Try Out Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer) in VirtualBox 🌱

NOTE: This is a helpful exercise to get familiar with the Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer) user interface and terminology but is not recommended for production use. 

  1. Download the Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer) .iso file Download
  2. Create an account to complete the download
  3. Launch Virtualbox
  4. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

    Name: XenServer
    Machine Folder: C:\VMs
    Type: Linux
    Version: Other (64-bit)
    Memory Size: 8192 MB
    Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now

  5. Click Create
  6. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog

    Name the virtual disk image XenServer.vdi
    File size: 500 GB
    Hard disk file type: VDI
    Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated

  7. Click Create
  8. Select the VM and Click Settings
  9. Select System > Processor
  10. Give the VM at least 2 processors
  11. Check the Enable Nested VT-x/AMD-V
  12. Select Display
  13. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
  14. Select Network
  15. Set the attached to dropdown to Bridged Adapter
  16. Select Storage
  17. Click on the CD-ROM drive
  18. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
  19. Browse to and select the downloaded Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer) .iso file
  20. Click OK
  21. Select the hard disk dropdown to the right
  22. Click the Create button at the top
  23. Change the size to 500 GB > Click Create
  24. Click OK to accept the settings
  25. Make sure the XenServer VM is selected and click Start > Normal
  26. Select a keyboard mapping > Ok
  27. Select Ok to begin the installation
  28. Select Accept EULA
  29. Press Spacebar to select the 500GB VBOX HARDDISK
  30. Arrow down and check the Enable thin provisioning box
  31. Select Ok
  32. Select Local Media > Ok
  33. Enter and confirm a root password
  34. Configure the network > Ok
  35. Specify a hostname > Ok
  36. Set the time zone > Ok
  37. Select Using NTP > Ok
  38. Select Ok at the NTP server setup
  39. Select Install Citrix Hypervisor
  40. Select No at the supplemental packs installation screen
  41. After the installation completes, select Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive 
  42. Select Ok to reboot
  43. Welcome to Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer) inside VirtualBox

Installing Citrix XenCenter

  1. Go back to the download page and download XenCenter Download
  2. Install the downloaded .msi
  3. Launch Citrix XenCenter
  4. Click the Add a Server option in the main window
  5. Enter the IP address and root password to the Citrix Hypervisor VM