VBoxManage sharedfolder C:/ not kept in OVA

[axel3rd]

Hello,

I'm creating a VirtualBox OVA (with packer), to have a small Linux (Ubuntu) usable on Windows.
A main feature is to have the host C: shared in guest host. It is working like a charm when OVA packaged on Windows.

When the OVA is packaged on MacOS (the only non-virtualized OS I have in CI process), the C: shared folder configuration is lost ; ie: When OVA is imported on Windows, the shared folder configuration is empty.

Technically, the

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VBoxManage sharedfolder add vm-name-xxx --name c --hostpath C:/ --automount

has no error but seems but seems no impact

Due to sharing C: is perhaps specific to Windows host, is there some know limitation with this command is passed on Linux(-like) host ?

Infos:

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~$uname -a
Darwin xxxx 17.7.0 Darwin Kernel Version 17.7.0: xxxx

~$ VBoxManage --version
5.2.18r124319

Many thanks in advance of any idea or tips.
Best regards

[axel3rd]

My apology, my previous description was false ; VBoxManage is explicit about errors when used manually (outside packer):

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~$ VBoxManage sharedfolder add "my-vm-xxx" --name c --hostpath "C:" --automount
VBoxManage: error: Shared folder path 'C:' is not absolute
VBoxManage: error: Details: code NS_ERROR_INVALID_ARG (0x80070057), component SharedFolderWrap, interface ISharedFolder, callee nsISupports
VBoxManage: error: Context: "CreateSharedFolder(Bstr(name).raw(), Bstr(hostpath).raw(), fWritable, fAutoMount)" at line 1031 of file VBoxManageMisc.cpp

There is no error when command is like:

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~$ VBoxManage sharedfolder add  "my-vm-xxx" --name c --hostpath "/C:" --automount

... but in this case, when OVA is imported under Windows and started, there is error about sharing folder: The shared folder 'c' could not be set up: Shared folder path '/C:' is not absolute

I should find a format supported on cross-hosts (Windows/MacOS/Linux).

[mpack]

What it says. "C:" is a not a path. "C:\" is a path, but only on Windows hosts, whereas this is the Mac hosts forum.

Incidentally, it is incredibly unwise to share the root folder of your drive with a VM, unless you particularly want all your personal and financial details broadcast on the Internet.

[socratis]

I should find a format supported on cross-hosts (Windows/MacOS/Linux).

Unfortunately such a magic format does not exist. It's Windows that ruins the party.

[axel3rd]

What it says. "C:" is a not a path. "C:\" is a path, but only on Windows hosts, whereas this is the Mac hosts forum.

I'm fully agree, but I build this VM on a MacOS host, to have an Ubuntu usage on Windows ... with C: shared (locally on computer, for some development process, VirtualBox is more simple to use that Cygwin & co.).

Unfortunately such a magic format does not exist. It's Windows that ruins the party.

UNC path ("\\?\C:\") usage fails too . Updating the "SharedFolder" in ".vbox" file before export works ... but is is shitty.