Install Latest Alpine Linux in Virtual Box

If you’re looking for a lightweight, secure, and fast Linux distribution to experiment with or use in a VM, Alpine Linux is a solid choice. It’s tiny—only around 5 MB for the base image—and built with security in mind. Here’s a simple guide to install the latest Alpine Linux in VirtualBox.

What You’ll Need

• VirtualBox installed (Download from virtualbox.org)
• Latest Alpine Linux ISO (Get it from alpinelinux.org/downloads)
• At least 512MB of RAM and 2GB of disk space

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Download the Alpine ISO

Go to Alpine’s download page and choose the “Standard” ISO for x86_64 architecture. This version is meant for virtual machines and real hardware installations.

2. Create a New Virtual Machine

• Open VirtualBox and click New.
• Name it something like Alpine Linux.
• Choose:
  • Type: Linux
  • Version: Other Linux (64-bit)
• Assign 512MB or more of RAM.
• Create a Virtual Hard Disk (VDI, dynamically allocated, 2GB+ recommended).

3. Attach the ISO

• With the VM selected, click Settings > Storage.
• Under the Controller: IDE, click the empty disk icon.
• Click the disk icon on the right and select Choose a disk file.
• Select the Alpine ISO you downloaded.

4. Boot the VM and Start the Installation

• Start the VM.
• At the boot prompt, just press Enter to boot into the default memory disk.

5. Setup Alpine

You’ll now be inside a minimal Alpine environment. Run the setup script:

setup-alpine

Follow the prompts to configure:

• Keyboard layout
• Hostname
• Networking (DHCP usually works fine)
• Root password
• Time zone
• Proxy (optional)
• Mirror selection

For disk setup, select:

• sda (your virtual hard disk)
• Choose sys when asked about the type of installation (this installs Alpine to disk)
• Confirm formatting

Once done, Alpine will install the system and prompt you to reboot. Before rebooting:

• Go to Devices > Optical Drives in the VirtualBox menu
• Remove the Alpine ISO

Then type:

reboot

6. Log In and Update

After rebooting, log in as root with the password you set. Then update the system:

apk update
apk upgrade

You’re now running Alpine Linux on VirtualBox.

Why Use Alpine in a VM?

Alpine is perfect for minimal environments, containers, or just learning the Linux command line without distractions. Running it in VirtualBox gives you a safe sandbox to explore without touching your main system.

Wrapping Up

Installing Alpine Linux in VirtualBox is quick and straightforward. It gives you a clean slate to build whatever you want, whether it’s a development environment, a learning lab, or a secure server setup.

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