Virtual Box @Automation
Trouble Shooting & Tutorial
For students automation
Using
64bits computer
Or
Apple OS
Or
Windows Vista
Or
…
Problems?
64bits computer
 Apple PC
 Newer version of windows, although PLC
software using older windows’ version


…
A solution:

Using virtualization.
 To
use software @lessons Automation:
Windows XP (32bits) operating system
even if you use
 Apple OS
 Windows 7
 64bits PC
Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

Theory on Virtualization

Currently/classic:
 Operating
System
 Software PLC running
on/in this OS
Theory on Virtualization

Standard OS



HOST
Virtual OS

installed with virtualization
software

GUEST

“virtual computer”
Software PLC

running on the virtual OS
Theory on Virtualization

Remarks
 What
with
internet?
 serial drivers?
 USB drivers?
 Hard disks (to share files)?
 …

Depends on the used
virtualization software
Virtualization Software?
Virtual PC
 Virtual Machine
 Virtual Box
…

Why Virtual Box?

Students  low budget
 WISH:

Solutions with open source
Virtual Box is open source!
Why Virtual Box?

Today most PLC’s start to work with
ethernet.
 Connecting
virtual OS with the real network
interface is easy with virtual box

Possible to program a PLC on virtual OS
although PLC is connected to ‘real’ OS/machine.
Conclusion

Virtual Box may fulfill our needs.

Others may too, but the evaluation of
virtual box was positive.
Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

Installing Virtual Box

Download the required VB on
www.virtualbox.org

Install it.
Running Virtual Box

Click on
Running Virtual Box

Start up
First time to Run Virtual Box?
“Nieuw”? => Creating new Virtual Machine
Add or select required data:
Add or select required data:
@automation => use Windows XP
Select quantity of memory (RAM) of
real machine used bij virtual machine
Try to stay in green.
But change the MB higher than
192MB
Create a new hard disk (virtual)
or use an existing hard disk (virtual)
Select winxp.vdi (if existing on your hard
disk, otherwise install an official version of
Windows XP)
Ready?  CREATE!
Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

No existing hard disk?

Install required virtual OS from CD-drive
using an officially licensed disk.

@Automation: use windows XP
Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

Run VIRTUAL Windows XP?
Install required PLC Software

@utomation?
 PLC
on ethernet
 & software officialy licensed:
Labview 7.1 (student version)
 Schneider Electric TwidoSuite
 Beckhoff Twincat

Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

Network settings guest OS?
Network settings?

Choices between:
 NAT
 Bridge
 Host

Read pdf
@automation: this works
NETWORK BRIDGE
NOT WIRELESS
Tutorial:
Little bit of theory
 Installing Virtual Box

 https://www.virtualbox.org/
Installing Windows xp
 Installing needed software automation
 Checking network settings
 Adding own hard disk

Adding own drives or folders?

First install Guest Additions! (when virtual
OS is running)
Guest Additions!

Follow the instructions.
 This
adds some extra functionality to your
virtual machine.
Guest Additions!

Installation finished?

reboot the virtual machine
Add own drive/folders?
Select the required folders of your
host OS you want in your guest OS
Tutorial:

EXTRA:
 Using
USB ports from host in the guest OS?

INSTALL THE EXPANSION PACK TOO

Check version expansion pack and already
installed virtual box!
USB-ports? Install the pack