Linux Installation Guide

📚 Overview

This guide will help you install two essential Linux distributions for your Network Applications lab:

🟠

Ubuntu Desktop

Popular, user-friendly Linux distribution perfect for learning and development

Installation Time: ~20 minutes

🔷

Kali Linux

Security-focused distribution with pre-installed penetration testing tools

Installation Time: ~5 minutes (pre-configured!)

Feature	Ubuntu Desktop	Kali Linux
Installation Method	Manual installation from ISO	Pre-configured VM (extract & run) EASY
Best For	General Linux learning, development	Security testing, network analysis
User Interface	GNOME (beginner-friendly)	Xfce (lightweight)
Download Size	~4.5 GB (ISO)	~3.5 GB (compressed VM)
Setup Difficulty	Moderate (requires installation)	Very Easy (ready to use)

🟠 Part 1: Ubuntu Desktop Installation

ℹ️ About Ubuntu

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, known for its ease of use and extensive community support. It's perfect for beginners learning Linux and system administration.

Step 1: Download Ubuntu Desktop

We'll be using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Long Term Support), which receives updates and support for 5 years.

🟠 Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Latest stable version - Desktop Edition (ISO file ~4.5 GB)

Download Ubuntu

🟠 Alternative: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

If you need an older stable version (ISO file ~4.7 GB)

Alternative Downloads

💡 Download Tip: The download may take 10-30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Make sure you have a stable connection and at least 10 GB of free disk space.

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

1

Open VirtualBox and Click "New"

Launch VirtualBox and click the New button to create a new virtual machine.

2

Name and Operating System

Name: Ubuntu-Lab or Ubuntu-Desktop (your choice)
Machine Folder: Keep default or choose your preferred location
Type: Linux
Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)

Click Next.

3

Memory Size (RAM)

Allocate RAM to your Ubuntu VM:

Minimum: 2048 MB (2 GB)
Recommended: 4096 MB (4 GB)
Optimal: 8192 MB (8 GB) if you have 16+ GB total RAM

Keep the slider in the green zone. Click Next.

4

Create Virtual Hard Disk

Select "Create a virtual hard disk now" and click Create.

5

Hard Disk File Type

Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and click Next.

6

Storage Type

Select "Dynamically allocated" to save disk space. Click Next.

7

Disk Size and Location

Minimum: 25 GB
Recommended: 30-40 GB

Click Create to finish VM creation.

Step 3: Configure VM Settings

1

Open Settings

Select your Ubuntu VM and click Settings.

2

System → Processor

Increase CPU cores to 2 or 4 (if your CPU has 4+ cores)
Enable PAE/NX if available

3

Display → Screen

Video Memory: 128 MB
Enable 3D Acceleration (optional but recommended)

4

Storage → Attach Ubuntu ISO

Under "Controller: IDE", click the Empty CD icon:

Click the small CD icon on the right
Select "Choose a disk file..."
Browse and select your Ubuntu ISO file

5

Network Settings

Go to Network → Adapter 1:

Enable Network Adapter: ✓ Checked
Attached to: NAT or Bridged Adapter

Click OK to save settings.

Step 4: Install Ubuntu

1

Start the VM

Select your Ubuntu VM and click Start. The VM will boot from the ISO file.

2

Try or Install Ubuntu

You'll see two options:

Try Ubuntu - Live mode without installation
Install Ubuntu - Permanent installation (select this)

Click Install Ubuntu.

3

Keyboard Layout

Select your keyboard layout (usually auto-detected correctly):

English (US) is most common
Test it by typing in the text box

Click Continue.

4

Updates and Other Software

Choose installation type:

Normal installation: Recommended (includes web browser, utilities, office software)
☑ Download updates while installing Ubuntu (recommended)
☑ Install third-party software (recommended for better hardware support)

Click Continue.

5

Installation Type

Select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu"

Don't worry! This only affects the virtual hard disk, not your actual computer. Your host system is completely safe.

