Move and clone VirtualBox machines with filesystem commands

Posted by mit on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by mit
Published on 2010-12-22T17:54:34Z Indexed on 2010/12/22 17:56 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 192

Filed under:

linux

|

virtualization

|

command-line

|

virtualbox

|

cloning

I know of 2 ways to clone a VirtualBox machine on a linux host, one is by using the VirtualBox gui and exporting and re-importing as Appliance (in the file menu of VirtualBox).

The other is by cloning only the virtual disk containers:

VBoxManage clonevdi source.vdi target.vdi

(Taken from http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?p=853#p858 )

I would have to create a new VM afterwards and use the cloned virtual disk.

Is there a way I can just copy a virtual disk and the and do the rest by hand?

I'd have to manually edit the ~/VirtualBox/VirtualBox.xml and insert a new disk and a new machine:

Can I just make up UUIDs or how would this work?

I would very much prefer this hardcore method of doing things as it allows me to freely and rapdily backup, restore, move or clone machines. Or ist there a better way to do this?

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about linux

apt-get install and update fail

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I've got a problem with apt-get update and apt-get install ... commands . every time update or installing fails and errors are : Get:1 http://dl.google.com stable Release.gpg [198B] Ign http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable/main Translation-en_US Get:2 http://dl… >>> More
kernel module compiling error

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
sh@ubuntu:/home/ccpp/helloworld$ make gcc-4.6 -O2 -DMODULE -D_KERNEL_ -W -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -Wmissing-prototypes -isystem /lib/modules/`uname -r`/build/include -c -o hello-1.o hello-1.c hello-1.c:4:0: warning: "MODULE" redefined [enabled by default] <command-line>:0:0: note: this is… >>> More
Build-Essentials installation failing

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I am having trouble accessing the several critical header files that show to be a part of the build process. The "Ubuntu Software Center" shows "Build Essentials" as installed: Next I did the following two commands, which did not improve the problem: ~$ sudo apt-get install build-essential [sudo]… >>> More
Updating Debian kernel

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I'm trying to update my Debian machine to 2.6.32-46 (which is the new stable). However, after doing apt-get update my apt-cache search linux-image shows me: linux-headers-2.6.32-5-486 - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-486 linux-headers-2.6.32-5-686-bigmem - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-686-bigmem linux-headers-2… >>> More
Serial connection over a single USB cable (Windows to linux, or linux to linux)

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm helping out with a project for an embedded device that only has USB and no serial. This device is running Linux. These days, when we need to connect to a serial port on a device we typically use a USB to serial adapter (on something like a phone system or a load balancing device, etc). I would… >>> More

Related posts about virtualization

Storage Virtualization, Redux: Arise File Virtualization

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
As virtual storage finds its way into enterprises, file-level and block-level virtualization are most talked-about approaches. Block-level virtualization has already captured the hearts of many firms. Now, file-level virtualization is gearing up for a second coming. >>> More
Free Oracle Special Edition eBook - Server Virtualization for Dummies

as seen on Oracle Blogs - Search for 'Oracle Blogs'
Oracle has released a quick and easy-to-read guide on Oracle Virtualization. Now available is "Server Virtualization for Dummies," an Oracle Special Edition eBook. Need to virtualize, but not sure where to start? Virtualization should make things simpler, not more complex. … >>> More
Reducing Virtualization's Storage Demands

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
They're early in development, but some new technologies hold promise for reducing server virtualization's demand on storage environments. >>> More
Storage Virtualization Gets Serious

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
Virtually Speaking: A torrent of products are being unleashed to meet the challenges of backing up virtual machines. From cloud storage to golden image management, virtualization technologies for storage are on the move. >>> More
Helping Storage Keep Up With Server Virtualization

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
If you virtualize your server environment without taking storage into consideration, your performance will likely suffer. >>> More