How to Use Virtual Machine in Linux Mint?

Virtual machines (VMs) have revolutionized the way we interact with and manage operating systems. In the Linux world, one popular distribution that enthusiasts often choose is Linux Mint. If you're eager to explore the versatility of virtualization within the Linux Mint environment, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of using a virtual machine on Linux Mint, providing step-by-step instructions and essential commands.

Setting Up Virtualization:

Before diving into virtual machines, ensure that your Linux Mint system has the necessary tools for virtualization. The default hypervisor for Linux is KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine). To install it, open a terminal and type the following command:

sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-clients libvirt-daemon-system bridge-utils virtinst virt-manager

This command installs the required packages for virtualization, including the Virtual Machine Manager (virt-manager) which provides a user-friendly interface.

Creating a Virtual Machine:

Once the installation is complete, launch the Virtual Machine Manager. You can do this by typing:

virt-manager

This will open the Virtual Machine Manager, where you can create and manage your virtual machines.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Click on the "Create a new virtual machine" button.
2. Choose the installation method – either from a local ISO or a network location.
3. Select the operating system type and version. For Linux Mint, choose "Linux" and then "Ubuntu" as the version.
4. Allocate the desired amount of RAM and CPU cores to the virtual machine.
5. Create a virtual hard disk or use an existing one.
6. Customize other settings like network configuration, display resolution, and device options.
7. Finish the setup and start the virtual machine.

Commands for Virtual Machine Management:

Here are some essential commands for managing virtual machines from the command line:

• Start a virtual machine: virsh start VM_NAME
• Stop a virtual machine: virsh shutdown VM_NAME
• Restart a virtual machine: virsh reboot VM_NAME
• View the status of all virtual machines: virsh list --all

More Examples:

1. Snapshot Management:

   • Take a snapshot: virsh snapshot-create-as --domain VM_NAME --name SNAPSHOT_NAME
   • Revert to a snapshot: virsh snapshot-revert VM_NAME SNAPSHOT_NAME

2. Clone a Virtual Machine:

   • Clone a virtual machine: virt-clone --original=VM_NAME --name=CLONE_NAME --file=/path/to/new/image.qcow2

3. Sharing Files with the Host:

   • Use the shared folder feature in Virtual Machine Manager for easy file exchange between the host and virtual machine.

Virtual machines provide a powerful and flexible way to explore and test different operating systems within the Linux Mint environment. With the Virtual Machine Manager and the provided commands, you can easily create, manage, and customize your virtual machines to suit your needs.