VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a virtual machine for x86 architecture developed by innotek and maintained by Sun Microsystems. There are two versions: the full VirtualBox package with a proprietary license and the VirtualBox Open Source Edition (GPL).

It's easier to configure than QEMU and slightly slower than VMWare.

Getting debug output

Redirect to named pipe (Win32 host)

You need to download the VmwareGateway application. Start it with /r option to make it run as a service (in Vista you have to use an elevated cmd for this). Next you need to start the service, using SC command:

sc start vmwaregateway

Sort out any firewall popup if applicable. Finally, use your favourite telnet client to connect to localhost on port 567.

To configure your VM, set it to Host Pipe with the following pipe adress:

\\.\pipe\vmwaredebug

Make sure you do not mark the "create pipe" box. vmwaregateway has already created it. Debug output should appear in your telnet client.

Redirect to console (Linux host)

You have to use some application like the Win32 Hyperterminal, such as Minicom. Firstly install it

sudo apt-get install minicom

Then you will have to configure a pipe. Type Ctrl-A, then O. Select Configure serial ports, and in the device type something like

unix#pipe_path

.

pipe_path is a file which will be used as pipe between the VM and minicom. For example, in my pc i use /tmp/vboxlog

Please note you must type pipe_path exactly on both minicom and VirtualBox

In VirtualBox, create a new Virtual Machine, then go to the Serial Ports configuration. Select Host pipe, type the pipe_path and select Create Pipe.

Redirect to file (Linux host)

When running minicom, type Ctrl-A then L. Type the name of the capture file.