How to Install Virtualbox on Rocky Linux

Virtualbox is a popular, open-source virtualization software that allows you to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) on your system. It is an excellent tool for developers, IT professionals, and enthusiasts who need to run multiple operating systems on a single host. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to install Virtualbox on Rocky Linux, an emerging Linux distribution that is gaining popularity for its stability and reliability.

Prerequisites

Before you start installing Virtualbox, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

A Rocky Linux system with a user account that has sudo privileges
A stable internet connection for downloading packages

How to Install Virtualbox on Rocky Linux

Step 1: Update Your System

To begin, update your system by running the following command:

sudo dnf update -y

This will ensure that your system is up to date with the latest packages and security patches.

Step 2: Install Required Packages

Virtualbox requires some additional packages to function correctly. Install the required packages by running the following command:

sudo dnf install -y gcc make perl kernel-devel kernel-headers elfutils-libelf-devel

These packages provide the necessary tools and libraries to build and run Virtualbox on Rocky Linux.

Step 3: Add Virtualbox Repository

To install Virtualbox, you’ll need to add its repository to your system. Create a new repository file by running the following command:

sudo vi /etc/yum.repos.d/virtualbox.repo

Add the following content to the virtualbox.repo file:

[virtualbox]
name=Oracle Virtualbox Repository
baseurl=http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/rpm/el/$releasever/$basearch
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
repo_gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox.asc

Save and exit the file.

Step 4: Install Virtualbox

With the repository added, install Virtualbox by running the following command:

sudo dnf install -y VirtualBox-6.1

This command will install the latest version of Virtualbox (6.1) on your system.

Step 5: Add Your User to the vboxusers Group

To manage Virtualbox VMs, your user account must be a member of the vboxusers group. Add your user to the group by running the following command:

sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER

Log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

Step 6: Start and Enable Virtualbox Service

Enable and start the Virtualbox service by running the following commands:

sudo systemctl enable vboxdrv
sudo systemctl start vboxdrv

These commands will ensure that the Virtualbox service starts automatically when your system boots.

Step 7: Launch Virtualbox

You can now launch Virtualbox from the application menu or by running the following command:

virtualbox

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Virtualbox on Rocky Linux. You can now create and manage virtual machines to suit your needs. For more information on using Virtualbox, consult the official Virtualbox documentation.

If you’re interested in exploring more about Rocky Linux, check out some of our other articles:

For those who are curious about RAID configurations, we also have in-depth articles on different RAID levels and their performance:

Rocky Linux is an excellent choice for users who value stability and enterprise-level support. With the addition of Virtualbox, you can now experiment with various operating systems and configurations without the need for additional hardware. Whether you’re a developer testing new software or an IT professional managing multiple environments, Virtualbox on Rocky Linux provides a versatile solution for virtualization.

As you continue to explore the world of Linux, consider checking out our articles on other Linux distributions, such as openSUSE, and the various tasks you can accomplish with them. By expanding your knowledge and skills, you’ll be better prepared to handle any challenge that comes your way in the ever-changing world of technology.