How to Install Xen on macOS

Xen is an open-source virtual machine monitor that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single host machine. This tutorial will guide you through the installation process for Xen on macOS.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, please ensure that you have the following:

• A macOS-based computer with at least 8GB of RAM
• An internet connection
• Xcode Command Line Tools installed

Step 1: Install Homebrew

Homebrew is a package manager for macOS. To install Homebrew, open your Terminal and enter the following command:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 2: Install Xen

Once Homebrew is installed, you can use it to install Xen. Simply run the following command in your Terminal:

brew install xen 

This will install Xen and all of its dependencies.

Step 3: Test Xen

To verify that Xen is working, you can create a new virtual machine using the following command:

sudo xl create /usr/local/share/xen/examples/tryout/tryout.cfg

If everything is installed correctly, you should see a new virtual machine launched on your computer.

Step 4: Start Xen automatically on boot

If you want Xen to start automatically each time you boot your computer, you can use launchctl to create a new service. First, create a new file called com.xenproject.xen.plist in your /Library/LaunchDaemons directory:

sudo touch /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.xenproject.xen.plist

Then, open this file in your favorite text editor and paste the following XML code:

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC '-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN' 'http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd'>
<plist version='1.0'>
    <dict>
        <key>Label</key>
        <string>com.xenproject.xen</string>
        <key>ProgramArguments</key>
        <array>
            <string>/usr/local/bin/xenstored</string>
        </array>
        <key>RunAtLoad</key>
        <true/>
    </dict>
</plist>

Save the file, and then run the following command to load the new service:

sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.xenproject.xen.plist

Xen will now start automatically each time you boot your computer.

Congratulations, you have successfully installed and configured Xen on your macOS-based computer!

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!