Virtualbox extension pack purpose?

[Laggger164]

OK, I know what the extension pack does in Virtualbox, but why is it available seperately and why is there an entire plugin system for just that 1 extension pack?

 

I cannot find any other extension packs myself, what is the purpose in seperating them? They aren't big, storage shouldn't be a concern, so why?

[ProjectBox153]

I don't know why it is separate, but I have only installed it once. It gives features such as Remote Display (RDP to view the VM), etc. 

[fjdhdhcyfhf]

possibly licensing and possibly versioning so that they can update the extensions without having to update virtualbox

[LAwLz]

1 hour ago, SCHISCHKA said:

possibly licensing and possibly versioning so that they can update the extensions without having to update virtualbox

Licensing is definitely one reason.

VirtualBox and the platform packages are released in GLPv2, so it is open source (and free as in freedom).

The extension package is released under Virtualbox's own license and is closed source.

[fjdhdhcyfhf]

12 minutes ago, LAwLz said:

Licensing is definitely one reason.

VirtualBox and the platform packages are released in GLPv2, so it is open source (and free as in freedom).

The extension package is released under Virtualbox's own license and is closed source.

my conspiracy theory is it has closed source components to keep away patent trolls or they have licensed a component or technology that is not GPL compatible.

[Laggger164]

I just read that the extensions pack is under Oracle proprietary license, while being free for non commercial use and the rest of Virtualbox is completely free.

 

I still don't get why there is a whole plugin system for it...