VirtualBox Introduces New Features, Some Experimental
The free virtualization product VirtualBox has released a new version 2.1 that not only supports 3D graphics, but the full VMDK and VHD formats from VMware and Microsoft.
VirtualBox 2.1 is the first virtualization project from Sun Microsystems to provide hardware-based 3D support on an OpenGL foundation. Direct3D support, as offered by VMware, was deferred to a future release. Although all the various supported platforms include the experimental 3D acceleration feature, only Windows guest setups can actually use it. The software also supports 64-bit guests on 32-bit hosts, again on an experimental basis only.
Notably, the new VirtualBox fully supports the virtual machine file formats from VMware (.vmdk) and Microsoft (.vhd). Initial testing by this magazine, however, showed that VirtualBox ignores existing VMware snapshots.
One major enhancement involving the network is a new NAT engine that should provide "significantly better" performance and reliability, along with ICMP echo (ping) support. The changelog contains the complete list of new VirtualBox 2.1 feature and fixes.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
Huh
And i've tried Virtualbox 2.1 recently on my own Vista-based system. Will have to admit,
if I get XP installed as guest, I'll have to try it with 3D Opengl game/program.
Tom