LinuxQuestions.org
Review your favorite Linux distribution.
Home Forums Tutorials Articles Register
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software
User Name
Password
Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 12-30-2015, 12:08 PM   #1
BobStockdale
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2015
Posts: 6

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Very basic boot to VM


I'm looking to get a system running that configures the system for multiple virt clients. No unnecessary software, libraries etc. I would like it to boot with a graphical user interface with icons for the various virtual clients that are installed. I am considering either a Gentoo based or LFS based system. The system should support any Linux distro, BSD and unfortunately Windoze. Any suggestions as to how to start or if a similar project exist where I might locate it would be awesome.
 
Old 12-30-2015, 11:05 PM   #2
jefro
Moderator
 
Registered: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,974

Rep: Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623Reputation: 3623
Hello and welcome to LQ.

I don't really get your question. Are you asking for a bare meter hypervisor of sorts? Maybe a minimal distro that has some vm installed?
 
Old 01-01-2016, 08:59 AM   #3
BobStockdale
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2015
Posts: 6

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Yes that is pretty much what I'm looking for. Just a bare system that configures everything and allows all virts access to network, printers, monitors etc. My idea is that there would be nothing unnecessary installed on the host system. However, since computer unsavy users will use it, a graphical system to select the OS to load would be necessary. I'm most curious if such a project already exists that I could easily configure. If not what would be the fastest way to get started. Currently I run Calculate Linux on my laptop, Ubuntu on my wife's laptop, Sabayon on my workstation and my wife's desktop has a very infected windoze installation. I would begin setting up the infected PC to boot with options to select any of theses 4 OS's. With snapshot available if Windoze gets reinfected I could revert to a preinfected snapshot.
 
Old 01-02-2016, 06:51 AM   #4
ondoho
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2013
Posts: 19,872
Blog Entries: 12

Rep: Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobStockdale View Post
I would like it to boot with a graphical user interface with icons for the various virtual clients that are installed.
this "requirement" already involves quite a lot that is not basic.

Quote:
The system should support any Linux distro, BSD and unfortunately Windoze.
if you want to run these in a virtual machine, only the virtual machine needs to support those.
that's kinda the whole point of using virtual machines.
i have only experience with virtualbox and i find it easy to use and reliable and versatile.


Quote:
Originally Posted by BobStockdale View Post
Just a bare system that configures everything
imho, that is a contradiction in itself.


Quote:
allows all virts access to network, printers, monitors etc.
well, first of all these have to work on the host OS, then you have to make them wotk on the guest OS, too.
all this is possible to configure with virtualbox.

=====================================

All in all, i'd recommend any distro that is suffciently stable and provides you with a recent version of virtualbox and a lightweight desktop.
for choice of a light desktop environment that still has desktop icons, i'd say LXDE. maybe Lubuntu. or Xubuntu, with XFCE.

if you really want to get your hands dirty, and frequent updates, there's nothing like archlinux.
 
Old 01-02-2016, 05:11 PM   #5
berndbausch
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Nov 2013
Location: Tokyo
Distribution: Mostly Ubuntu and Centos
Posts: 6,316

Rep: Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002Reputation: 2002
Xen seems to match your requirement of a minimal hypervisor, though I don't know what kind of GUI (if any) it offers.
 
Old 01-02-2016, 05:30 PM   #6
273
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680

Rep: Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373
I've been reading this thread wondering whether to contribute or not since I'm not that familiar with the technology likely to be the best in this case. However, I wit the answers here (no offence to precious posters) I wonder whether this ought to be moved to the virtualisation forum (by the original poster reporting it to the moderators)?
Personally if I were to try what is being asked I would install a minimal "server" install of Debian, then something like Fluxbox, then KVM and look at front-ends for it. I haven't played with KVM though so I'm afraid my virtualisation experience is mainly with VirtualBox and, while I like it, it's not particularly light and would likely drag in a lot of libraries.
 
Old 01-03-2016, 05:28 AM   #7
ondoho
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2013
Posts: 19,872
Blog Entries: 12

Rep: Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053Reputation: 6053
Quote:
Originally Posted by 273 View Post
a minimal "server" install of Debian, then something like Fluxbox
op asked specifically for desktop icons, user-friendliness for non-savvy users, and (ootb?) support for printing etc.
 
Old 01-03-2016, 05:59 AM   #8
273
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Distribution: Debian Sid AMD64, Raspbian Wheezy, various VMs
Posts: 7,680

Rep: Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373Reputation: 2373
Quote:
Originally Posted by ondoho View Post
op asked specifically for desktop icons, user-friendliness for non-savvy users, and (ootb?) support for printing etc.
The OP asked for a minimal install with icons on the desktop for running each VM. With a little tweaking that can be had under Fluxbox. Printing support and the like would, from my understanding, have to be down to each VM instance as they are the OSs that the users are using.
It was my understanding that the OP wants an absolute bare minimum installed in the host OS as it's just a springboard to get to the OSs which will actually be used.
Otherwise the OP is basically wanting Linux Mint Cinnamon or MATE with a VirtualBox install and there is no question here to be answered.
 
Old 01-03-2016, 11:04 AM   #9
Carl_cj
Member
 
Registered: Sep 2014
Distribution: Slackware,Linux From Scratch
Posts: 254

Rep: Reputation: 0
accroding to me Vmware workstation is best.i am run windows and fedora and Slackware as guest OS's in vmware workstation these three are works well.some guest OS need to install drivers some may not.
 
  


Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Basic question regarding a PC boot /POST. mattvdh General 7 03-26-2010 07:32 PM
u-boot -kernel- application-how it links(the very basic) techie Linux - Kernel 1 02-11-2009 02:58 AM
help with som Basic dual boot options Scott_Freedman Linux - Newbie 3 10-21-2003 10:12 AM
boot with basic brimbleshoes General 4 05-02-2002 05:44 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:30 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration