VBox is a Very Naughty App!!!

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 22. Jan 2009, 18:05

Two challenges VBox has created:

1. I use a KVM to switch between 3 - 4 real PC's. If I have VBox running and switch away using the KVM when I switch back the real PC running the VBox hangs and cant be accessed. Only resolution is a Hard Reboot. This occurs if the Guest or the Host has the Keyboard and Mouse before I switch away.

2. I tried to install the latest (2.1.2 I think) and the installation simply hangs. This process also shutsdown my network and web connections too, so a soft reboot is required to get back up again.

An uninstall and re-install fixed it though - seems like there's a new file format or something!

Any one else got comments on this naughty behaviour!.

XP Sp3 Host. ZXP SP2 Guests.

Post by **TerryE** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:03

Kahuna, this is discussed in overview in the user guide and in detail in other posts. KVM and VBox use the same virtualisation hooks, and collide. VBox does detect if another VM is being loaded.

Being pedantic, the issue is that KVM crashes the host when you try to load VBox, so KVM is the naughty App. Basically they don't mix. If you put petrol into a diesel car, you will wreck the engine. Is the car naughty or the petrol or the driver?

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:26

TerryE wrote:Kahuna, this is discussed in overview in the user guide and in detail in other posts. KVM and VBox use the same virtualisation hooks, and collide. VBox does detect if another VM is being loaded.

Being pedantic, the issue is that KVM crashes the host when you try to load VBox, so KVM is the naughty App. Basically they don't mix. If you put petrol into a diesel car, you will wreck the engine. Is the car naughty or the petrol or the driver?

No Terry - its those damn speed cameras...

Thanks for the heads up on the VBox/KVM Snafu. That's gona be a problem then!

Cheers

Post by **TerryE** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:34

I know its a real shame. Some of the software based systems do interoperate — for example you can run VMware ESX under VMware Workstation. Mind you, these are from the same supplier. Things like the use of Ring 1 as a surrogate for the guest Ring 0 is a typical cause. The guest as host is already using Ring 1. However, the real problems arise with H/W virtualisation. Both the AMD and Intel architectures aren't re-entrant. You can only have one hypervisor. You have to pick: KVM or VBox.

Post by **sandervl** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:39

Actually I think there's a misunderstanding here. KVM refers to the keyboard/mouse/display switch devices; not to the Linux KVM kernel driver.
(Windows host after all)

I'm not sure what your problem is. Is the KVM switch using old style keyboard and PS/2 mouse plugs or USB?

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:43

sandervl wrote:Actually I think there's a misunderstanding here. KVM refers to the keyboard/mouse/display switch devices; not to the Linux KVM kernel driver.
(Windows host after all)

I'm not sure what your problem is. Is the KVM switch using old style keyboard and PS/2 mouse plugs or USB?

Its a Belkin 4 port USB KVM Sander.

After switching back to the Host I cant get the keyboard or mouse to be recognised, so no option but a hard reboot!

Post by **sandervl** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:47

Then it's probably a conflict with the VBox USB driver. Could you disable USB in your guest and try again?

Please open a ticket on our bug tracker. Thanks!

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 22. Jan 2009, 19:51

sandervl wrote:Then it's probably a conflict with the VBox USB driver. Could you disable USB in your guest and try again?

Please open a ticket on our bug tracker. Thanks!

I've got a webinar in 10 mis so I'll give it a go in a couple of hours Sander.

If not working I'll open a ticket.

Cheers

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 23. Jan 2009, 12:04

Hi Folks - I fixed the crashing and hanging after a return from a KVM switch. I turned off USB support completely in the Guest as suggested by Sander.

I noticed that the Guest (just before it crashed) was attempting to install the USB equipment (my KVM) and of course it cant be switched because it does not have a direct KVM connection. I guess that's what made it hang.

What I'd like to know is this: Can I re-instate USB (so I can use other mem sticks etc) but exclude the installation of the KVM?

Post by **sandervl** » 23. Jan 2009, 12:06

Did you add the KVM device to the list of devices to capture then? (or the attached keyboard/mouse)

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 23. Jan 2009, 12:35

sandervl wrote:Did you add the KVM device to the list of devices to capture then? (or the attached keyboard/mouse)

No I did'nt add it at all, but as soon as the KVM is activated the Guest recognises the USB connection and attempts to install the device, and this is where it hangs.

I just used the New Filter for the USB setting.

Post by **sandervl** » 23. Jan 2009, 12:39

That doesn't make any sense. We don't give USB devices to the guest unless explicitly told to do so. Can you confirm that this happens with USB enabled, but without any filters?

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 23. Jan 2009, 13:09

sandervl wrote:That doesn't make any sense. We don't give USB devices to the guest unless explicitly told to do so. Can you confirm that this happens with USB enabled, but without any filters?

Sander - no it does not hang when the USB is enabled but no filter selected. Probably sent you on a 'wild goose chase' there, as I though I needed a filter for any USB to work.

Post by **sandervl** » 23. Jan 2009, 13:11

You only need a filter for the device(s) you wish to use inside the guest. We should probably rework the GUI interface for this as it tends to confuse people.

Kahuna · Post by **Kahuna** » 23. Jan 2009, 13:18

sandervl wrote:You only need a filter for the device(s) you wish to use inside the guest. We should probably rework the GUI interface for this as it tends to confuse people.

Thanks Sander - that makes a lot of sense. Appreciate the help

So its not so naughty after all