diff --git a/content/vbox_extenstions.rst b/content/vbox_extenstions.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..898d1775c1dcd462208c3784a6d807c974972349 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/vbox_extenstions.rst @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +VirtualBox extensions +##################### + +:date: 2017-01-17 +:summary: Installing the VirtualBox extension pack + +I happened to run into a Vagrant image today that required the USB2 controller +extension to VirtualBox. The procedure to install the extension pack was not +immediately clear to me. + +Installing through the VirtualBox GUI +------------------------------------- + +When trying to go through the VirtualBox GUI, the +application would close when I clicked on 'add new package' in the preferences +window. Guessing it had something to do with root privileges I tried to run the +GUI with :code:`sudo` but that failed because I'm using Wayland and it could +not find display :0. Using Gnome3, :code:`gksudo` is no longer available and +the replacement is :code:`pkexec` which uses PolicyKit. running :code:`pkexec +VirtualBox` opened the nice Gnome3 authentication prompt but resulted in the +same error. Giving up on starting the VirtualBox GUI as root, I moved my +efforts to the :code:`VBoxManage` CLI. + +Installing with the VBoxManage CLI +---------------------------------- + +Here are the steps I took to successfully install the extension pack: + +#. Find the version of VirtualBox you have installed by running + :code:`VBoxManage --version`. + +#. Download the matching version of the extension pack from + https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads if you're using the latest version + or from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Download_Old_Builds if you're using + an older version. + +#. Assuming you're using version 5.1.10, install the extension pack by running + :code:`VBoxManage extpack install + Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-5.1.10-112026.vbox-extpack`. For me, + this opened the same nice Gnome3 authentication prompt.