Beginner needs help with configuring Ubuntu Server 9.10

[woodsytime]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to setup a virtual server on my laptop so I can test out Server Side Scripting.

My OS is Windows Vista SP2 and I've installed Ubuntu Server 9.10 (32bit version).

I seem to have got the server running via VirtualBox (vers 3.1.4).

I'm now looking to edit the xml configuration file for my virtual machine (which is called 'webdev_ubuntu'), so I can access it from the host system.

I've accessed my xml at this location (users/keith/.VirtualBox/Machines/WebDev_Ubuntu/WebDev_Ubuntu.xml.

The tutotial I'm following has told me to add some extra attributes/nodes (whatever they're called in xml??!! - still learning!) to the xml file. After I do this, this is what happens:

- I save the xml file
- I start up the virtual machine
- open my browser (Firefox 3.5) and type in 'http://localhost:8888/' to connect to the default Apache page. However, Firefox states its unable to connect.
- I then open up my xml config file again and the extra attributes/nodes I've added have been removed????

This tutorial is the tutorial I'm following if it helps. I've got to the section headed...'Accessing the Virtual Server from the Host System'...where I'm now stuck!

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Perryg]

First thing that I can tell you is to not cross post your topics.

The next thing you need to do is read the VirtualBox Users Guide.
You do not want to edit the xml's manually but instead use the VBoxManage command to run commands against it.
See Chapter 8. VBoxManage

We could tell more about your problem if you post the below:
From the host terminal/command windows VBoxManage showvminfo <VM Name> --details --machinereadable and post here. Replace <VM Name> with the actual name of the VM. Use "" if the name has a space in it.
As well as the results of ipconfig /all (windows) and ifconfig -a (linux)

[alromeromx]

Hi woodsytime:

You need to read the 6.3.1 Configuring port forwarding with NAT section in the VirtualBox user's manual, where you'll learn how to add the extra data to your configuration with the following lines:
VBoxManage setextradata "Linux Guest"
"VBoxInternal/Devices/pcnet/0/LUN#0/Config/guestssh/Protocol" TCP
VBoxManage setextradata "Linux Guest"
"VBoxInternal/Devices/pcnet/0/LUN#0/Config/guestssh/GuestPort" 22
VBoxManage setextradata "Linux Guest"
"VBoxInternal/Devices/pcnet/0/LUN#0/Config/guestssh/HostPort" 2222


As Perryg mentioned, you can't modify your xml configuration file directly; you need to use the VBoxManage command.

Alternatively, you could download a pre-configured virtual appliance from Turnkey Linux, for example, and install a pre-configured LAMP Ubuntu server or some other server that suits your needs.

Regards,

Alfonso