How to Use VirtualBox 2016: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Virtualized Lab

Are you interested in expanding your knowledge of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 but don't have a dedicated lab to do so? With the help of VirtualBox, a free virtualization software platform, creating your own virtualized lab on your home computer has never been easier. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of installing and configuring Active Directory and DHCP on your virtualized network, as well as setting up a sandbox internal test network.

First things first, let's talk about what VirtualBox is and why it's such a powerful tool for creating a virtualized lab. VirtualBox allows you to create multiple virtual machines (VMs) within one physical machine, each with its own operating system, memory, and storage. This means that you can run multiple different operating systems on your home computer without having to reboot or switch between them.

To get started with VirtualBox, you'll need to download and install the software on your computer. Once installed, you can create a new virtual machine by selecting 'New' from the VirtualBox menu. From there, you'll be able to choose the type of operating system you want to install (Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016, for example) and configure other settings such as memory and storage.

Once your virtual machine is created, you can start installing your chosen operating system. This will involve following the usual installation process for that particular OS, but with a few key differences. For example, you'll need to make sure that you're installing it on a virtual hard drive (VHD) rather than a physical one.

Once your operating system is installed and configured, you can start setting up your network. This will involve configuring DHCP and Active Directory, as well as setting up a sandbox internal test network. We'll walk you through each of these steps in more detail below.

Configuring DHCP on Your Virtualized Network

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is used to assign IP addresses to devices on a network. On your virtualized network, you'll need to set up DHCP so that your virtual machines can communicate with each other and access the internet.

To configure DHCP in Windows Server 2016, follow these steps:

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center by searching for 'Network and Sharing Center' in the Start menu.

2. Click on the 'Change adapter settings' link in the left-hand menu.

3. Right-click on the Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter (depending on your connection type) and select 'Properties.'

4. In the Properties window, scroll down and click on the 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' protocol.

5. Click on the 'Properties' button next to it.

6. Check the box next to 'Use the following IP address' and enter a valid IP address for your network (such as 192.168.1.1).

7. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

Configuring Active Directory on Your Virtualized Network

Active Directory is used to manage and control access to resources on your network. On your virtualized network, you'll need to set up Active Directory so that your virtual machines can communicate with each other and access shared resources.

To configure Active Directory in Windows Server 2016, follow these steps:

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center by searching for 'Network and Sharing Center' in the Start menu.

2. Click on the 'Change adapter settings' link in the left-hand menu.

3. Right-click on the Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter (depending on your connection type) and select 'Properties.'

4. In the Properties window, scroll down and click on the 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' protocol.

5. Click on the 'Properties' button next to it.

6. Check the box next to 'Use the following DNS server addresses' and enter a valid DNS server address for your network (such as 192.168.1.1).

7. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

Setting Up a Sandbox Internal Test Network

A sandbox internal test network is a virtualized network that allows you to test and troubleshoot your network configurations without affecting your physical network. To set up a sandbox internal test network, follow these steps:

1. Open VirtualBox and select the virtual machine you want to add to the sandbox network.

2. Click on the 'Settings' button next to the virtual machine name in the VirtualBox menu.

3. In the Settings window, click on the 'Network' tab.

4. Select 'Internal Network' as the adapter type.

5. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

In this article, we've walked you through the process of creating a virtualized lab using VirtualBox and setting up a sandbox internal test network. With these steps, you'll be able to create your own Windows 10 and Server 2016 virtual machines and configure them for use on your home computer. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge of Windows or simply want to practice setting up a network without affecting your physical one, VirtualBox is the perfect tool for the job.

How to use virtualbox 2016