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Installing Debian on Ubuntu via VirtualBox

Installing Debian on Ubuntu via VirtualBox
JC Brian Refugia
Technical writer
Debian Ubuntu
29.03.2024
Reading time: 3 min

In the world of Linux distributions, the connection between Debian and Ubuntu is a remarkable combination of reliability, variety, and use. While both Debian and Ubuntu are capable operating systems in their own right, the ability to install Debian atop Ubuntu opens up a world of possibilities, providing users with a distinct set of features and benefits that distinguish it from other solutions.

In this article, deep dive into how to install Debian on Ubuntu and how the two well-known distributions work together seamlessly. Discover the benefits and advantages of this hybrid architecture, which provides users with unrivaled customization, software diversity, and system reliability.

Prerequisites

  • System running in Ubuntu
  • User with Root access on the terminal
  • At least 10GB disk space (recommended 20GB)
  • At least 512 GB RAM (recommended 4GB)
  • Debian ISO file (will be described below)
  • VirtualBox (will be described below)

Once all requirements are met, proceed with installation.

Installing VirtualBox

  1. Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu.

Access the terminal and update the package index.

sudo apt-get update

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  1. Run the below command to install and type yes or y to proceed.

sudo apt-get install virtualbox

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  1. Check if installation was successful by running the command:

sudo dpkg -l virtualbox

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Or login to Ubuntu Desktop and look for VirtualBox on the application search box.

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After successful installation of VirtualBox, it is now ready to install Debian.

Installing Debian with VirtualBox

To install Debian, follow the instruction below:

  1. Download the Debian ISO file on official website of Debian: https://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/current/amd64/iso-dvd/. Wait for download to finish.

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  1. Launch the VirtualBox and click New.

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  1. Create the Debian machine and name it.

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  1. Allocate the required memory and click Next.

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  1. Select the hard disk file type and click Next.

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  1. Choose if the hard disk is dynamically or fixed sized then click Next.

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  1. Allocate the required size of disk and click Create.

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  1. Validate details and click start to proceed with installation.

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  1. Locate the Debian ISO file that has been downloaded on the previous step.

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Select your Debian ISO file.

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Click Start.

  1. Follow the instruction prompt.

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  1. Reply to the system's prompts such as selecting the language and location.

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  1. Wait for the installation to complete. Once done, it will look like below. 

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Debian installation is successful.

Conclusion

As technology advances and user expectations increase, Debian and Ubuntu's collaboration paves the road for open-source innovation and excellence. Embracing this synergy not only improves individual users' capacities, but it also adds to the global advancement of Linux-based solutions. Hostman allows you to launch a server for as low as $4 per month, in case you were wondering.

Debian Ubuntu
29.03.2024
Reading time: 3 min

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How to Install and Configure VNC on Debian

The term Virtual Network Computing (VNC) refers to a system for remote access to a computer’s desktop environment. It allows users to interact with the interface, access files on storage, run applications, and modify operating system settings. A similar approach is used for managing virtual machines rented from providers like Hostman. This guide will walk you through setting up a VNC server on a VPS/VDS running Debian, with a secure connection established over SSH. For this example, we’ll use the TightVNC utility, known for its reliable performance even over low-speed connections and seamless file transfers in both directions (to and from the server). Technical Requirements Before starting, ensure you have a prepared Debian server, either in the cloud or locally. Apart from having the operating system ready, it's recommended to configure both a root user and a sudo user (the former without privileges and the latter with them). Additionally, you must allow SSH connections through the firewall. You will need the following: A machine running Windows or macOS. A pre-installed VNC client such as TightVNC, RealVNC, or UltraVNC on Windows, or Screen Sharing on macOS. Alternatively, if you are using another Linux machine, you can install a VNC client such as Vinagre, KRDC, RealVNC, or TightVNC. Installing the VNC Server and Desktop Environment By default, a Debian server doesn’t have a graphical interface for easier management, nor does it include a remote management tool. Therefore, the first step is to install both. In this example, we’ll use the Xfce desktop environment and TightVNC, both of which are available in Debian’s official repository. 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Initial VNC Configuration Run the following command to start configuring the VNC server: vncserver The program will prompt you to set a password for connecting to the remote system: You will require a password to access your desktops.Password:Verify: The password must be between 6 and 8 characters long. If a longer password is entered, it will be automatically truncated. Additionally, you can set up a view-only mode, where the connected user can only observe the desktop without being able to control the keyboard or mouse. This mode is useful for demonstrations. After entering both passwords, the utility will generate a configuration file: Would you like to enter a view-only password (y/n)? nxauth:  file /home/username/.Xauthority does not existNew 'X' desktop is your_hostname:1Creating default startup script /home/username/.vnc/xstartupStarting applications specified in /home/username/.vnc/xstartupLog file is /home/username/.vnc/your_hostname:1.log Configuring the VNC Server The VNC server needs to be configured so that it knows what commands to execute upon startup—for example, specifying the desktop environment to be launched when a connection is established. These startup instructions are located in the xstartup file, which resides in the .vnc subdirectory of the home directory. This file is automatically created when you launch the vncserver for the first time.  In this guide, we’ll modify the configuration to launch the Xfce graphical interface upon startup. By default, VNC communicates with remote hosts using port 5901, also known as the display port for "display 1". Additional instances can be started on ports 5902, 5903, etc. Stop the VNC Server Before configuring VNC on Debian, stop the currently running instance with the following command: vncserver -kill :1 The output will look something like this: Killing Xtightvnc process ID 17648 Backup the Original Configuration File It’s a good practice to create a backup of the original xstartup file, so you can easily revert the settings if anything goes wrong: mv ~/.vnc/xstartup ~/.vnc/xstartup.bak Create and Edit a New xstartup File Now, generate a new xstartup file and open it for editing using a text editor (in this case, nano): nano ~/.vnc/xstartup The commands you add to this file will be automatically executed when the VNC server starts or restarts. 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