Notes

To run a VirtualBox virtual machine from an Ubuntu Server shell with no GUI and install Windows 10 with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) support, follow these steps:

## **1. Install VirtualBox**

First, ensure that VirtualBox is installed on your Ubuntu server. You can install it from the official repositories or by adding the Oracle repository for the latest version.

**Option 1: Install from Ubuntu Repositories**
```sh
sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox
```

**Option 2: Install the Latest Version from Oracle Repository**
```sh
# Add Oracle's public key
curl https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc | gpg --dearmor > oracle_vbox_2016.gpg
sudo install -o root -g root -m 644 oracle_vbox_2016.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/

# Add VirtualBox repository
echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -sc) contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list

# Update package lists and install VirtualBox
sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox-7.0
```

## **2. Install VirtualBox Extension Pack**

The Extension Pack is necessary for RDP support.
```sh
VBOXVER=$(vboxmanage -v | cut -dr -f1)
wget https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/$VBOXVER/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-$VBOXVER.vbox-extpack
sudo VBoxManage extpack install Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-$VBOXVER.vbox-extpack
```

## **3. Create and Configure the VM**

Create a new VM and configure it for Windows 10.
```sh
# Create VM
VBoxManage createvm --name "Windows10" --ostype Windows10_64 --register

# Set memory and CPU
VBoxManage modifyvm "Windows10" --memory 4096 --cpus 2

# Configure network
VBoxManage modifyvm "Windows10" --nic1 nat

# Enable VRDP
VBoxManage modifyvm "Windows10" --vrde on --vrdeport 3389
```

## **4. Create and Attach Virtual Hard Disk**

Create a virtual hard disk and attach it to the VM.
```sh
VBoxManage createhd --filename "/srv/virtualbox/Windows10/Windows10.vdi" --size 50000 --format VDI
VBoxManage storagectl "Windows10" --name "SATA Controller" --add sata --controller IntelAHCI
VBoxManage storageattach "Windows10" --storagectl "SATA Controller" --port 0 --device 0 --type hdd --medium "/srv/virtualbox/Windows10/Windows10.vdi"
```

## **5. Attach Windows 10 ISO**

Download the Windows 10 ISO from the Microsoft website and attach it to the VM.
```sh
# Assuming the ISO is downloaded to /tmp/Windows10.iso
VBoxManage storageattach "Windows10" --storagectl "SATA Controller" --port 1 --device 0 --type dvddrive --medium /tmp/Windows10.iso
```

## **6. Start the VM in Headless Mode**

Start the VM in headless mode.
```sh
VBoxManage startvm "Windows10" --type headless
```

## **7. Connect via RDP**

You can now connect to the VM using an RDP client. Use the server's IP address and port 3389.

## **Firewall Configuration**

If you have a firewall enabled, ensure that port 3389 is open.
```sh
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
```

By following these steps, you can run a VirtualBox VM on an Ubuntu Server without a GUI and install Windows 10 with RDP support.

Citations:
[1] https://phoenixnap.com/kb/install-virtualbox-on-ubuntu
[2] https://www.medo64.com/2020/09/headless-virtualbox-on-ubuntu-server-20-04/
[3] https://hibbard.eu/install-ubuntu-virtual-box/
[4] https://gcore.com/learning/how-to-install-virtualbox-on-ubuntu/