Click Install Now, then Continue to confirm.

6

Time Zone

Select your location/time zone (usually auto-detected). Click Continue.

7

Create Your User Account (IMPORTANT)

Your name: Enter your full name
Your computer's name: Give it a hostname (e.g., ubuntu-lab)
Pick a username: Create a username (lowercase, no spaces)
Choose a password: Create a strong password
Confirm password: Re-enter the same password

Choose: "Require my password to log in" (recommended for security)

Click Continue.

💡 Example Credentials

Your name: Student Lab

Computer name: ubuntu-lab

Username: student

Password: [Your secure password]

⚠️ Write down your credentials! You'll need them to log in.

8

Installation in Progress

Ubuntu will now install automatically. This takes 15-25 minutes depending on your system.

You'll see a slideshow about Ubuntu features while it installs. Feel free to grab a coffee! ☕

9

Installation Complete

When installation finishes, you'll see "Installation Complete" message.

Click Restart Now.

When prompted to "Please remove the installation medium, then press ENTER", just press ENTER. VirtualBox will automatically eject the ISO.

10

First Login

After restart:

Click on your username
Enter your password
Press Enter

🎉 Welcome to Ubuntu! You'll see the desktop with a welcome screen.

✅ Ubuntu Installation Complete!

Your Ubuntu virtual machine is now ready. You can skip the online accounts setup and proceed with exploring your new Linux system.

🔷 Part 2: Kali Linux Installation (Quick & Easy!)

🚀 Good News - Super Easy Installation!

Unlike Ubuntu, Kali Linux provides a pre-configured VirtualBox VM that's ready to use! No lengthy installation process - just download, extract, and import. Takes only about 5 minutes!

What is Kali Linux?

Kali Linux is a specialized Debian-based Linux distribution designed for security professionals, ethical hackers, and penetration testers. It comes pre-loaded with hundreds of security and network analysis tools.

ℹ️ Why Kali Linux for This Lab?

Pre-installed network diagnostic tools (Wireshark, nmap, netcat, etc.)
Perfect for learning network security concepts
Widely used in cybersecurity courses and certifications
Completely free and open source

Step 1: Download Kali Linux VirtualBox Image

🔷 Kali Linux 2025.3

Pre-configured VirtualBox VM (64-bit) - Compressed .7z file (~3.5 GB)

Download Kali Linux

🔷 Official Kali Downloads

Visit the official page for other versions or checksums

Kali Official Site

💡 Download Tip: The file is compressed in .7z format. You'll need 7-Zip (Windows) or The Unarchiver (Mac) to extract it. Download takes 10-30 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Step 2: Install 7-Zip (If You Don't Have It)

1

For Windows Users

Download and install 7-Zip from: https://www.7-zip.org/

Choose the appropriate version (usually 64-bit x64)
Run the installer
Follow the simple installation wizard

2

For Mac Users

Download The Unarchiver from the Mac App Store (free) or use Keka.

Alternatively, use Terminal command:

7z x kali-linux-2025.3-virtualbox-amd64.7z

Step 3: Extract the Downloaded File

1

Locate the Downloaded File

Find the file kali-linux-2025.3-virtualbox-amd64.7z in your Downloads folder.

2

Extract the Archive

Windows:

Right-click the .7z file
Select 7-Zip → Extract Here (or Extract to folder name)
Wait for extraction to complete (2-5 minutes)

Mac:

Double-click the .7z file
The Unarchiver will automatically extract it

3

Find the .vbox File

After extraction, you'll have a folder containing several files. Look for the file with a blue VirtualBox icon - it has a .vbox extension.

Filename example: kali-linux-2025.3-virtualbox-amd64.vbox

Step 4: Import Kali Linux into VirtualBox

1

Open the .vbox File

Simply double-click the .vbox file with the blue VirtualBox icon!

VirtualBox will automatically open and import the virtual machine. This is the easiest method!

