How to install CentOS into VirtualBox (Including Guest Additions)

1. Create VM

• 16GB Dynamic Drive
• 2 vCPU
• 2GB RAM
• PAE
• 128MB Video
• 3D Acceleration

2. Install OS

• Attach DVD Image
• Start
• Test Media (Optional)
• Right-Ctrl is the default host key (to free mouse and keyboard)
• Basic storage devices
• Use All Space
• Desktop Install
• Create your non-root user
• Put this user in wheel group so they can use sudo
• Use su - and then visudo to uncomment wheel group in sudoers

3. Configure network

• Network cards are unconnected by default
• Connect using network manager (right-click icon at top of screen and edit connection)
• If you need to clone VM, remove or edit network card entry in /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-net.rules and remove card in Network Manager

4a. Patch (GUI)

• You only need to do 4a. or 4b. not both!
• Need to update before compiling Guest Additions else newly downloaded software will not match existing versions
• System > Administration > Software Update

• First update to update the updater
• Second update to update the OS
• Reboot

4b. Patch (CLI)

• sudo yum update
• Reboot

5a. Add RPMForge repo (GUI)

• Download latest RPMforge release from http://pkgs.repoforge.org/rpmforge-release
• As of writing for x86 this is http://pkgs.repoforge.org/rpmforge-release/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el6.rf.x86_64.rpm
• Open using Package Installer
• Install when offered

5b. Add RPMForge repo (CLI)

• Download repo RPM  using wget http://pkgs.repoforge.org/rpmforge-release/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el6.rf.x86_64.rpm
• install rpm -i rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el6.rf.x86_64.rpm

6a. Install DKMS (GUI)

• System > Administration > Add/Remove Software
• Search for dkms
• Install accepting dependencies

6b. Install DKMS (CLI)

• sudo yum install dkms

7a. Install development tools (GUI)

• System > Administration > Add/Remove Software
• Expand Development and then expand Development tools
• Select all packages and then apply

7b. Install development tools (CLI)

• sudo yum groupinstall “Development Tools”

8a. Install Guest Additions (GUI)

• Insert Guest Additions CD image (Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image…)
• Click Open Autorun Prompt > OK > Run
• Eject CD
• Reboot

8b. Install Guest Additions (CLI)

• Insert Guest Additions CD image (Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image…)
• Cancel pop-up
• cd /media/VBOXADDITIONS_4.x.xx_xxxxx/
• sudo ./VBOXLinuxAdditions.run
• cd /
• Eject CD

• Reboot