[Pkg-virtualbox-devel] Starting a VM remotely

[Cyril Brulebois]

On 31/01/2008, Frank Mehnert wrote:
> But what about vnc/xvnc?

As Torsten pointed out already, a “nogui” option would really be
helpful. I'd like to post a tiny summary on how to remotely start
virtual machines using vnc, in case someone else reaches this
discussion.

Remote:
 - log onto your remote box
 - install tightvncserver
 - launch it (you don't need a display), pick a password
 - determine which port it is using, a way to do so:
     netstat -tap | grep vnc
   (there are probably other ways to do so, but that works)
   Let's say it's 5901
 - unlog from there since the server forked in the background

Local:
 - install xtightvncviewer
 - create a ssh tunnel to your box:
     ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 you at remote
 - use it: (note there are two colons)
     xtightvncviewer localhost::5901
 - then VBoxManage startvm $yourvm &
 - and start as many virtual machines as wanted.

As I understand it, those VMs would die if the server is shut down
(although I didn't test it).

Cheers,

-- 
Cyril Brulebois
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