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 DisqusIssue 269/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.
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