I want to install Linux Mint as a standalone HVM. I tried to go through the tutorial on Qubes User Documentation but got lost. I can create the new qube but do not know how to install the ISO. Any help would be appreciated.
The reason why I want a standalone VM is to be able to use the Local WP (wordpress site developer) app. The app just doesn’t work in a qube.
@ludovic I think a StandaloneVM with a non-native operating system (HVM) is not ideal in this situation and I’d encourage @bill to understand how this can be done natively. I’m writing a long post ATM.
I’ve seen that documentation. Actually I just came across this on Google groups:
https://groups.google.com/g/qubes-users/c/jBHgC2TFggY/m/gpswo_DeAgAJ
It seems to be the right solution. I can now get Mint up and running.
@bill actually, installing a non-native VM for this purpose is loosing out on a lot of Qubes features.
security-wise
you’ll be running that qube in the HVM virtualization mode which the docs state has security disadvantages compared to standard qubes VMs (which run in PHV mode)
convenience-wise
You’ll be missing on automated updates (through Qubes Updates); you’ll be seeing the desktop of that VM instead of a seamless experience where the windows integrate well with everything else, etc.
Installing a non-standard linux distribution from a .iso image as a Standalone HVM should only be considered as the last resort. With this in mind I would advise you to follow a very detailed guide that I just created for this particular case:
While I do not endorse the use of such kind of software (for reasons relating to one’s freedom, independence and security) I understand not everyone can afford to spend time installing and learning free software.
So as a general disclaimed before digging deeper, I leave here the recommendation that people do look for Freedom Software alternatives. Most likely they do exist and will be better in the long run.
Thanks, I’ll take a look at your guide.
Because Mint is based on Ubuntu, you can actually install the qubes
packages for Ubuntu and get a pretty seamless Qubes experience.
I’ve done this in the past.
If you want to try this, I provide prebuilt Ubuntu packages at
https://qubes.3isec.org
Make sure you match the package to the underlying Ubuntu version.
I suggest you clone the HVM that you install, and try this on the cloned
version - that way if things go wrong you will have a clean version to
fall back on.
At a minimum you should be able to get the core Qubes tools working -
qvm-copy etc.
I used to offer a Mint template - I’ll dust that off and rebuild it if
anyone wants it.
To state it explicitly, in the guide I did install LocalWP on both Debian and Fedora. But the guide has general feedback so it should help on installing other applications from a .deb or .rpm.
Is it possible to copy files from an App VM to a Standalone VM?
If you install the qubes tools, yes. (Provided they can be installed)
Otherwise, you can use (e.g) ssh/rsync , or (last resort) a file based
disk device that can be attached to qubes at start up.