Hello there! As a technology enthusiast with a keen interest in virtualization, I'm thrilled to discuss Oracle VM VirtualBox. VirtualBox is indeed a free and open-source hypervisor, which is widely recognized for its versatility and robustness. Originally developed by Innotek, it was later acquired by Sun Microsystems, and subsequently by Oracle Corporation, where it continues to be developed and maintained.

VirtualBox provides a platform for running multiple operating systems on a single physical computer. This is achieved by creating virtual machines, which can be configured to emulate a variety of hardware configurations. The software is particularly popular among developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to run multiple operating systems simultaneously for testing, development, or any other purpose.

One of the key features of VirtualBox is its support for a wide range of host operating systems. As you mentioned, it can be installed on Linux, macOS, Windows, Solaris, and OpenSolaris. This cross-platform compatibility makes it a valuable tool for users working in diverse computing environments.

Another important aspect of VirtualBox is its extensive feature set. It offers capabilities such as:

- Snapshots: Allows users to take a snapshot of the current state of a virtual machine, which can be restored at a later time.
- Shared Folders: Enables file sharing between the host and guest operating systems.
- USB Support: Provides support for USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices, allowing for the use of USB devices within virtual machines.
- Graphics and 3D Support: Offers improved graphics capabilities and 3D acceleration, enhancing the performance of graphical applications within virtual machines.
- Networking: Supports various networking modes, including NAT, Bridged, Internal Networking, and Host-Only Adapters.

VirtualBox also supports a variety of guest operating systems, including but not limited to Windows, Linux, Solaris, and OpenSolaris. This broad compatibility allows users to run a diverse range of applications within virtual environments.

In terms of performance, VirtualBox is designed to be efficient and resource-light, ensuring that the host system's resources are not overly taxed while running virtual machines. It also offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for both beginners and experienced users to manage their virtual machines.

Regarding licensing, VirtualBox is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2. This means that the software is free to use, distribute, and modify, subject to the terms of the license.

In conclusion, Oracle VM VirtualBox is a powerful, free, and open-source virtualization solution that offers a wide range of features and compatibility with multiple host and guest operating systems. Its versatility and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to virtualize their computing environment.

read more >>

Oracle VM VirtualBox (formerly Sun VirtualBox, Sun xVM VirtualBox and Innotek VirtualBox) is a free and open-source hypervisor for x86 computers currently being developed by Oracle Corporation. ... VirtualBox may be installed on a number of host operating systems, including: Linux, macOS, Windows, Solaris, and OpenSolaris.read more >>