Fedora 16 (Verne) Install Guide on Virtual Machine (VirtualBox)

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This is a simple guide for users who would like to test Fedora 16 (Verne) on a virtual machine. I am testing Fedora 16 (64-bit) Desktop Edition on the latest version of VirtualBox residing on Windows PC. I think the installation process will be similar to other virtual machine.

For those who like to install Fedora 16 on a separate partition instead of virtual machine, please check out the post: Fedora 16 Desktop Editions Install Guide 


Getting Fedora 16
  • You can download the latest version of Fedora at http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora-options. 
  • Under Fedora 16 Desktop Edition 64-bit, click download now. You will download a disk image named Fedora-16-x86_64-Live-Desktop.
  • Place it under a folder and link it to the Virtual Media Manager in VirtualBox.

Hardware Requirement / Virtual Machine Setup
The official hardware requirement doesn't apply since you are installing into a virtual machine. Listed below is my suggestion on the setup of VirtualBox profile.
  • The default of 768MB RAM is sufficient, I usually use 1024MB out of the total of 4GB.
  • The default 8GB hard disk limit is sufficient. You might want to increase it if you intend to throw every piece of Linux software in it. Remember to use dynamic disk sizing.
  • You can choose to use 1 or 2 or more processor depending on your CPU. This is optional.
  • If you would like to use GNOME 3, you need to use at least 128MB of video RAM and you need to enable 3D Acceleration. 

GNOME 3 Caution
Please note that when you install Fedora 16 for the first time, GNOME 3 will not work. The system will switch to GNOME fallback mode. GNOME fallback mode is similar to the previous version of Fedora.
For GNOME 3 to work, you'll need to install VirtualBox Linux Guest Additions.

Getting Help
You can use the more comprehensive installation guide provided by Fedora. There are also many documents, HOW-TO and installation guide at http://fedoraproject.org.
You can also check out the following forums:
Finally, you can search the web for answer if the previous options does not provide you with satisfactory answer.

Important Features and Changes
The major enhancements are as follows (Extracted from Fedora 16 Release Notes):
  • Enhanced cloud support including Aeolus Conductor, Condor Cloud, HekaFS, OpenStack and pacemaker-cloud
  • KDE Plasma workspaces 4.7
  • GNOME 3.2
  • A number of core system improvements including GRUB 2 and the removal of HAL.
  • An updated libvirtd, trusted boot, guest inspection, virtual lock manager and a pvops based kernel for Xen all improve virtualization support.
For further information please check out Fedora 16 Release Notes.



Installing Fedora 16 (Verne)
After downloaded the ISO image file, there is no need to burn the disk image. You need to place the dis image under a folder and link the disk in Virtual Media Manager.
 
As mentioned earlier, once you boot up Fedora 16 Live CD/DVD. It will report that GNOME 3 does not load properly and the system switch to fallback mode.

  

The desktop of Fedora 16 running in GNOME fallback mode looks like this:


Start Installation
To start installation, select Applications >> System Tools >> Install to Hard Disk. The first screen appears and you need to select the keyboard. Select the keyboard you prefer, otherwise use the default "US English".


Click next. 


Select "Basic Storage"


This warning message only appears when it detects a brand new hard disk. It is normal for virtual machine. Select "Yes, discard any data".


You can change the host name (Network name that identify this computer) to something more meaning full or you can leave it as default.


You select the suitable time zone. I usually un-check "System clock uses UTC". Click next.


Now, you have to enter the root password. Click next when done.


For installation of Fedora on actual hard disk partition, you might need to modify the partitions. For virtual machine, you can just leave it as default.

  

This is the final warning before any changes is make to the hard disk. Click "Write Changes to Disk".


The system starts creating the system partition and copy the system image into the hard disk. This may take a while. Have a cup of coffee or tea.

Finally, when the installation is complete, you can reboot the system.

Note: For VirtualBox users, remember to disable the disk image. Otherwise the system will boot from the disk image again. You can choose to shutdown the system and remove the disk image before rebooting the virtual machine.


Post Installation Setup
After system reboot, you need to perform additional setup.

Click Forward


Click Forward again.


You can choose to synchronize your system clock over the network using NTP. Click Forward after you've made the choice.

This is the important part. You need to create a new user. Enter the full name, username and password. Remember to check "Add to Administrators group".


Finally, the system will suggest that you send the hardware profile to Fedora for analysis. Since this is a virtual machine, the hardware profile is meaningless to Fedora. Select "Do not send profile".

Finally the system will prompt you to login. This completes the installation process. Please note that you still need to update the system and perform post installation configuration.


Updates (Important)
After installation, you need to update the system. You can use the menu options, Applications >> System Tools >> Software Updates. Alternatively, you can use the command:
  • $sudo yum update

Installing VirtualBox Linux Guest Additions

After updating the system, you need to install VirtualBox Linux Guest Additions in order to run GNOME 3 and share folders with the host system. The installation procedure is located in the post Install VirtualBox Linux Guest Additions for Fedora 16.

Post Installation Configuration
Post installation configuration refers to installation and configuration of the necessary software you required. Check out this post Fedora Software Installation and Configuration Guide (Fedora 15/16).

Additional Post

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