Ubuntu Tutorials

I am, as I’m sure many of you are, avid users of virtualization. Virtualization allows us to test new releases, other distributions, and otherwise sandbox operating systems and applications that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to (or want to!) run on our stable system. In this article I will outline how to install the latest VirtualBox release using the VirtualBox / Sun repository. This will ensure your installation remains up to date, and stays within the package management system.

Requirements

In order to install the latest VirtualBox release we’ll need to configure and activate the VirtualBox repository. This is done by following the steps below:

1. (GNOME) Navigate to: System > Administration > Software Sources
2. (KDE) Navigate to: System Settings > Add and Remove Software > Settings > Edit Software Sources
3. Select the “Other Software” tab.
4. Add: deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian karmic non-free

You’ll also want to import the package signing key, using the command:

wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/sun_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Installation

Once you have the upstream VirtualBox repository activated, you’re able to install the latest VirtualBox release using the command below. You may also click on the linked package name:

sudo aptitude install virtualbox-3.1

Use

Before you are able to use VirtualBox you will need to add yourself to the required group. This facilitates access to the vboxdrv system device. Use the following command to add yourself to the required group:

sudo gpasswd -a <username> vboxusers

Once you have applied this change you will need to logout and log back in. This is required for the group-access change to take effect.

After you are logged back in you should be able to successfully launch VirtualBox from: Applications > System Tools > VirtualBox