Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Discussions about using Linux guests in VirtualBox.
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codeeditor
Posts: 6
Joined: 21. Jun 2013, 13:13

Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Post by codeeditor »

Hi
Recently moved from Vmware to Virtualbox so hello community! I'm installed locally Ubuntu Server 12.04 x86 Guest on Windows 7 Machine just for local LAMP usage. Configured NAT and Host-Only Network - everything working perfectly. As well I'm installed Virtualbox Guest Additions on Ubuntu Server. I have questions: Do I really need to install Virtualbox Guest Additions on Ubuntu Server x86 Virtual Machine? I'm not using Virtualbox shared folders feature (just Samba) so wondering if Installation of Guest Additions will Give me anything?

I was reading documentation "Chapter 4. Guest Additions" but still can't found out what's the advantages of installing and using Virtualbox Guest Additions in this case.

Cheers
mpack
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Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Post by mpack »

The GAs are not mandatory in any VM. As always, the GAs give you simple shared folders, the convenience of an integrated mouse cursor, and better/faster graphics, plus a few other more obscure things (e.g. guestcontrol). It's up to you whether you need or want these things.
codeeditor
Posts: 6
Joined: 21. Jun 2013, 13:13

Re: Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Post by codeeditor »

It's Server edition so there is no need to use extra features in this case. Thanks for the quick answer. It's not giving me any performance or stability gain when using x86 Linux guest? Just memory management features only when using x64 guest? Guest Addition doesnt help anyway to configure network adapters automatically, yes?
Perryg
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VBox Version: OSE self-compiled
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Re: Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Post by Perryg »

There are only two features that you can even use from the guest additions on a server since you do not have X installed.
Time sync and shared folders. You may need the time sync since the guest OS clock usually does not work properly.
If you do find that you need the GAs, install with the tag --nox11 at the end.
codeeditor
Posts: 6
Joined: 21. Jun 2013, 13:13

Re: Do I need to install Guest Addition on Ubuntu Server?

Post by codeeditor »

Thank you very much!
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