Guest Additions vs. Guest Tools

[w2tq]

I am running virtualbox on a Linux host with Windows guest virtual machine. In the past, I've always installed the corresponding version of guest additions, and have done so recently.

I have seen recent forum discussions and repository listings of the following packages:

virtualbox-guest-tools
virtualbox-guest-x11
virtualbox-guest-kmp-default

Although the accompanying information suggests that these are used by the virtual machine, I have not been able to locate a discussion in the vb manual or these forums that discuss their specific roles. Does the installation of the Guest Additions iso render these packages redundant?

[scottgus1]

I see that you've been in the forum long enough to post links. Can you show these other forum pages where these other tools were discussed?

"Packages" don't run on a Windows guest, only the "VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe", which appears to run either "VBoxWindowsAdditions-x86.exe" or "VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe" as needed. These are in the Guest Additions ISO CD image that comes with Virtualbox.

[fth0]

Does the installation of the Guest Additions iso render these packages redundant?

Yes, most Linux distributions supply their own version of the Guest Additions and split them into several packages. If you install e.g. OpenSUSE Linux inside a VirtualBox VM, those packages are probably installed automatically. Since the VirtualBox forums only support the original VirtualBox Guest Additions, we usually suggest to remove those packages and install the VirtualBox Guest Additions which accompany the VirtualBox Software.

[w2tq]

fth0 -

Thanks. That confirms my initial conclusion.

[scottgus1]

w2tq, glad you got the info you wanted. But I don't see hwere you were asking about Linux guests in your original post:

I am running virtualbox on a Linux host with Windows guest virtual machine.

Windows guests don't use any of those items you mentioned in your list.

[fth0]

Windows guests

Argh, I overlooked this one.

Although the accompanying information suggests that these are used by the virtual machine

The package documentation means that they are used by the Linux OS if it detects that it is itself running inside a VirtualBox VM. On a Linux host, those packages are not needed at all.