Setting Up VirtualBox

This guide explains how to set up an Antcas server in VirtualBox. However, it does not cover the use of VirtualBox itself.

Prerequisites

To make all the settings explained below, VirtualBox must be installed with the compatible Extension Pack. The server will also run if not all these settings are made. However, this will affect performance. When using USB peripherals without an Extension Pack, speed is limited to USB 2.0. This means that a device cannot be used on a USB 3.0 port, for example.

The download of VirtualBox and the corresponding Extension Pack can be found at the URL https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

Notes

You can increase storage capacity at any time with the setup. See chapter Antcas Machine.

Do not change the MAC address of the first interface, otherwise the license will become invalid.

To access the VM, the network must be configured accordingly. The following settings are recommended:

  • Set the first adapter to bridged network.
  • Leave the second adapter on NAT or disable it.

Installation

  1. Create a new virtual machine. Then select the Antcas Server Setup ISO file. VirtualBox automatically detects the system and sets all system-relevant parameters. The detected minimum requirements are usually too weak. Therefore, make sure to set all resources correctly.
  2. Skip the unattended installation. This is not supported by the installation medium.

  1. Set the hardware requirements according to your system. Note that if you have to work on the same device, enough memory must remain available. The number of CPU cores significantly increases the installation speed. The recommended minimum requirements are:
    • 4 GB RAM
    • 2 CPU Cores
    • EFI BIOS (if this is not selected, the server will not boot after installation)

  1. Create a virtual hard disk. This must be at least 64 GB or larger. Note the free memory on the host device here. If the hard disk is created in VDI format, storage space will gradually increase. If no more memory is available, the virtual machine will crash and may be damaged beyond repair.

  1. Click Finish.
  2. Then open the configuration. Here, the virtual machine can be further optimized. Select NVMe for the storage controller. This increases the write speed of the hard disk.

Note: For this setting, you must have installed the correct VirtualBox Extension Pack.

  1. If you are using an SSD on your host, also enable the Solid-State Drive under the VDI file.

  1. Under Network, set Adapter 1 to Bridged Adapter. The selected host adapter must be able to assign an IP address via DHCP. Alternatively, you can use NAT mode and make the used ports available on localhost. This method is especially suitable for a mobile workspace. Under Port Forwarding, all ports as well as the correct IP address must then be defined individually. The address 10.0.2.15 is just an example. The local ports must be free. See the following table:
    Name Protocol Host IP Host Port Guest IP Guest Port
    Antcas Control TCP 127.0.0.1 10000 10.0.2.15 10000
    Visualization TCP 127.0.0.1 8000 10.0.2.15 8000
    After this configuration, the editor is accessible at https://localhost:10000/
  2. Optionally, you can enable promiscuous mode. This allows the Antcas server to capture all traffic on the interface. This can be very useful in case of errors.

Note: Note that under Adapter 1, the used MAC address defines the server ID and should not be changed later.

  1. You can enable the Adapter 2. Here, Antcas Control will provide a DHCP server. Bridging during setup is therefore not recommended.

  1. Click OK to save the changes.
  2. Now you can start the virtual machine and proceed with the Installation.