= Creating your own virtual machine =

There are situations where you want to have a system, which you can manage by yourself as 'root', e.g. to install and test software.
In such cases a virtual machine is a good idea. To create your own virtual machine on an ISG D-ITET-managed Linux client proceed as followed:

 1. On one of the machine's disks '/scratch' or '/scratch-second' (hereinafter referred to as: DISK) create a directory <username>. In addition create directory '/DISK/<username>/VM' to store your finally created VM.
 1. Download any operating system installation image to '/DISK/<username>'.
 1. Type following command on the console:

    {{{
     $ vmplayer
    }}}

 1. In the upcoming window klick "Create a New Virtual Machine" and use your downloaded virtual machine image.
 1. Make reasonable settings concerning RAM, CPU and Disk (dependend on your machine's hardware setup):

    {{{
     RAM:  min. -> 1-2 GB    max. -> 50% of the RAM of your machine
     CPU:  min. -> 1-2       max. -> 50% of the CPUs of your machine
     Disk: min. -> 10-30 GB  max. -> reasonable percentage of your machine's disk
    }}}

 1. Finally set the path of your new VM to '/DISK/<username>/VM' and start the installation process.
 1. After finishing the installation use command 'vmplayer' to start, resp. changing VM parameters in the future.

/!\ Note: 'Virtualization Technology' must be activated in the BIOS of your machine to create VMs in your environment. You can test that with following command: 
 
    {{{
     $ ls -l /dev/kvm
    }}}

    If this file doesn't exist, 'Virtualization Technology' is deactivated. In this case write to:  '''support@ee.ethz.ch''' to make the BIOS settings accordingly.