Oracle VM VirtualBox is a popular open-source virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. Here is a review of its features, pros and cons, and conclusion.
Features:
Support for a wide range of guest operating systems including Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris, and others.
Allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine.
Virtual machines can be managed through a GUI or command line interface.
Support for various virtual disk formats, including VDI, VMDK, and others.
Virtual machines can be configured with custom hardware specifications including CPU, memory, network, and storage.
Supports seamless integration between host and guest operating systems, including shared folders, clipboard, and drag-and-drop functionality.
Supports a variety of networking modes, including bridged, NAT, and host-only networking.
Includes support for USB devices, enabling the use of USB devices on a guest operating system.
Offers snapshot and clone functionality, allowing you to save and restore virtual machine states.
Pros:
Free and open-source software.
Supports a wide range of guest operating systems.
Simple and intuitive user interface.
Easy to install and set up.
Allows you to run multiple virtual machines simultaneously.
Supports a variety of virtual disk formats and allows you to create custom disk images.
Offers a range of customization options for virtual machines.
Good performance, even on older hardware.
Cons:
Limited support for advanced virtualization features such as nested virtualization and live migration.
Can be resource-intensive, especially when running multiple virtual machines simultaneously.
User interface could be improved for more complex tasks.
No built-in backup functionality.
Conclusion:
Overall, Oracle VM VirtualBox is a powerful and reliable virtualization software that provides a wide range of features and customization options. It is ideal for developers, testers, and system administrators who need to test applications on different operating systems. However, it does have some limitations, such as limited support for advanced virtualization features and resource-intensive performance. Nonetheless, it is a great tool for anyone looking to create and manage virtual machines on their computer.