Lucid Tips

Virtualization allows running of multiple operating systems and multiple applications on the same computer at the same time. This can be very handy if you are doing software development and need to test your application on multiple platforms or are doing a lot of R&D and get tired of reloading the operating system and software. Virtualization is also helpful if you need to run Linux and Windows (or different flavor/version of Linux) at the same time and dual boot just does not cut it. VMWare Server from VMWare is great virtualization software and is provided as freeware. It allows you to create snapshot of the state of any particular virtual machine and revert to it easily.

Update 05/30/2009: Also see VirtualBox – virtualization alternative to VMWare

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq nc6000 running Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

All the screenshots for this howto can be accessed here.

Install required dependencies

Open terminal window and type the following command

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r` build-essential xinetd gcc-3.4

Create required directories

In this guide I am using $HOME/Downloads as the base directory. You can choose any directory of your choice. Open terminal prompt and type the following command

mkdir $HOME/Downloads

Download VMWare Server

Download VMware Server 2 for Linux Operating Systems TAR image and save it in $HOME/Downloads.

If you already have a VMWare account login with the account. If not complete the registration process. Please make sure you use a valid email address because you will receive VMWare server activation instructions including the serial number via email.

Installing and Configuring VMWare Server

1. Unpack the downloaded archive. Open the terminal window (if not already open) and type the following command

   cd $HOME/Downloads
   tar -zxvf VMware-server-2.0.0-122956.i386.tar.gz

2. Now change to the installation directory

   cd vmware-server-distrib

3. Run the installation script

   sudo ./vmware-install.pl

4. The installation script will prompt for the directory locations for binary files, initialization scripts, daemon files, library files, manual files, and documentation files. Unless you have a custom installation of Ubuntu accept the default responses.
5. A message indicating successful installation of VMWare Server for Linux will be displayed.
6. When prompted to run /usr/bin/vmware-config.pl choose yes.
   Note: As per VMWare server documentation configuration with vmware-config.pl is required in the following circumstances:
   • When you install VMware Server for the first time.
   • When you upgrade your version of VMware Server.
   • When you upgrade your host operating system kernel. (It is not necessary to reinstall VMware Server after you upgrade your kernel.)
   • To reconfigure the networking options for VMware Server. For example, to add or remove a virtual network.
7. The configuration script will attempt to stop the Virtual Machines and VMWare management services. Failed message will be displayed. This is normal. Ignore the failures.
8. Read and accept the End User License Agreement.
9. The configuration script will now prompt for information. Unless you have a custom installation of Ubuntu accept the default responses.
10. When prompted “Do you want networking for your virtual machines?” type yes.
11. VMWare Server provides three choices for networking – Bridged, NAT and HostOnly. This howto installs all three. Before proceeding I strongly recommend reading Networking Basics on page 212 of VMWare Server User’s Guide.
12. By default configuration script creates a “Bridged” network
13. If you have  multiple ethernet network interfaces available (wired and wireless) you will be prompted to choose the network interface to bridge for virtual machines. If you wish to bridge the other ethernet network interface answer yes to the “Do you wish to configure another bridged network?” prompt.
14. Answer yes to “Do you want to be able to use NAT networking in your virtual machines?” and accept the default responses.
15. Answer yes to “Do you want to be able to use host-only networking in your virtual machines?”
16. Accept default ports for remote, http and https connections (If you are already using those ports change the port number when prompted).
17. Answer yes to “Would you like to specify a different administrator?”
18. You will be prompted to enter the user for VMWare administrator. Enter the user you are currently logged in as. (Tip: To find the user open terminal window and run the command whoami)
19. You will be prompted to enter the 20-character serial number. You should have received this via email when you download the TAR image.
20. Almost done. Accept default responses for the rest of the prompts.
21. You should see message indicating starting of VMware services, VMware management services and VMware autostart virtual machines.
22. Successful completion of VMWare Server for Linux message will be displayed and you will be returned to the terminal prompt.
23. Type exit to close the terminal window.

