Vbox extremely slow performance w/database or other high-level process

[Jonathan Deitch]

Virtualbox performs VERY VERY slowly with any type of high-level process underway, like a database query, etc.

This can be a simple DB query (select * from) on a large table, or something like a program compilation (e.g. - download the source for a medium sized file -- like, say, Asterisk -- and compile it), or even something as simple as a Yum Update with a large number of packages in the transaction process.

Vbox CPU usage shoots to 100%, the host CPU usage shoots to 100% (on the core the vbox process is attached to), and the entire guest system slows to a crawl.

It's not uncommon to see guest speeds for these processes take 10 times the length of time the same exact process takes in realtime.

This can easily be reproduced on an essentially idle host, running only virtualbox, and the single guest process ... which eliminates competing resources as a cause.

Host is Centos 5.4, guest is Centos 5.4

[Jonathan Deitch]

Simple test case (all presuming Virtualbox 3.1.6 and a large multi-core host) --

Using a Centos 5.4 host, with complete full updated Yum, install vbox.

Create a new Guest and install Centos 5.4 on it w/Guest Additions -- do NOT update.

Take a snapshot (so you have a reversion point).

On the guest, do a full Yum Update.

Watch CPU shoot to 100%, and guest slow down to a crawl.

Alternative test case : download and install Asterisk instead of Yum Update.

[Jonathan Deitch]

Note - the above presumes a 64bit host, and 32bit guest

[Frank Mehnert]

Please reopen if still relevant with VBox 4.2.8.