Install a Linux Server VM | VMware & VirtualBox

You will install a headless Ubuntu Server virtual machine you can break and rebuild freely, the safe foundation for every other server lab. By the end you will have a reachable VM with a clean snapshot to roll back to.

Learning Objectives

Create and boot a Linux server VM from an ISO.
Configure bridged networking so the VM is reachable over SSH.
Capture a clean snapshot you can restore in seconds.
Time: ~1 hour · Difficulty: Beginner · Prereqs: a host with 4GB+ free RAM and virtualization enabled in BIOS.

Architecture Overview

Environment Setup

You will need:

VirtualBox 7.x (virtualbox.org) or VMware Workstation.
The Ubuntu Server 22.04 ISO.
Virtualization (VT-x/AMD-V) enabled in your host BIOS.

Before you begin: confirm you have 4GB+ free RAM and 20GB free disk.

Step-by-Step Execution

Create the VM and disk

This provisions an empty VM with a 20GB dynamically allocated disk. A dedicated disk keeps the lab isolated from your host.

VBoxManage createvm --name ubuntu-srv --ostype Ubuntu_64 --register

Registers a new VM definition with VirtualBox.

Attach the ISO and boot the installer

Booting from the ISO launches the guided Ubuntu installer where you set hostname, user, and OpenSSH.

VBoxManage storageattach ubuntu-srv --storagectl IDE --port 0 --device 0 --type dvddrive --medium ubuntu-22.04-live-server.iso

Verify the OS after first boot

Confirm the release so later commands match your Debian-family tooling.

cat /etc/os-release | head -2

Enable bridged networking and find the IP

Bridged mode puts the VM on your LAN with its own IP so you can SSH in from your host.

$ ip -br addr show

lo UNKNOWN 127.0.0.1/8 enp0s3 UP 192.168.1.42/24

$ # your VM is reachable at 192.168.1.42

Snapshot the clean base

A snapshot lets you undo any future mistake instantly, which is what makes a VM a safe learning sandbox.

VBoxManage snapshot ubuntu-srv take clean-base --description "fresh install"

Progress So Far

Testing & Validation

Run this final check from your host:

ssh [email protected] 'uname -a && uptime'

You should see the VM's kernel string and uptime. If all checks pass, you have a working, reachable, restorable Linux server.

Troubleshooting

No 64-bit OS option: enable VT-x/AMD-V in host BIOS, then restart VirtualBox.
SSH connection refused: confirm OpenSSH was selected during install (sudo systemctl status ssh).
No LAN IP: switch the adapter from NAT to Bridged and re-run the installer's network step.

Extension Ideas

Try the Post-Installation Configuration lab to harden this base.
Convert the VM to a KVM guest in Creating Nested VMs with KVM.
Read the Ubuntu Server install docs for autoinstall (cloud-init) automation.

Key Results

Stood up a reachable Linux server VM in under 1 hour.
Confirmed SSH access over a bridged LAN IP.
Captured a snapshot enabling sub-minute rollback.
Created a disposable base reused across 11 server labs.

Install a Linux Server VM in VirtualBox or VMware