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VirtualBox Manager

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VirtualBox Manager

VirtualBox Manager is the web GUI in Tools for managing VirtualBox hosts.

  • Local hosts are executed directly with VBoxManage on the Tools server.
  • Remote hosts are executed over SSH on the target host.

Route: /admin/virtualbox

Access

  • Requires login
  • Requires permission: virtualbox.manage

What you can do

  • Register one or many VirtualBox servers (host, port, username, password)
  • Keep servers grouped in dedicated sections
  • Expand each server to see all VMs in a compact first view
  • Start, stop, restart, and delete VMs
  • Run most operations via AJAX (no full-page postback for normal operations)
  • Apply core VM settings from the same panel:
    • Memory (MB)
    • CPU count
    • VRAM (MB)
    • Primary boot device
  • Create new VMs from the same server card with setup defaults:
    • Network mode: bridged (default)
    • Memory: 1024 MB (default)
    • Disk: 25 GB (default)
    • Optional install ISO attachment

How to add a server

  1. Open /admin/virtualbox
  2. Fill in:
    • Label
    • Host
    • Port (default 22 for SSH)
    • Username
    • Password
  3. Save
  4. Click Test connection

If your credentials and host are valid, the server card loads VM inventory directly.

Remote host requirements (SSH mode)

  • SSH access must be enabled on the remote host.
  • The configured user must be able to run VBoxManage.
  • sshpass must be installed on the Tools host when using password-based SSH.
  • If your remote host uses a non-standard SSH port, set that port on the server card.

New VM setup flow

Each server segment now includes a Create new VM section.

Required:

  • VM name

Optional (pre-filled defaults):

  • OS type (Other_64 by default)
  • Memory (1024)
  • Disk size in GB (25)
  • CPU count (1)
  • Network mode (bridged default)
  • Bridge adapter (Auto uses first detected bridged adapter)
  • Install ISO path (optional)

This setup flow intentionally focuses on practical VM provisioning without requiring unattended/autoinstall.

Installable ISO support

  • Tools now checks server-registered DVD media via VirtualBox and exposes those paths in the VM setup datalist.
  • ISO attach remains optional; if omitted, VM is created as a disk-only setup ready for later install media attachment.
  • If ISO inventory lookup fails for a server, the create form still works with manual ISO path input.

VM operation notes

  • Start: starts VM headless
  • Stop: sends ACPI power button signal
  • Restart: sends reset
  • Delete: unregisters VM and removes attached files/disks (unregistervm --delete)

Use delete with care.

Security notes

  • Server passwords are stored encrypted in Tools database.
  • VM actions are executed server-side by Tools using VBoxManage:
    • direct local CLI for localhost targets,
    • SSH command execution for remote targets.
  • Only users with virtualbox.manage can access this panel.

Current scope

This release focuses on a practical MVP with professional grouped UI and operational control.

Planned later enhancements may include:

  • Fine-grained delegation per server/VM
  • Richer storage/network editor sections
  • Better live state refresh and longer-running task handling