The guest system will run in its virtual machine (VM) as if it were installed on a real computer, according to the parameters of the virtual system you have created for it. All software running on the guest system does so as it would on a real machine. You have considerable latitude in deciding what virtual hardware will be provided to the guest. The virtual hardware can be used for communicating with the host system or with other guests. For instance, if you provide VirtualBox with the image of a CD-ROM in an ISO file, VirtualBox can present this image to a guest system as if it were a physical CD-ROM. Similarly, you can give a guest system access to the real network via its virtual network card, and, if you choose, give the host system, other guests, or computers on the internet access to the guest system.

The VirtualBox Guest Additions The previous chapter covered getting started with VirtualBox and installing operating systems. For any serious and interactive use, the VirtualBox Guest Additions will make your life much easier by providing closer integration between host and guest and improving the interactive performance of guest systems.

VirtualBox: installation instructions in two separate chapters for Windows and Linux, respectivelyInstallationAs installation of VirtualBox varies depending on your host operating system, we provide installation instructions in two separate chapters for Windows and Linux, respectively.