Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Quick Install – VirtualBox

Want to try Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 without touching your main system? VirtualBox makes it simple. Here’s a quick guide to get RHEL 8 up and running in a virtual machine.

What You Need

• VirtualBox (free, download here)
• RHEL 8 ISO file (get it from Red Hat – registration required)
• At least 4 GB RAM (recommended)
• 10+ GB free disk space
  Need more? Here’s how to enlarge a Virtual Machine’s disk in VirtualBox or VMware.

Step 1: Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox and click New.
2. Name it something like RHEL8, set Type to “Linux”, and Version to “Red Hat (64-bit)”.
3. Assign at least 4096 MB (4 GB) RAM.
4. Create a virtual hard disk (VDI), dynamically allocated, with at least 20 GB size.

Step 2: Mount the RHEL 8 ISO

1. Select your new VM and click Settings.
2. Go to Storage.
3. Under “Controller: IDE”, click the empty disc icon, then click the disc on the right and choose “Choose a disk file…”.
4. Select your RHEL 8 ISO.

Step 3: Adjust a Few Settings (Optional, but Smart)

• System > Processor: Bump up to 2 or more CPUs for better performance.
• Network: Set to “Bridged Adapter” if you want your VM to act like a real machine on your network.
• Display: Allocate more video memory for a smoother experience.

Step 4: Boot and Install

1. Start your VM.
2. The RHEL 8 installer should load. Pick “Install Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8” and hit Enter.
3. Go through the install process:
   • Choose language and keyboard.
   • Installation Destination: Use the default, which is the virtual drive you created.
   • Network & Host Name: Enable the network if you need internet access.
   • Set up user accounts and root password.
4. When done, click Reboot. If prompted, remove the installation media (go to Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive).

Step 5: First Boot and Registration

On first boot, log in and follow the prompts. RHEL will ask for subscription registration; you can use a free developer account for non-production use.

Troubleshooting

• Stuck on Boot? Check your VM settings (especially RAM, CPUs, and whether virtualization is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI).
• No Network? Try switching the network mode or double-check your system’s firewall.
• Running out of space? Learn how to enlarge your VM’s disk in VirtualBox or VMware.

Wrap-Up

That’s it! You now have RHEL 8 running in VirtualBox. You can experiment, learn, and break things without risk to your main system.

If you found this guide useful, drop a comment below or share it. Got stuck? Let me know where, and I’ll help you out.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!