VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a virtualization solution from Oracle. VirtualBox was originally developed by Innotek, which was later acquired by Sun Microsystems. In 2010, Oracle acquired Sun, including VirtualBox.

VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS and Solaris.

General information

• Documentation: http://www.virtualbox.org/manual/UserManual.html

Versions

VirtualBox 6.1

• Most important new features (excerpt) in version 6.1:
  • Now supports importing a VM from Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
  • Enhanced support for exporting a VM to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
  • Supports nested hardware virtualization for Intel CPUs
  • Supports Linux kernel 5.4 for Linux based guests
• Complete changelogs: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog

VirtualBox 6.0

• Most important renewals (excerpt) in version 6.0:
  • Support of export for virtual machines in the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
  • Improved user interface
  • Improved support of HiDPI monitors
  • New file manager supports copying files between host and guest
  • Large update of 3D graphic support for Windows guests
  • Hyper-V as fallback option for Windows hosts
  • Support for Linux kernel 4.20 for Linux-based guests
• Complete changelogs: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
• More information:
  • VirtualBox 6.0 with lots of selective improvements (heise.de, 19.12.2018)

VirtualBox 5.2

• Most important renewals (excerpt) in version 5.2:
  • VM export to Oracle Cloud (OPC)
  • Unattended operating system installation in the guest system
  • Revised graphical user interface
• Complete changelogs:https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
• More information:
  • Includes upload to the Oracle-Cloud: VirtualBox 5.2 released (heise.de, 20.10.2017)

VirtualBox 5.1

• Most important renewals (excerpt) in version 5.1:
  • Improved performance through a new implementation for APIC and I/O-APIC
  • Debugging Windows guests using Hyper-V paravirtualization
  • Graphical user interface fully migrated to Qt5
  • Higher performance and faster access times through passive API event listener
  • Better support for Python 3
  • NVMHCI-compatible storage-controller enables the emulation of NVMe devices
• Complete changelogs: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
• More information:
  • Virtualization software: VirtualBox 5.1 relies on Qt5 (heise.de, 13.07.2016)

VirtualBox 5.0

• Most important renewals (excerpt) in version 5.0:
  • USB 3.0 support
  • Improved Drag&Drop
  • Disk-Image encryption
• Complete changelogs: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
• More information: ** Virtualization software VirtualBox 5.0 presented: USB-3.0-support and better performance (heise.de, 10.07.2015)

VirtualBox 4.3

• Important renewals (excerpt) from in 4.3:
  • New NAT network mode (NAT Service) that allows guest systems to communicate with one another
  • Support of Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 and OS X 10.9 "Mavericks"
  • Windows 8.1 Touch Device input assistance
  • Faster 3D effects on Ubuntu or Fedora Linux guest systems
  • IPv6 is available in bridged, host, internal, and new NAT modes
• Complete changelogs: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog
• More information:
  • VirtualBox 4.3 improves network functionality (ADMIN Magazine, 16.10.2013)
  • VirtualBox 4.3 supports Multitouch (heise open, 15.10.2013)

VirtualBox 4.2

• Most important renewals (excerpt) in version 4.2:
  • Support for Windows 8 and OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion"
• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-4.2
• More information:
  • VirtualBox 4.2 supports Windows 8 and Mountain Lion (heise open, 13.09.2012)

VirtualBox 4.1

• Most important renewals (in part) in version 4.1:
  • Cloning support: vull clones can be created via GUI and VBoxManage, linked clones via VBoxManage
  • GUI: new/extended wizards for creating new virtual disks or for copying virtual disks
  • Memory limit on 64-bit hosts now 1 TB
  • Experimental support for PCI passthrough on Linux hosts
  • Windows guest systems: experimental WDDM graphic driver with Windows Aero and Direct3D support
  • Network: new connection mode Generic Driver
  • New network mode UDP tunnel: allows the connection of VMs that run on different hosts
  • Experimental support for SATA HDD Hotplugging with VBoxManage
• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-4.1
• More information:
  • Oracle publishes VirtualBox 4.1 (heise open, 19.07.2011)
  • Release: Oracle VirtualBox 4.1.0 (virtualization.info)

VirtualBox 4.0

• Current maintenance release: 4.0.12 (2011-07-15)
• Most important renewals (in part) from version 4.0:
  • Extension packs for expansions
  • New settings and disk file format
  • New GUI (VirtualBox Manager)
  • Improved OVF support
• Possible limitation of CPU time and I/O bandwidth of a VM
• Support for asynchronem I/O für iSCSI, VMDK, VHD and Parallels Image files
  • Support for multiple screens in Linux and Solaris guests with X.Org servers from version 1.3
• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-4.0
• More information:
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 4.0 (virtualization.info)

VirtualBox 3.2

• Most important renewals (in part):
  • Memory Ballooning (only on 64-Bit hosts)
  • CPU hot-plug for Linux (hot-add and hot-remove) and some Windows guests (only hot-add)
  • LsiLogic SAS controller emulation
• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-3.2
• More information:
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.12 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.10 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.8 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.6 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.4 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2.2 (virtualization.info)
  • Release: Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2 (virtualization.info)

VirtualBox 3.1

• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-3.1

VirtualBox 3.0

• Complete changelogs: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Changelog-3.0

More information

• http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirtualBox

Author: Werner Fischer Werner Fischer, working in the Knowledge Transfer team at Thomas-Krenn, completed his studies of Computer and Media Security at FH Hagenberg in Austria. He is a regular speaker at many conferences like LinuxTag, OSMC, OSDC, LinuxCon, and author for various IT magazines. In his spare time he enjoys playing the piano and training for a good result at the annual Linz marathon relay.

Translator: Alina Ranzinger Alina has been working at Thomas-Krenn.AG since 2024. After her training as multilingual business assistant, she got her job as assistant of the Product Management and is responsible for the translation of texts and for the organisation of the department.