Q about linux vm on a freebsd host
reddit / freebsd

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adidoadido · 2022-04-28 11:10

I need some help please. I'm new to freebsd and virtualization, but
learning. My end goal is to be able to use an appimage/ deb file on
freebsd. One route I'm considering is to install some linux distro
(with a desktop environment) inside a vm, install the appimage there
and give it access to a folder with user settings on my freebsd host.

Is it better to use bhyve or virtualbox for this?

Is there a better approach that I'm missing? I've looked into Linux
compatibility layer and I was left with the impression that it only
works for apps inside linux repositories. Thank you!

Edit: marking this as Solved, thanks much for the help!

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daemonpenguin · 2022-04-28 14:15

Using bhyve or VirtualBox will probably boil down to personal
preference. VirtualBox is probably the easier option if you're not
familiar with either yet.

The Linux compatibility layer is not just for apps inside Linux
repositories, it's for any Linux application where you have access to
all the userland dependencies.

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BostonBSD · 2022-04-28 20:53

If you install the compat layer you might want to consider the [Ubuntu
compat layer](https://www.micski.dk/2021/12/21/install-ubuntu-base-
system-into-freebsds-linux-binary-compatibility/#:~:text=Install%20Ubu
ntu%20base%20system%20into%20FreeBSD’s%20Linux%20Binary,on%20FreeBSD.%
20Enable%20FreeBSD’s%20built-in%20Linux%20Binary%20Compatibility)
because it's supported and has its own package management system \[
the CentOS layer, in the repo, is outdated \].

Once it is running you can just download an AppImage, extract it, and
run it like this:
`chmod +x YourImage.AppImage`
`./YourImage.AppImage --appimage-extract`
`cd squashfs-root/yourimage`
`./yourimage --no-sandbox`

You should now be able to to direct a menu launcher or script to that
file and run it like any other application \[remember to use the '--
no-sandbox' option in the launcher or script\].

If you need any Linux libraries, etc not included in the AppImage you
can check the Ubuntu repository for them like this:

First chroot into the linux environment and search for the library:
`chroot /compat/ubuntu /bin/bash`
`apt search somelibrary`
Then install the library.
`apt install somelibrary`

I think they are working on a better solution, one where you can run
the AppImage without exctracting first, but so far it doesn't appear
to be possible.

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adidoadido · 2022-04-29 04:36

Thank you

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adidoadido · 2022-04-29 04:37

I'm trying this out. Many thanks