dkms

[coke]

Hi,

I am new to Virtualbox and I have a very basic question. Do I install dkms in host or guest? or both? Thanks!

[Perryg]

dkms is a Linux thing. Since your host says Windows you don't need it there.

[coke]

Thanks for your reply and information.

I have Virtualbox 4.1.4 installed in my Windows 7. Then I have installed centos 6.0 (i386) as the guest. When I install guest additions, I meet this problem.

Building the main Guest Additions module [FAILED]
(Look at /var/log/vboxadd-install.log to find out what went wrong)

------- here is the log --------

/tmp/vbox.0/Makefile.include.header:94: *** Error: unable to find the sources of your current Linux kernel. Specify KERN_DIR=<directory> and run Make again. Stop.
Creating user for the Guest Additions.
Creating udev rule for the Guest Additions kernel module.

I am wondering what I need to do in my guest centos. Surely no need to install dkms for now.

Any suggestions please?

Thanks!

[Sasquatch]

Did you check the Tutorials and Rules/FAQ section where you can find my guide like Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions + Xorg config?

[coke]

Yes, I have read it and it seems I need to install dkms in my guest OS... Here are the completed list. Perryg just says I don't need to install it if my host is windows...

dkms
binutils
gcc
make
patch
libgomp
glibc-headers
glibc-devel
kernel-headers
kernel-devel OR kernel-pae-devel

[Sasquatch]

Ok, 'cause the error suggests you're missing the kernel headers or kernel devel package. You have to make sure you have the correct version. Did you do a full upgrade and a reboot prior to the installation?

[coke]

Ah, Thanks!

I will do it tonight and post it later what I have.

[mpack]

In fact, Perry told you it wasn't needed in your host - after you asked if it needed to be installed on both. You were never told not to install it in the guest.

[coke]

Thanks to everyone here! My guest additions rocks after I do a full update

@mpack, thanks for the clarification! My bad, I was totally out of my mind yesterday. I was trying to ask if I need to install both if both host and guest are linux. My understanding is that I only need to install it in guest. Guest only!

[Perryg]

If your host is Linux and you are using VirtualBox or any other proprietary driver you should install dkms on the host as well so that when they update the OS kernel the drivers are updated as well. If you decide to not install dkms you will need to re-compile the drivers manually.

[coke]

Crystal clear! Thanks Perryg! Once I feel comfortable with VB in Windows, I will install it in my Mac and Ubuntu desktop. It is awesome!

cheers!