VMWare Server 1.x Installation

Before you begin the installation of VMWare, make sure the following dependancies are met:

gcc
make
libc6-dev
psmisc
xorg
linux-headers (matching your running kernel)


Once you are ready, you can extract your files and run the installer (Remember to be logged in with superuser privileges).
 

The installer asks you a few questions. Most of the time you can accept the default value:
 

Creating a new installer database using the tar3 format.

Installing the content of the package.

In which directory do you want to install the binary files?
[/usr/bin] <-- /usr/bin

What is the directory that contains the init directories ( rc0.d/ to rc6.d/)?
[/etc] <-- /etc

What is the directory that contains the init scripts?
[/etc/init.d] <-- /etc/init.d

In which directory do you want to install the daemon files?
[/usr/sbin] <-- /usr/sbin

In which directory do you want to install the library files?
[/usr/lib/vmware] <-- /usr/lib/vmware

The path "/usr/lib/vmware" does not exist currently. This program is going to
create it, including needed parent directories. Is this what you want?
[yes] <-- yes

In which directory do you want to install the manual files?
[/usr/share/man] <-- /usr/share/man

In which directory do you want to install the documentation files?
[/usr/share/doc/vmware] <-- /usr/share/doc/vmware

The path "/usr/share/doc/vmware" does not exist currently. This program is
going to create it, including needed parent directories. Is this what you want?
[yes] <-- yes

The installation of VMware Server 1.0.2 build-39867 for Linux completed
successfully. You can decide to remove this software from your system at any
time by invoking the following command: "/usr/bin/vmware-uninstall.pl".

Before running VMware Server for the first time, you need to configure it by
invoking the following command: "/usr/bin/vmware-config.pl". Do you want this
program to invoke the command for you now? [yes] <-- yes

Making sure services for VMware Server are stopped.

Stopping VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor done

You must read and accept the End User License Agreement to continue.
Press enter to display it. <-- [ENTER]

..... snip [LICENCE TEXT] ......

Do you accept? (yes/no) <-- yes

Configuring fallback GTK+ 2.4 libraries.

In which directory do you want to install the mime type icons?
[/usr/share/icons] <-- /usr/share/icons

The path "/usr/share/icons" does not exist currently. This program is going to
create it, including needed parent directories. Is this what you want?
[yes] <-- yes

What directory contains your desktop menu entry files? These files have a
.desktop file extension. [/usr/share/applications] <-- /usr/share/applications

In which directory do you want to install the application's icon?
[/usr/share/pixmaps] <-- /usr/share/pixmaps

Trying to find a suitable vmmon module for your running kernel.

None of the pre-built vmmon modules for VMware Server is suitable for your
running kernel. Do you want this program to try to build the vmmon module for
your system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your system)? [yes] <-- yes

Using compiler "/usr/bin/gcc". Use environment variable CC to override.

What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your running
kernel? [/lib/modules/2.6.18-4-486/build/include]<-- /lib/modules/2.6.8-2-386/build/include

[...]

Do you want networking for your virtual machines? (yes/no/help) [yes] <-- yes

Configuring a bridged network for vmnet0.

The following bridged networks have been defined:

. vmnet0 is bridged to eth0

Do you wish to configure another bridged network? (yes/no) [no] <-- no

Do you want to be able to use NAT networking in your virtual machines? (yes/no)
[yes] <-- yes

Configuring a NAT network for vmnet8.

Do you want this program to probe for an unused private subnet? (yes/no/help)
[yes] <-- yes

Probing for an unused private subnet (this can take some time)...

The subnet 172.16.191.0/255.255.255.0 appears to be unused.

The following NAT networks have been defined:

. vmnet8 is a NAT network on private subnet 172.16.191.0.

Do you wish to configure another NAT network? (yes/no) [no] <-- no

Do you want to be able to use host-only networking in your virtual machines?
[yes] <-- yes

Configuring a host-only network for vmnet1.

Do you want this program to probe for an unused private subnet? (yes/no/help)
[yes] <-- yes

Probing for an unused private subnet (this can take some time)...

The subnet 172.16.98.0/255.255.255.0 appears to be unused.

The following host-only networks have been defined:

. vmnet1 is a host-only network on private subnet 172.16.98.0.

Do you wish to configure another host-only network? (yes/no) [no] <-- no

[...]

Please specify a port for remote console connections to use [902] <-- 902

Restarting internet superserver: inetd.
Configuring the VMware VmPerl Scripting API.

Building the VMware VmPerl Scripting API.

Using compiler "/usr/bin/gcc". Use environment variable CC to override.

Installing the VMware VmPerl Scripting API.

The installation of the VMware VmPerl Scripting API succeeded.

Generating SSL Server Certificate

In which directory do you want to keep your virtual machine files?
[/var/lib/vmware/Virtual Machines] <-- /var/vm

Please enter your 20-character serial number.

Type XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX or 'Enter' to cancel: <-- your VMware Server serial number

Starting VMware services:
Virtual machine monitor done
Virtual ethernet done
Bridged networking on /dev/vmnet0 done
Host-only networking on /dev/vmnet1 (background) done
Host-only networking on /dev/vmnet8 (background) done
NAT service on /dev/vmnet8 done

The configuration of VMware Server 1.0.2 build-39867 for Linux for this running kernel completed successfully.
 

Troubleshooting:

Occasionally, VMWare is known to lock-up on Linux systems when you try to use the browse button. Luckily there is an easy fix you can apply.

Download the attached file for fix-vmware, and run it with superuser privileges. Then restart VMWare and your browsing should work properly.

# sh fix-vmware