VMWare in Windows

VMWare -- the newer version (2) has a quite complex browser-based user interface setup and a networking scheme which is somewhat tricky to configure. However, once it has been installed it can be administered over a network and has many more configurable networking and remote control options (achieving greater flexibility than some other virtualization platforms). This may make it more suitable for multi-server installations (such as cloud-computing environments, for example). The free Server edition allows the creation of virtual machines and is recommended. VMWare is also available as a compact free Player edition (for use with pre-configured appliances), a desktop Workstation, and an ESX "baremetal" hypervisor edition.

These instructions use the Server edition for installing an Ubuntu Server guest OS within the virtual machine. (However, with a little extra effort, an Ubuntu / Astronaut VistA server appliance could also be created for subsequent use with VMWare Player. This process is not discussed here.)

Install VMWare Server
Note: These instructions are for VMWare Server 2, which uses a web browser user interface for administration. (The usage instructions therefore differ considerably from those for VMWare Server 1.)


 * Obtain and download a copy of the VMWare Server 2 edition (binary) installer for your (Windows) operating system here. Retrieve the license numbers that are emailed to you as part of the (free) registration.
 * Install the program, following the prompts. (The Tomcat6 Java server is also installed as part of the process.)
 * Enter the license number as the serial number, when prompted.

The VMWare User Interface is web browser-based and requires Javascript (so you must have Javascript enabled in your browser).


 * Start VMWare Server:
 * Start menu -> Programs -> VMWare -> VMWare Server -> VMWare Server Home Page
 * -> VMWare Infrastructure Web Access ->
 * Login name: use your Windows username
 * Password: use your Windows password


 * During installation, you are prompted for the location of the folder on your hard drive in which your virtual machine images and files will be stored. Either choose the default location (C:\Virtual Machines) and note it carefully, or choose a new, memorable location.


 * If you will plan to install the Ubuntu Server OS into a virtual machine directly from an (.iso) image stored on the hard drive, the Ubuntu Server (.iso) image must be copied into this folder, in order to later be found by VMWare.

Adjust the virtual network adapters in Windows networking
(During the entire installation process I recommend turning off your firewall. Once everything is working properly, turn your firewall back on and then adjust it so that everything again functions properly. VMWare has a very complex networking structure that is sure to bamboozle even the most sophisticated firewall. I spent more than half my installation time working with the firewall.)

There are two methods to adjust this.


 * Through the VMWare networking utility (see this instruction blurb):
 * Start menu -> Programs -> VMWare -> VMWare Server -> Manage Virtual Networks


 * Manually through Windows networking:
 * Start menu -> Control Panel -> Networking and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings ->
 * -> Local Area Connection (Realtek Ethernet Adapter) -> VMWare Bridge Protocol: (ticked)
 * -> Local Area Connection 2 (VMWare Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMNet1) -> VMWare Bridge Protocol: (ticked)
 * -> Local Area Connection 3 (VMWare Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMNet8) -> VMWare Bridge Protocol: (ticked)
 * -> Wireless Network Connection (Atheros AR5007 802.11 a/g WiFi Adapter) -> VMWare Bridge Protocol: (ticked)

Create a Virtual Machine for Ubuntu

 * Create a new virtual machine:
 * VMWare -> Commands -> Create virtual machine ->
 * Name: VMWareVirtualUbuntu -> Next
 * Operating System: Linux operating system
 * Version: Ubuntu Linux (32-bit)


 * -> Next -> Memory: Size: 1024 Mb -> Processors: Count: 1


 * Note: Use the amount of RAM for the virtual machine that you can afford. Linux requires less memory to run than does Windows, but the amount of RAM that you dedicate to the virtual machine in this step will not be available to the Windows host. On my laptop, I have 3 Gb RAM, so I dedicate 1024 Mb (1 Gb) to the virtual machine in this step, leaving 2 Gb for Windows. You should always have at least 1 Gb RAM available for Windows (or it will run painfully slowly). Linux is able to run with only 512 Mb in server mode (or 1 Gb (perhaps less ?) in desktop mode).


 * -> Next -> Create a New Virtual Disk -> Next
 * -> Properties: Capacity: 8 GB -> Location: [standard] -> Next

Note: Use whatever size you can afford in Windows. This will take space from your hard drive (so make sure there is plenty available to begin with). A Linux server can easily run in 8 GB, but if you plan to run a GUI desktop in addition (the Ubuntu desktop or Kubuntu desktop, for example), you should consider making this between 10 -20 GB. (I usually just accept 8 GB.)

Note the location of the folder (on your hard drive) that has been specified as [standard]. (This folder was specified during the initial installation of VMWare Server. The default is C:\Virtual Machines).


 * -> Network Adapter -> Add a Network Adapter -> Next
 * -> Bridged


 * (See the networking considerations below.)


 * -> CD/DVD Drive: Host Media:
 * If you have burned the Ubuntu Server onto a physical CD (or DVD), then Use a Physical Drive -> Select CD Drive -> Next
 * If you have the Ubuntu Server (.iso) image stored on your hard drive, then Use an ISO Image -> Next
 * ->Image File: -> Browse... -> [standard] -> ubuntu-9.10-server-i386.iso

Note: The Ubuntu Server (.iso) image must have been previously copied to the [standard] virtual machine folder (default is C:\Virtual Machines) if you wish to use it (instead of a physical CD) for installation.


 * -> Next -> Floppy Drive: Don't Add a Floppy Drive (unless you actually have one, of course)
 * -> USB Controller: Add a USB Controller -> Next
 * -> (More Hardware if you have any)
 * -> Finish

Now you will have a new virtual machine. You could create multiple virtual machines in this fashion, if desired. (You could even run several virtual machines simultaneously (were you to have enough RAM and hard drive resources).


 * Install the VMWare remote console plugin into your browser:
 * VMWare -> Inventory -> VMWareVirtualUbuntu -> Console -> VMWare Remote Console Plug-in: Install plug-in


 * This installs a plug-in for your browser (Firefox, IE, etc.)

Start the virtual machine automatically at bootup

 * VMWare User Interface -> Commands -> Edit Virtual Machine Startup/Shutdown Settings ->
 * Allow virtual machines to start and stop automatically with the system