Building a Cloud Storage Test Environment Using VirtualBox
Mohamad's interest is in Programming (Mobile, Web, Database and Machine Learning). He is studying at the Center For Artificial Intelligence Technology (CAIT), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Objective
In this lab, students will:
Install Oracle VirtualBox
Import a preconfigured Xubuntu virtual machine
Update the operating system
Install common Linux administration tools
Explore virtual machine storage concepts
Install Firefox for cloud service research
Prepare a Linux environment for future Docker and cloud storage exercises
By the end of this exercise, students will have a fully functional Linux virtual machine that can be used throughout the Cloud+ course.
Background
Cloud computing relies heavily on virtualization technologies. Most cloud virtual machines run on virtualized infrastructure where storage is presented as virtual disks.
Before learning about cloud storage technologies such as block storage, file storage, object storage, storage tiers, and storage performance, students should understand how a virtual machine consumes and manages storage resources.
The Xubuntu virtual machine used in this lab simulates a cloud virtual machine similar to:
Amazon EC2
Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine
Google Compute Engine
The virtual disk attached to the VM behaves similarly to cloud block storage services such as:
AWS Elastic Block Store (EBS)
Azure Managed Disks
Google Persistent Disk
Part 1 – Install Oracle VirtualBox
Step 1
Download Oracle VirtualBox:
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Install VirtualBox using the default settings.
Step 2
Launch VirtualBox.
Verify that VirtualBox Manager opens successfully.
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing VirtualBox Manager running.
Part 2 – Import Xubuntu Focal Fossa Virtual Machine
Step 1
Download the Xubuntu Focal Fossa OVA file:
https://archive.org/download/xubuntu-focal_202306/XubuntuFocal.ova
Step 2
Open VirtualBox.
Select:
File → Import Appliance
Browse and select:
XubuntuFocal.ova
Click:
Next → Finish
Wait for the import process to complete.
Step 3
Start the virtual machine.
Log in using the credentials provided by the instructor.
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing the Xubuntu desktop.
Part 3 – Examine Virtual Machine Storage
Step 1
Power off the virtual machine.
Open:
Settings → Storage
Observe:
Storage Controller
Virtual Disk
Disk Capacity
Storage Configuration
Record:
Virtual disk size
Storage controller type
Number of attached disks
Discussion Questions
Is the disk physically installed inside your computer?
What is a virtual disk?
How does a virtual disk compare to cloud block storage?
Which cloud services provide similar functionality?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing the VM Storage settings.
Part 4 – Update the Operating System
Start the virtual machine.
Open Terminal.
Execute:
sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y
Wait for all updates to complete.
Discussion Questions
Why should cloud servers be updated regularly?
What security risks exist when systems are not patched?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing successful completion of updates.
Part 5 – Install OpenSSH Server
Step 1
Install OpenSSH Server:
sudo apt install openssh-server -y
Step 2
Enable SSH service:
sudo systemctl enable ssh
Step 3
Verify SSH status:
sudo systemctl status ssh
Expected result:
active (running)
Discussion Questions
What is SSH?
Why do cloud administrators commonly use SSH instead of graphical access?
How are AWS EC2 and Azure Linux VMs commonly managed?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing the SSH service running.
Part 6 – Install Git
Install Git:
sudo apt install git -y
Verify installation:
git --version
Discussion Questions
What is Git used for?
Why is Git commonly installed on cloud servers?
What is the relationship between Git and DevOps?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing the Git version.
Part 7 – Install Nano Text Editor
Nano is a beginner-friendly command-line text editor commonly used in Linux environments. Unlike Vim, Nano displays command shortcuts directly on the screen, making it easier for new Linux users.
Step 1
Install Nano:
sudo apt install nano -y
Step 2
Verify installation:
nano --version
Step 3
Create a test file:
nano mynotes.txt
Add the following text:
My first cloud storage lab.
Save the file:
Ctrl + O
Press Enter
Exit Nano:
Ctrl + X
Step 4
Verify file creation:
cat mynotes.txt
Discussion Questions
Why are text editors important for Linux administration?
What advantages does Nano provide for beginners?
Why do cloud administrators often edit configuration files from the terminal?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing Nano editing a file.
Part 8 – Install Firefox Web Browser
Step 1
Install Firefox:
sudo apt install firefox -y
Verify installation:
firefox --version
Step 2
Launch Firefox:
firefox
or
Applications → Internet → Firefox
Step 3
Visit the following websites:
AWS Storage
https://aws.amazon.com/storage/
Azure Storage
https://azure.microsoft.com/products/storage
Google Cloud Storage
https://cloud.google.com/storage
Explore the storage products offered by each provider.
Discussion Questions
Which AWS service provides block storage?
Which AWS service provides object storage?
Which Azure service provides file storage?
Which Google Cloud service provides object storage?
Which provider appears to offer the broadest range of storage services?
Deliverable
Capture screenshots showing:
AWS Storage page
Azure Storage page
GCP Storage page
Part 9 – Install Python 3 and Pip
Install Python package manager:
sudo apt install python3-pip -y
Upgrade Pip:
sudo pip install -U pip
Verify installation:
python3 --version
pip --version
Discussion Questions
Why is Python commonly used in cloud administration?
What cloud automation tasks can Python perform?
How does Python support Infrastructure as Code (IaC)?
Deliverable
Capture screenshots showing Python and Pip versions.
Part 10 – Reboot and Verify Persistence
Restart the operating system:
sudo reboot
After rebooting, verify:
SSH is still running
Git is installed
Nano is installed
Firefox is available
Python is available
mynotes.txt still exists
Verify:
cat mynotes.txt
Discussion Questions
Why does the file still exist after reboot?
What does this demonstrate about persistent storage?
How does persistent storage differ from RAM?
Deliverable
Capture a screenshot showing the desktop after reboot.
Reflection Questions
What is a virtual disk?
How does a virtual machine consume storage?
How is VirtualBox storage similar to AWS EBS?
Why is persistent storage important?
What would happen if the virtual disk became full?
Which cloud provider's storage portfolio was easiest to understand?
How does this lab relate to cloud storage concepts?
Learning Outcomes
After completing this lab, students will be able to:
Install and configure a virtual machine
Understand virtual disk storage concepts
Manage Linux operating systems
Configure remote administration using SSH
Install common Linux administration tools
Use Nano to edit files in Linux
Research cloud storage services from AWS, Azure, and GCP
Relate VirtualBox storage to cloud block storage
Prepare a platform for Docker and future cloud storage exercises