VirtualBox 4 got a cleaned-up user interface, expanded virtual-machine configuration support and an internal reorganization in order to carry on the battle with VMware Workstation and Citrix XenDesktop. In the second release since Oracle acquired Sun, VirtualBox gained support for OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance), which is a single, compressed file of all the elements needed for a virtual appliance that conforms to the OVF (Open Virtual Machine Format)standard. Along with internal reordering that combined VirtualBox base functions to more easily enable extensions, the product rearranged the VM file structure by putting the virtual disk and configuration files for virtual machines into a single directory. The file layout changes don't affect VMs created in previous versions of VirtualBox. To read the full review, click here. Or if you have experience with VirtualBox 4, share your thoughts at http://labs.eweek.com.
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Oracle VirtualBox 4.0 Expands VM Support
by Cameron Sturdevant
Preview
The redesigned and newly renamed VirtualBox Manager now shows a guest windows preview as seen in this side-by-side screenshot.
File Layout
Without changing compatibility for users of the previous version of VirtualBox, Version 4 puts all files associated with a VM into one directory.
Base Memory
32-bit hosts can now support more than the 2GB limit.
Export Wizard
VirtualBox 4 now supports OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance), which is basically an OVF in a single, compressed file.
Appliance Import
Using an OVA file, VirtualBox 4 was able to import virtual machines that were already configured with suggested settings.
OVA
I used VirtualBox 4 to create virtual appliances that were exported in the OVA format.
Appliance Export
I used VirtualBox 4 to change virtual machine configuration values and that were used during the appliance export process.
Import Settings
I was able to configure virtual machine settings including hardware and disk image location.
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VirtualBox 4 got a cleaned-up user interface, expanded virtual-machine configuration support and an internal reorganization in order to carry on the battle with VMware Workstation and Citrix XenDesktop. In the second release since Oracle acquired Sun, VirtualBox gained support for OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance), which is a single, compressed file of all the elements needed for a virtual appliance that conforms to the OVF (Open Virtual Machine Format)standard. Along with internal reordering that combined VirtualBox base functions to more easily enable extensions, the product rearranged the VM file structure by putting the virtual disk and configuration files for virtual machines into a single directory. The file layout changes don't affect VMs created in previous versions of VirtualBox. To read the full review, click here. Or if you have experience with VirtualBox 4, share your thoughts at http://labs.eweek.com.