📝 Alternative Import Method

If double-clicking doesn't work, you can manually import:

Open VirtualBox
Go to Machine → Add (or press Ctrl+A)
Browse to the extracted folder
Select the .vbox file
Click Open

2

VM Added Successfully

You'll see "kali-linux-2025.3-virtualbox-amd64" appear in your VirtualBox VM list on the left side.

🎉 That's it! The VM is ready to use!

Step 5: Start Kali Linux

1

Start the Virtual Machine

Select the Kali Linux VM from the list and click the Start button (green arrow).

2

Wait for Boot

Kali Linux will boot up. You'll see the Kali dragon logo and then the login screen. This takes about 30-60 seconds.

3

Login to Kali Linux

Use the default credentials:

🔑 Default Kali Linux Credentials

Username: kali

Password: kali

⚠️ Security Note: Change the default password after first login for better security!

4

Welcome to Kali Linux!

After logging in, you'll see the Kali Linux desktop with the Xfce interface.

🎉 Congratulations! Your Kali Linux VM is ready to use!

✅ Kali Linux Setup Complete!

That was easy, wasn't it? Your Kali Linux is fully configured with all security tools pre-installed and ready for your lab exercises.

💡 Pro Tip: To change the default password, open a terminal and run: passwd

🔧 Part 3: Post-Installation Tips & Best Practices

Essential First Steps (Both Ubuntu & Kali)

1

Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

Guest Additions improve performance and enable useful features:

Better screen resolution support
Seamless mouse integration
Shared clipboard (copy-paste between host and VM)
Shared folders
Drag and drop files

How to install:

Start your VM
VM Menu → Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image
Ubuntu: A prompt will appear to run the software - click Run
Kali: Open terminal and run: sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-x11
Restart the VM after installation

2

Update Your System

Keep your Linux systems up to date for security and performance:

Ubuntu: Open Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Kali: Open Terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt dist-upgrade -y

3

Take a Snapshot

Create a clean baseline snapshot after initial setup:

Shut down the VM properly
In VirtualBox, select the VM
Click Machine → Take Snapshot
Name it: "Fresh Install" or "Clean System"
You can restore to this point anytime if something goes wrong

4

Configure Shared Clipboard & Drag-and-Drop

Make file transfer between host and VM easier:

Select your VM (powered off)
Go to Settings → General → Advanced
Set Shared Clipboard: Bidirectional
Set Drag'n'Drop: Bidirectional
Click OK

Ubuntu-Specific Tips

💡 Useful Ubuntu Commands:

# Open Terminal
Ctrl + Alt + T

# Check Ubuntu version
lsb_release -a

# Install software
sudo apt install [package-name]

# Search for software
apt search [keyword]

# Check system information
neofetch    # (install first: sudo apt install neofetch)

Kali Linux-Specific Tips

💡 Important Kali Commands:

# Change default password (recommended!)
passwd

# Update Kali tools
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Check Kali version
cat /etc/os-release

# List pre-installed tools
ls /usr/share/

# Popular tools to explore:
nmap        # Network scanner
wireshark   # Network protocol analyzer
metasploit  # Penetration testing framework

⚠️ Important Security Note for Kali Linux

DO NOT use Kali Linux as your main operating system! It's designed for security testing in controlled environments only.

Only use Kali in VirtualBox for lab exercises
Use Kali's tools only on systems you own or have permission to test
Unauthorized penetration testing is illegal
Change the default password immediately

Common Issues and Solutions

⚠️

Issue: Screen Resolution is Too Small

Solution:

Install VirtualBox Guest Additions
Enable: View → Auto-resize Guest Display
Or manually change in System Settings → Display

⚠️

Issue: Can't Extract .7z File (Kali)

Solution:

Install 7-Zip (Windows) from www.7-zip.org
Install The Unarchiver (Mac) from App Store
Or use online extraction tools (not recommended for large files)

⚠️

Issue: VM is Very Slow

Solution:

