In this blog, we’ll walk through how to set up a virtual lab environment using VirtualBox, complete with networking and multiple virtual machines (VMs). This setup is ideal for testing and experimenting with different operating systems and configurations in a safe, isolated environment.
1. Download and Install VirtualBox and Extension Pack
To get started, download and install VirtualBox from the official website: https://www.virtualbox.org
Next, download the VirtualBox Extension Pack, which adds additional features like USB support and RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol). Follow these steps:
- Go to File > Preferences in VirtualBox.
- Navigate to the Extensions tab and click the “+” button to add the extension pack.
2. Creating a Virtual Network
In order to allow communication between your virtual machines, you need to create a virtual network:
- Go to File > Preferences, then select the Network tab.
- Under Host-only Networks, click the Add button to create a new virtual network.
- Configure the network using CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing), which improves routing efficiency. For example, you can use a network like
192.168.56.0/24.
This network will act as a virtual switch, enabling the virtual machines to communicate as if connected to a physical network.
3. Setting Up Virtual Machines (VMs)
We’ll install and configure various operating systems in the virtual environment. Here’s how to set up the first virtual machine, using Windows 10 as an example.
Step 1: Create a New Virtual Machine
- Click the New button in VirtualBox.
- Enter the name of your VM (e.g., “Windows 10”).
- Select the type of OS (Microsoft Windows) and the version (Windows 10 64-bit).
Step 2: Configure Machine Settings
- Set the desired amount of RAM (at least 2 GB for Windows 10).
- Allocate CPU cores according to your system’s capacity.
Step 3: Attach a Bootable Disk
- In the Storage settings, click Add to attach an ISO file of the OS.
- Select the Windows 10 ISO file that you’ve downloaded.
Step 4: Install the Operating System
- Start the virtual machine and follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
Repeat these steps to install other operating systems such as Ubuntu, Kali Linux, and Windows Server 2016, using their respective ISO files.
4. Installing Applications and Tools
Once the operating systems are set up, install the necessary applications on each VM:
Windows 10 (VirtualBox)
- Download and install Chrome for web browsing.
- Install Wireshark for network monitoring.
- Install FileZilla client for FTP file transfers.
Ubuntu (VirtualBox)
- Install Apache2 web server:bashCopy code
sudo apt update sudo apt install apache2 - Install WordPress for web development:bashCopy code
sudo apt install wordpress
Kali Linux (VirtualBox)
- Use the built-in Nmap for network scanning.
- Install Bettercap for advanced network attacks:bashCopy code
sudo apt-get install bettercap - Retrieve Seth’s tool from GitHub:bashCopy code
git clone https://github.com/Seth-tool-repository.git
Windows Server 2016 (VirtualBox)
- Set up FTP Server/FileZilla Server for file sharing.
- Enable RDP for remote access.
- Install and configure ADDS (Active Directory Domain Services) and DHCP.
5. Configuring Networking Between Virtual Machines
To allow communication between virtual machines:
- Go to each VM’s settings in VirtualBox.
- Navigate to the Network tab and connect each VM to the Host-only Adapter you created earlier.
- Ensure that the IP address range is assigned appropriately for each virtual machine.
Example:
- Windows 10:
192.168.56.10 - Ubuntu:
192.168.56.11 - Kali Linux:
192.168.56.12 - Windows Server 2016:
192.168.56.13
Now, all machines will be connected to the same lab network and can communicate with each other, simulating a real-world network environment.
6. Practical Use of the Virtual Lab
With your lab environment set up, you can now:
- Test networking and communication between different operating systems.
- Simulate attacks and defenses using tools like Nmap and Wireshark.
- Practice setting up web servers, FTP servers, and more.
This lab environment provides a safe way to experiment with networking, security tools, and server configurations without affecting your main system.
Conclusion
Setting up a virtual lab in VirtualBox allows you to experiment with various systems and configurations in an isolated environment. Whether you’re installing Windows, Ubuntu, or Kali, the virtual machines can be networked together to simulate a real lab. This is ideal for testing, learning, or practicing IT skills.