1.9. Using VM groups

VM groups enable the user to create ad hoc groups of VMs, and to manage and perform functions on them collectively, as well as individually. There are a number of features relating to groups:

  1. Create a group using GUI option 1) Drag one VM on top of another VM.

    Create a group using GUI option 2) Select multiple VMs and select "Group" on the right click menu, as follows:

  2. Command line option 1) Create a group and assign a VM:

    VBoxManage modifyvm "Fred" --groups "/TestGroup"

    creates a group "TestGroup" and attaches the VM "Fred" to that group.

    Command line option 2) Detach a VM from the group, and delete the group if empty:

    VBoxManage modifyvm "Fred" --groups ""

    It detaches all groups from the VM "Fred" and deletes the empty group.

  3. Multiple groups e.g.:

    VBoxManage modifyvm "Fred" --groups "/TestGroup,/TestGroup2"

    It creates the groups "TestGroup" and "TestGroup2" (if they don't exist yet) and attaches the VM "Fred" to both of them.

  4. Nested groups -- hierarchy of groups e.g.:

    VBoxManage modifyvm "Fred" --groups "/TestGroup/TestGroup2"

    It attaches the VM "Fred" to the subgroup "TestGroup2" of the "TestGroup" group.

  5. Summary of group commands: Start, Pause, Reset, Close (save state, send shutdown signal, poweroff), Discard Saved State, Show in File System, Sort.