dynamic allocation).
5. Click "Finish" to create the VM.

1.2. Operating System Installation

1. Select the server-ubuntu VM and click "Start".
2. In the first menu, select Try or Install Ubuntu Server and press Enter.
3. Language: Select English (recommended for servers).
4. Keyboard: Configure your keyboard layout (e.g., Spanish).
5. Type of Installation: Leave the default option (X) Ubuntu Server.
6. Network: Confirm that the network (enp0s3) has obtained an IP via DHCP (e.g., 10.0.2.15). Select Done.
7. Proxy: Leave it blank. Select Done.
8. Mirror: Accept the default address. Select Done.
9. Storage:
   • Leave (X) Use an entire disk checked.
   • Important: UNCHECK the Set up this disk as an LVM group box.
   • Select Done.
   • On the summary screen, select Done and confirm the destructive action by choosing Continue.
10. Profile setup:
    • Fill in Your name, Your server's name, Pick a username (e.g., isabosdev), and a secure password.
11. SSH Setup:
    • Important: Check the [X] Install OpenSSH server box.
12. Featured Server Snaps: Do not select any. Select Done.
13. Installation: The system will install. This will take a few minutes.
14. Reboot: When you see Installation complete!, select [ Reboot Now ].
15. The machine will ask you to Please remove the installation medium, then press ENTER. VirtualBox usually ejects the ISO automatically. Simply press Enter.

1.3. First Boot and Update

1. At the server-ubuntu login: prompt, log in with the user and password you created.
2. Update the system (optional for the lab, but good practice).

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade

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Part 2: Rocky Linux Server (server-rocky)

2.1. Virtual Machine Creation

The process is identical to Ubuntu's, only the name and ISO change.

1. In VirtualBox, click "New".
2. Virtual machine name and operating system:
   • Name: server-rocky (or Rocky RHEL Server).
   • ISO Image: Select the Rocky Linux Minimal .iso file you downloaded.
   • VirtualBox will detect it as Red Hat (64-bit) or similar.
   • Important: DO NOT check unattended installation.
3. Specify virtual hardware:
   • Base Memory: 4096 MB (4 GB).
   • Processors: 2 CPUs.
   • Important: Check the Use EFI box.
4. Specify virtual hard disk:
   • Disk Size: 25.00 GB.
   • Important: DO NOT check Pre-allocate Full Size.
5. Click "Finish".

2.2. Operating System Installation

1. Select the server-rocky VM and click "Start".
2. In the first menu, select Install Rocky Linux 10 and press Enter.
3. Language: Select your preferred installer language (e.g., English -> English (United States)). Click Continue.
4. Installation Summary: We must complete all items with warnings.
   • Network & Host Name:
     • Click the switch for enp0s3 to turn it "ON".
     • In the bottom left corner, in Host Name:, type server-rocky.
     • Click Apply and then Done.
   • Installation Destination:
     • Click on the 25 GB disk icon so a ✓ appears.
     • Leave the configuration on Automatic.
     • Click Done.
   • Software Selection:
     • Ensure Minimal Install is selected.
     • Click Done.
   • Root Account:
     • Check Enable root account.
     • Set a strong password for root.
     • Click Done.
   • User Creation:
     • Fill in your username (e.g., isabosdev) and password.
     • Important: Check the Make this user an administrator box.
     • Click Done.
5. Begin Installation: Once no warnings remain, the button will become active. Click it.
6. Reboot: When the installation finishes, click Reboot System.
7. Eject ISO: If you see the installer again on reboot, manually eject the ISO from the Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive menu and restart the VM (Machine > Reset).

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Part 3: Remote Connection with PowerShell (SSH)

This process is identical for both VMs and is what allows you to control them from Windows.

3.1. Change the VM Network Configuration

1. Ensure the VM (e.g., server-ubuntu) is "Powered Off".
2. In VirtualBox, select the VM and click "Settings".
3. Go to the "Network" section.
4. On "Adapter 1", change "Attached to:" from NAT to Bridged Adapter.
5. Under "Name", ensure your main network adapter (your PC's Wi-Fi or Ethernet) is selected.
6. Click "OK".

3.2. Connect via SSH

1. Start the VM.

2. Log in to the VM's console (the VirtualBox window).

3. Find the new IP address. The command is the same on both systems:

   ip a

   Look for the IP in the enp0s3 section, under inet. It will have a format like 192.168.1.X.

4. Minimize the VirtualBox window (leave it running).

5. Open PowerShell on your Windows.

6. Type the ssh command with your user and the VM's IP:

   ssh isabosdev@192.168.1.X

7. The first time, it will ask if you trust the connection. Type yes and press Enter.

8. Type your user password for that VM.

Done! You now control your server from PowerShell and can copy/paste commands.