How to Create a Headless VM on Ubuntu Using VirtualBox

Install VirtualBox

Install VirtualBox on your system if you have not already done so.

Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu

Post-installation procedures allow immediate deployment of new virtual hardware configurations.

Create VM directory

To create a storage directory for your headless VM Ubuntu VirtualBox setup, you need to use the terminal to generate the required folder structure and virtual hardware profile. Running the VBoxManage command registers a new Ubuntu virtual machine on your system so you can configure its settings and install the 💿 operating system without a graphical interface.

Executing the command below generates the required VirtualBox directory structure.

Laying the groundwork starts with provisioning the virtual hardware profile. A command will create a new Ubuntu 24.04 VM, giving it a name so you can configure it later.

sudo VBoxManage createvm --name Ubuntu2404 --ostype Ubuntu_64 --register --basefolder /var/vbox

Successful execution yields a confirmation message resembling the output below.

Virtual machine 'Ubuntu2404' is created and registered.
UUID: 613dde34-dfa1-4342-9a04-f54c19b44b19
Settings file: '/var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Ubuntu2404.vbox'

Change VM properties

Hardware parameters like processor count, allocated RAM, and networking configuration undergo modification using the command displayed below.

sudo  VBoxManage modifyvm Ubuntu2404 --cpus 4 --memory 8192 --nic1 nat --boot1 dvd --vrde on --vrdeport 5001

Create the VM storage

To create the VM storage for your headless Ubuntu VirtualBox setup, you must configure a storage controller and a virtual hard disk file to house the operating system and user data. Using the VBoxManage command line tool allows you to set the disk format and file size in megabytes before attaching the new drive to your virtual machine.

You create a virtual hard drive from the storage by running the `VBoxManage createmedium disk` command. This command takes the storage's path and the desired disk size, for example, `VBoxManage createmedium disk --format VDI "path/to/your/disk.vdi" --size 20480` to create a 20GB disk image.

sudo VBoxManage createhd --filename /var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Ubuntu2404.vdi --size 20480 --format VDI --variant Standard

Successful completion returns terminal feedback matching the example below.

0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100%
Medium created. UUID: 703b125d-987c-41a1-a2c8-ba15baa2d7ec

Attaching the newly generated hard drive requires the subsequent instruction.

sudo VBoxManage storageattach Ubuntu2404 --storagectl Ubuntu2404_SATA --port 1 --type hdd --medium /var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Ubuntu2404.vdi

Populated with storage controllers, the environment stands ready for an operating system. Inspection of system parameters occurs through the query below.

sudo VBoxManage showvminfo Ubuntu2404

The console prints configuration details similar to this block.

Name:                        Ubuntu2404
Encryption:                  disabled
Groups:                      /
Guest OS:                    Ubuntu (64-bit)
UUID:                        613dde34-dfa1-4342-9a04-f54c19b44b19
Config file:                 /var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Ubuntu2404.vbox
Snapshot folder:             /var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Snapshots
Log folder:                  /var/vbox/Ubuntu2404/Logs
Hardware UUID:               613dde34-dfa1-4342-9a04-f54c19b44b19
Memory size:                 8192MB
Page Fusion:                 disabled
VRAM size:                   8MB
CPU exec cap:                100%
HPET:                        disabled
CPUProfile:                  host
Chipset:                     piix3
Firmware:                    BIOS
Number of CPUs:              4
PAE:                         enabled
Long Mode:                   enabled
Triple Fault Reset:          disabled
APIC:                        enabled
X2APIC:                      enabled

Hardware provisioning reaches completion.

Attach Ubuntu installation ISO

To attach the Ubuntu installation ISO (an archive containing the operating system's setup files) to your headless VM in VirtualBox, you use the storageattach command in the terminal. Linking this installer image connects a virtual disc to the machine, allowing your virtual hardware to boot directly into the setup utility when you start the server.

Acquiring the installer image precedes binding it to the hardware profile via the terminal.

sudo VBoxManage storageattach Ubuntu2404 --storagectl Ubuntu2404_SATA --port 0 --type dvddrive --medium ~/Downloads/ubuntu-24.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso

Mounted installation media allows powering on the environment using the instruction below.

sudo VBoxManage startvm Ubuntu2404 --type headless

Proper execution triggers confirmation output comparable to the text below.

Waiting for VM "Ubuntu2404" to power on...
VM "Ubuntu2404" has been successfully started.

Establishing remote desktop connectivity requires pointing an RDP client toward the host alongside [vrdeport] port 5001 [VMHostIPaddress:vrdeport] to complete the operating system installation.

192.168.48.128:5001

Conclusion:

Running a virtual machine through the command line keeps resource overhead low.

• Preparation: Ensure VirtualBox is installed and a directory for VMs is created.
• VM Creation: This creates the virtual machine with the desired parameters.
• Configuration: Modify VM properties such as CPU and memory using VBoxManage modifyvm.
• Storage Setup: Create a storage controller and hard drive for the VM.
• ISO Attachment: Download the Ubuntu installation ISO and attach it to the VM.
• Launching: Start the VM in headless mode and connect using an RDP client for installation.

Following these procedures establishes efficient command-line virtualization management.