Start console-only Linux virtual machines at boot time?

I have several console-only Linux virtual machines that I would like to start automatically when the host boots. Is there a way to do this?

Regards,
Gijsbert

 

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Write an init script. Or easier would be to put a shortcut into your autostart directory.
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What command-line should the init-script contain? I can specify the VM configuration file when I start the parallels command, but I still have to manually click the 'Power on' button to start the VM.

Regards,
Gijsbert

 

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Just set the VM to autostart through Parallels configuration.
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Thanks, that worked. A tip: my Linux host is a standalone server that usually does not run an X server, but for parallels you need one. I use Xvnc:

Use vncpasswd to configure a vnc password

The startup script contains the commands:

Xvnc -geometry 1024x768 PasswordFile=.vnc/passwd :1 &
sleep 10
xsetroot -solid grey
twm &
parallels path-to-.pvs file

you can start this script at boot time from /etc/rc.local using:

su your-user-id -c 'nohup path-to-startup-script &'

Xvnc is also easy to tunnel through your firewall using ssh (see the vnc FAQ), which makes it easy to check the status of your virtual machines remotely using vncviewer.

Regards,
Gijsbert

 

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That would be a good post for the howto forum.
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Done!

Regards,
Gijsbert