Running Haiku OS in VirtualBox

This article describes my best attempts to use Haiku in VirtualBox

It is commonly used to install Haiku in VirtualBox, but many instructions are missing. While installation is pretty straightforward, adding integrations between host and guest since Guest Additions are not supported.

Installation process is described on the official homepage, but here is a recap:

1. Install official ISO
2. Create a VM with a VDI hard disk and allocate more than 4 GB
3. Attach Haiku ISO to a VM
4. Extra: Haiku performance might be reduced on some VirtualBox versions, so it is safer to set the number of CPUs to 1
5. Finally, Follow the instructions when installing OS on a disk

Enabling SSH

This section is partially described in Network services section.

1. Set the user’s password (in Terminal) [~> passwd]
2. In /system/settings/ssh/sshd_config, add PermitRootLogin yes
3. Configure Network for VM: Either
   • Add Host-only Adapter in VM’s Network Settings (IP will be in Desktop applets –> Network Status)
   • Add port forwarding from guest 22 to some other host’s port (IP is same as localhost)

Enabling shared clipboard

1. In HaikuDepot, search for VM Guest Additions and install it.
2. Enable Shared Clipboard in VirtualBox –> Devices

Enabling shared folders

1. In VM Settings –> Shader Folders, add a desired folder with auto mount.
2. Create a folder in Haiku where it will be mounted
3. In Haiku’s Terminal [mount -t vboxsf -p <device> <mount path>]

Initially, it was a pain to use Haiku due to many features being in development, and after some work, it is still a pain, but with a bit of sugar 😉.

References

Image by MissBrae01 missbrae01@gmail.com