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Deploy XLServer on VirtualBox

This guide walks you through the deployment of XLServer on Oracle VirtualBox, using the pre-packaged OVA file. This is the recommended method to quickly set up and test the product in a non-production environment.

✅ VirtualBox is suitable for testing or evaluation. For production, consider Deploying XLServer on VMware.

Step 1 – Launch VirtualBox and Import the OVA​

  1. Open VirtualBox Manager.
  2. Go to File > Import Appliance.
  3. Select the xlserver-virtualbox.ova file you downloaded.

Import Appliance Step

  1. Click on link Parameters in order to expand parameters section.

Step 2 – Configure Virtual Machine Name​

  1. In the "Appliance Settings" screen, rename the virtual machine to something like xlserver.

  2. Select the virtual machine base folder from Machine Base Folder.

  3. Choose Generate new MAC address for all network interfaces from MAC address policy.

Set VM Name

  1. Click Finish to proceed with import. You will be prompted to accept the terms of the license agreement.

Step 3 – Adjust CPU and Memory​

After import completes:

  1. Open the VM Settings.
  2. Navigate to System > Motherboard and Processor tabs.

Recommended configuration:

  • Standard/Professional Edition: 8 vCPU and 32 GB RAM
  • Enterprise Edition: 16 vCPU and 64 GB RAM

CPU and RAM Settings

CPU and RAM Settings

Step 4 – Configure Network Adapter(s)​

  1. In Settings > Network, ensure at least one adapter is enabled and attached to Bridged Adapter or NAT.

  2. You can configure up to three adapters for:

    • Management network
    • Backup network
    • Client network

Use Intel PRO/1000 MT Server or Paravirtualized Network (virtio-net) if supported.

Network Configuration

⚠️ If it is not done during the import, you should generate new MAC address for the adapter.

Step 5 – Add Disks for Datastore and Optional Devices​

XLServer needs additional virtual disks for storing data.

  1. Go to Settings > Storage.
  2. Add one or more SATA or SCSI virtual disks for:
  • Datastore (required)
  • SLOG (optional)
  • Cache (L2ARC) (optional)

Recommendations:​

  • Datastore: Based on database size and retention policy (see System Requirements)
  • SLOG: Use fast SSD or NVMe for better ZFS write performance
  • Cache: Optionally add 10–20% of datastore size for L2ARC

Add Virtual Disks

Step 6 – Start the Virtual Machine​

Click Start to launch the virtual machine.

  1. Wait for the system to boot.
  2. The default IP address will be displayed in the console once the system is ready.

📌 This IP address will be used to access the web interface or CLI for first-time configuration.

Booted VM Console

Notes: VirtualBox vs VMware​

FeatureVirtualBoxVMware Workstation / ESXi
Import methodFile > Import ApplianceDeploy OVF Template
NIC optionsIntel/ParavirtualizedVMXNET3
Disk additionManual after importDuring or after deployment
Resource tuningLimitedMore granular (ESXi)
Production readiness⚠️ Testing only✅ Recommended

ℹ️ After deployment, continue with the next step: First-Time Configuration