Creating a new Virtual Machine

1. VMWare Server interface is web based and can be accessed by going to http://127.0.0.1:8222. (see screenshot)
2. To login use the VMWare administrator you created in step 18 above
3. Once you are successfully logged in the host workspace screen is displayed (see screenshot)
4. To create a new Virtual Machine click on “Create Virtual Machine” link
5. Create Virtual Machine wizard window will open.
6. On the “Name and Location” page change the name to “Windows_XP_PRO” and select “standard” datastore. The standard datastore is created when you install VMWare. Click Next. (see screenshot)
7. On the “Guest Operating System” page select “Windows operating system” and change the version to “Windows XP Professional (32-bit)”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
8. On the “Memoy and Processors” change the memory size and CPU count if required. The default settings work OK. Click Next. (see screenshot)
9. On the “Hard Disk” page select “Create a New Virtual Disk”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
10. On the “Hard Disk Properties” page change the capacity and location if required. Click Next. (see screenshot)
11. On the “Network Adapter” page select “Add a Network Adapter” and click Next. (see screenshot)
12. On the “Network Adapter Properties” page select network connection type (please see Networking Basics on page 212 of VMWare Server User’s Guide) and check Yes. Click Next. (see screenshot)
13. On the “CD/DVD Drive” page select “Use a Physical Drive” and click Next. (see screenshot)
14. On the “CD/DVD Drive Properties” page select the Host CD/DVD Drive and click Next. (see screenshot)
15. On the “Floppy Drive” page the option “Use a Physical Drive” will be disabled if your machine does not have a Floppy Drive. If you do not wish to use Floppy Drive on the Virtual Machine select “Don’t Add a Floppy Drive”. Click Next. (see screenshot)
16. On the “USB Controller” page select “Add a USB Controller” and click Next. (see screenshot)
17. On the “Ready to Complete” page review your selection. Click Finish. (see screenshot)
18. You will be returned to host workspace screen and the new virtual machine will be listed under the Inventory.

Installing Operating System on the new Virtual Machine

1. Click on Windows_XP_Pro from the inventory list
2. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine. (see screenshot)
3. To use the console you need VMWare Remote Console Plug-in.
4. Click the Install plug-in link
5. Firefox might prevent installation of the software. Click the Allow button. (see screenshot)
6. Firefox Software Installation screen will appear. Click Install Now. (see screenshot)
7. After successful installation of the plug-in you will be prompted to restart Firefox. Click Restart Firefox.
8. Open the VMWare Server interface going to http://127.0.0.1:8222
9. Login with the correct username / password.
10. Once you are successfully logged in the host workspace screen is displayed
11. Insert the Windows XP installation CD in the CD/DVD drive of your PC.
12. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine. (see screenshot)
13. Click Virtual Machine from the top navigation and then select Power On/Resume (The green Play button on the top navigation can also be used to Power On the virtual machine) (see screenshot)
14. Click anywhere within the console tab to open it in a new window. (see screenshot)
15. The new Virtual Machine will boot from the CD and the Windows XP installation screen will be visible. (see screenshot)
16. Proceed with installing Windows XP as you would on a stand alone PC. (Please remember to run Windows Update to install all the latest updates)
17. You can now remove the Windows XP installation CD in the CD/DVD drive of your PC

Installing VMWare Tools

VMWare Tools is a set of utilities that help management of the virtual machine and also enhances performance. It is strongly recommended installing VMWare Tools

1. In VMWare Infrastructure Web Access window select Windows XP from the inventory list.
2. Power On the Virtual Machine if required
3. Click on “Install VMWare Tools” link
4. VMWare Tools installation dialog box will appear. Click Install (see screenshot)
5. Click on the Console tab of the virtual machine and then click anywhere to open the console in new window.
6. VMWare Tools installation wizard will be visible. Click Next. (see screenshot)
7. Select Typical and click Next (see screenshot)
8. Click Install. (see screenshot)
9. Click Finish (see screenshot)
10. Click Yes to restart (see screenshot)

Shutting down Virtual Machine

1. In VMWare Infrastructure Web Access window select Windows XP from the inventory list
2. Click Virtual Machine from the top navigation and then select Power Off/  (The red Stop button on the top navigation can also be used to Power On the virtual machine) (see screenshot)

You also may shutdown by selecting Start->Turn Off Computer

Licensing

Installation of Windows under a virtual machine requires a license as well. Microsoft has a virtualization license plan whereby customers can pay license fees for the number of processors the software will run on in virtual mode.

Final Thoughts

I find virtualization very helpful and run multiple Virtual Machines. VMWare Server supports a range of Windows and Linux host operating systems. Please refer to page 25-26 of the of VMWare Server User’s Guide. Follow the instructions above to create a new Virtual Machine and select the operating system of your choice.

Good luck on your VMWare journey.