VMware Workstation is powerful desktop virtualization software for software developers/testers and enterprise IT professionals that runs multiple operating systems simultaneously on a single PC. Users can run Windows, Linux, NetWare, or Solaris x86 in fully networked, portable virtual machines—no rebooting or hard drive partitioning required.

As I had VMware Workstation running on all my previous SUSE distros, I decided to install the latest available version 6.0 build 44426 on my openSUSE 10.2 desktop. Even though as of now it is only beta version, the final version will have the same procedure for installation, which is not difficult. I usually use VMware Workstation to run other versions of Linux distributions, as well as Windows XP for checking out few applications that I would like to try without restarting my PC.

The latest release of VMware Workstation 6.0 ( beta version as of writing this) has now support for multiple monitors, Vista, USB 2.0 devices and ACE Authoring Capabilities - securely package and deploy desktop virtual machines with encryption, network access and device control, and much more.The latest VMware Workstation comes with quite a few new features - Release Notes contain a summary of features and known issues.

IMPORTANT: Current and previous versions of VMware can’t coexist on the same box. The kernel drivers that are the virtualisation can’t exist twice.

I. Prerequisites

1. kernel-source | 2. gcc | 3. gcc-c++ | 4. make

(The kernel-source packages must match the installed kernel!)

Grab a copy of latest available VMware Workstation 6.0 build (RPM file). Download the version that suits your distribution, i.e. 32-bit or 64-bit.

II. Installation and Configuring

1. Change to root and then install the rpm where you downloaded the file :

# rpm -ivh VMware-workstation-6.0.0-xxxx.yyy.rpm

(where xxxx is the build version and yyy is the architecture)

2. Once installed we need to configure VMware and create kernel modules that will be loaded when booting your openSUSE 10.2. For this execute the following command as root:

# vmware-config.pl

While configuring I accepted all of the defaults to the questions that are asked, meaning the paths to directories that were listed, “yes” wherever there was [yes] as default option, and “no” where it was [no]. There will be instances where you will be directed to read certain license agreements as well as network configuration install - you will need to use “Shift” -then- “q” to exit the editor mode.

Once the modules have been compiled, the next phase is to configure networking. As I have ethernet connection for internet I selected eth0 as I want my guest OS to have access to internet.

There are some new features that 6.0 presents and some more configuration questions. I opted not to install Eclipse Integrated Virtual Debugger, as I don’t think I will ever need it, but agreed to install VMware VIX API Installer, as you can see from the following screenshot:

Once it’s all configured, the final stage follows, which creates the list of modules that are supposed to be loaded when your openSUSE 10.2 boots, as well as loads them right away to start using your VMware Workstation.

Once completed, you will find VMware Workstation has been addded to your KDE menu under System -> More Programs (not sure about where it goes under Gnome menu). You can also run it by issuing a command as user - vmware

III. USB Access to Guest OS

Execute the following as root to have access to USB:

# mount -t usbfs /dev/bus/usb /proc/bus/usb

or try running the following command as root to mount the file system to the expected location:

# mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb

Here is a video (the quality is not that good but gives a picture) of me running Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn 64-bit version. All works nicely, including audio and internet connection. The question is though how I verify that VMware-Tools has been successfully being used which gives me graphical boost under guest OS (of course I have installed it).

As well check out the User Manual which provides more detailed set-up and how-to information.

That’s all ….. enjoy virtualisation via VMware Workstation.

Also check out:

• Convert Physical Windows Systems Into Virtual Machines To Be Run On A Linux Desktop
• Running VMware Workstation 5.5 on SUSE 10.1
• Desktop virtualization tools vie for position

Free Virtualization Products from VMware:

• VMware Player - Run, share and evaluate pre-built applications and beta software in virtual machines with VMware Player.
• VMware Converter - Convert your physical machines to virtual machines in minutes with VMware Converter, a reliable tool that automates the process of creating VMware virtual machines without disruption or downtime.
• VMware Server - Start experiencing the benefits of virtualization with VMware Server, a robust yet easy to use product for users new to server virtualization technology. Add centralized management to your VMware Server environment with VMware VirtualCenter for VMware Server.
• Virtual Appliances Marketplace - Download pre-installed and pre-configured applications that run in a virtual machine. Access the directory of free Virtual Appliances.

 Print This Post

Similar & Related Posts:

• openSUSE 10.3: Installing and Running VMware Workstation 6.0.x
• VMware Workstation 5.5 Beta on my SUSE box
• Running VMware Workstation 5.5 on SUSE 10.1
• Ubuntu 8.04: Running VMware Server 1.0 and VMware Workstation 6.5
• VMware Workstation 6 Released - Adds Linux’s Paravirt-ops Virtualization
• HowTo: VMware Server On A Fedora Core 6 Desktop
• Parallels Workstation - Get Your Free Copy Now
• openSUSE 11.0: Installing ATI and nVidia Video Drivers
• openSUSE 10.3 And Ralink RT2×00 Based Wireless Cards
• Convert Physical Windows Systems Into Virtual Machines To Be Run On A Linux Desktop