Increase RAM allocation (4GB minimum recommended)
Increase CPU cores (2-4 cores)
Enable 3D acceleration in Display settings
Install Guest Additions
Close other applications on host computer

⚠️

Issue: Network Not Working

Solution:

Check VM Settings → Network → Adapter 1 is enabled
Try different network modes: NAT, Bridged, or Host-only
Restart the network service in Linux
Ubuntu: sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Kali: sudo systemctl restart networking

⚠️

Issue: Forgot Ubuntu Password

Solution:

Restart VM and enter GRUB menu (hold Shift during boot)
Select "Advanced options"
Boot into recovery mode
Use root shell to reset password
Easier: Just create a new VM - it's faster for beginners!

Best Practices

Follow These Best Practices:

Always shut down VMs properly (don't force close)
Take snapshots before major changes or experiments
Keep systems updated regularly
Use descriptive names for your VMs
Back up important work to your host computer
Don't allocate all your system resources to VMs
Keep installation media (ISO/7z files) until setup is stable
Document your passwords in a secure place
Test network connectivity after installation
Learn basic Linux commands for better system management

Useful Resources

📚 Learning Resources:

Ubuntu Help: https://help.ubuntu.com/
Kali Documentation: https://www.kali.org/docs/
VirtualBox Manual: https://www.virtualbox.org/manual/
Linux Command Line Basics: Search for "Linux command line tutorial"
Network Tools: man pages (type "man [command]" in terminal)

🐧 Linux Installation Guide

📚 Overview

Ubuntu Desktop

Kali Linux

📋 Table of Contents

🟠 Part 1: Ubuntu Desktop Installation

ℹ️ About Ubuntu

Step 1: Download Ubuntu Desktop

🟠 Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

🟠 Alternative: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine

Open VirtualBox and Click "New"

Name and Operating System

Memory Size (RAM)

Create Virtual Hard Disk

Hard Disk File Type

Storage Type

Disk Size and Location

Step 3: Configure VM Settings

Open Settings

System → Processor

Display → Screen

Storage → Attach Ubuntu ISO

Network Settings

Step 4: Install Ubuntu

Start the VM

Try or Install Ubuntu

Keyboard Layout

Updates and Other Software

Installation Type

Time Zone

Create Your User Account (IMPORTANT)

💡 Example Credentials

Installation in Progress

Installation Complete

First Login

✅ Ubuntu Installation Complete!

🔷 Part 2: Kali Linux Installation (Quick & Easy!)

🚀 Good News - Super Easy Installation!

What is Kali Linux?

ℹ️ Why Kali Linux for This Lab?

Step 1: Download Kali Linux VirtualBox Image

🔷 Kali Linux 2025.3

🔷 Official Kali Downloads

Step 2: Install 7-Zip (If You Don't Have It)

For Windows Users

For Mac Users

Step 3: Extract the Downloaded File

Locate the Downloaded File

Extract the Archive

Find the .vbox File

Step 4: Import Kali Linux into VirtualBox

Open the .vbox File

📝 Alternative Import Method

VM Added Successfully

Step 5: Start Kali Linux

Start the Virtual Machine

Wait for Boot

Login to Kali Linux

🔑 Default Kali Linux Credentials

Welcome to Kali Linux!

✅ Kali Linux Setup Complete!

🔧 Part 3: Post-Installation Tips & Best Practices

Essential First Steps (Both Ubuntu & Kali)

Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

Update Your System

Take a Snapshot

Configure Shared Clipboard & Drag-and-Drop

Ubuntu-Specific Tips

Kali Linux-Specific Tips

⚠️ Important Security Note for Kali Linux

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue: Screen Resolution is Too Small

Issue: Can't Extract .7z File (Kali)

Issue: VM is Very Slow

Issue: Network Not Working

Issue: Forgot Ubuntu Password

Best Practices

Follow These Best Practices:

Useful Resources