How to VMWare Server 2.0 on Ubuntu 8.10

[bodhi.zazen]

Install VMWare Server 2.0 in Ubuntu 8.10

<click image for larger view>

Introduction

Server 2 installs easily and without any major difficulties. I find it has less features then 1.0.7 (I could not find an option to boot a physical partition for example).

Advantages:

• Nice web interface (yes, I know there is a web interface for 1.0.x).
• Easy to install, no patches necessary.

Disadvantages:

• For some reason it seems slower, more bloated.
• Less features.

Installation

OK, enough, tell us how to install it already

1. Prep.
   

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

2. Download : http://www.vmware.com/download/server/
   
   • Be sure to download the appropriate arch for your host (32 vs 64 bit).
   • Do not forget to get a serial number
   
   
   * Personally I save this to ~/src/vmware , you will need to adapt this how-to if you save it elsewhere (ie ~/Desktop).
   
   
3. Extract.
   
   

   cd ~/src/vmware
   tar xzvf VMware-server-2*

4. Install.
   

   cd vmware-server-distrib
   sudo ./vmware-install.pl

   Unless you know what you are doing, select the defaults.
   
   When you get to the question:
   
   

   The current administrative user for VMware Server is ''. Would you like to
   specify a different administrator? [no]

   Enter "yes" and specify a non-root user. You will log into the web server with this user (using the same password to log onto Ubuntu).
   
   
5. Last you will need to configure your keyboard.
   
   Using any editor make a file ~/.vmware/config
   
   
   The directory ~/.vmware *should* exist, but the "config" file does not.
   
   Add the following text (from the VMWare forums):
   
   

   xkeymap.nokeycodeMap = TRUE

   WARNING: The 'xkeymap.nokeycodeMap = true' configuration breaks the Unity feature on VMWare Workstation! Use the alternate solution below.
   
   
   Old solution (I left this in the event the "new" configuration does not work, you do not need to do this if the above solution works).
   

   xkeymap.keycode.108 = 0x138 # Alt_R
    xkeymap.keycode.106 = 0x135 # KP_Divide
    xkeymap.keycode.104 = 0x11c # KP_Enter
    xkeymap.keycode.111 = 0x148 # Up
    xkeymap.keycode.116 = 0x150 # Down
    xkeymap.keycode.113 = 0x14b # Left
    xkeymap.keycode.114 = 0x14d # Right
    xkeymap.keycode.105 = 0x11d # Control_R
    xkeymap.keycode.118 = 0x152 # Insert
    xkeymap.keycode.119 = 0x153 # Delete
    xkeymap.keycode.110 = 0x147 # Home
    xkeymap.keycode.115 = 0x14f # End
    xkeymap.keycode.112 = 0x149 # Prior
    xkeymap.keycode.117 = 0x151 # Next
    xkeymap.keycode.78 = 0x46 # Scroll_Lock
    xkeymap.keycode.127 = 0x100 # Pause
    xkeymap.keycode.133 = 0x15b # Meta_L
    xkeymap.keycode.134 = 0x15c # Meta_R
    xkeymap.keycode.135 = 0x15d # Menu

   Thanks nthrbldyblg

Run VMWare

sudo /etc/init.d/vmware start|stop|status|restart

Open a browse and enter :

localhost:8222

If you prefer https (you will be redirected automatically to https if you are connecting remotely):

localhost:8333

Enter your user name and password.

The only caveat is you will need to install a plug in in Firefox (or *gasp* IE) to view the guests on the VMWare console.

If you wish to access the machines over the Internet you must forward ports 902, 8222, and 8333.

[rkrishnam_can01]

Thanks bodhi.zazen. This post helped me.

[handband2]

bodhi.zazen thanks. You beat me too it

I would also like to share a script I run to backup my virtual machines. This script is pieced together from all the other scripts floating around on the web.

[bodhi.zazen]

You are most welcome, glad it worked for you.

[uomolinux]

bodhi.zazen thanks. You beat me too it

I would also like to share a script I run to backup my virtual machines. This script is pieced together from all the other scripts floating around on the web.

Hi all!
Could you please tell me how do you use your scripts to backup your machines?
Thank you!

[handband2]

Hi all!
Could you please tell me how do you use your scripts to backup your machines?
Thank you!

Download the scripts:

wget http://handband.net/projects/vmware-scripts.tar.gz

Extract the scripts:

tar -zxvf vmware-scripts.tar.gz

Open up the script to modify

gedit vmware-backup.sh

Modify
USER=USERNAME
PASS=PASSWORD
BACKUPDEST=/backup/vmware
DAYS_TO_KEEP_TAR=1

Notes:
- USER and PASS has to be the same as the one created when installing VMware Server 2.
- Make sure BACKUPDEST goes to an actual location recognized by your computer and has enough space to create the backup.
- DAYS_TO_KEEP_TAR is exactly what it says.
- Save changes to file.

Make the script executable:

chmod +x vmware-backup.sh

Run the script as sudo or root:

sudo ./vmware-backup.sh

-----

If you want it to run at scheduled times then insert something like the following in the sudo's crontab:

sudo crontab -e

0 2 * * * /bin/bash /home/username/vmware-backup.sh > /home/username/vmware.log 2>&1

* Change items in red to the correct locations!

This will run the script at 2 am everyday and create a log file.

The log file isn't necessary but can be important!

It is also possible to have the log file emailed (which I can write up a howto if you want?).

[uomolinux]

thank you vary much handband2. I will try your scripts as soon as possible!
Now I have another BIG problem
I cannot connect (pass) usb devices to my linux VMs:
- I insert my usb drive, I select the device from whithin the server web interface, but my VMs doesn't see it.
The VM is SMEsever 7.4 (centos based).
The same VM running in a windows version of vmware server 2, works like a charm.
If I connect the device to a windows VM, (on ubuntu vmware server host) works!
This is very strange!!!

When I plug the pendrive into the server this message appears many times:

[12314123.12341234] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdc] Assuming drive cache: write throug

Have you an idea???

[dcstar]

.......
Server 2 installs easily and without any major difficulties. I find it has less features then 1.0.7 (I could not find an option to boot a physical partition for example).
.......
Disadvantages:

• For some reason it seems slower, more bloated.
• Less features.

.....

And for anyone that finds 2.0 an unreliable, slow P.O.S. and made the mistake of "upgrading" their VMs before deciding to ditch it, you can actually fix your VMs so they will again run in 1.0.7.

It is just a matter of editing a couple of config files (.vmx and also the .vmdk, if you have it) and making the following lines the value of 4:

virtualHW.version = "4"
ddb.virtualHWVersion = "4"

[handband2]

Having problems with permissions of a VM (error: RuntimeFault: Database temporarily unavailable or has network problems. )? I found this on the VMware forums:

- Stop vmware management

sudo /etc/init.d/vmware-mgmt stop

- Edit vmware management

sudo vim /etc/vmware/hostd/authorization.xml

- Edit the line that talks about

<NextAceId>11</NextAceId>

- Incrament it past the current "root" or administrator account you have. So it now reads

<NextAceId>12</NextAceId>

or to be safe (for many users)

<NextAceId>20</NextAceId>

- Delete

<NextRoleId>11</NextRoleId>

- Start vmware management

sudo /etc/init.d/vmware-mgmt start

-Re-login to VMware Infrastructure Web Access

I hope this will help!

Source: http://communities.vmware.com/message/1070373

[remy06]

Hi bodhi.zazen,

Thanks.Your post helps and managed to fix the keyboard issue.

However,during installation i got the vsock warning.I have a thread here:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=975084

I'm able to complete the installation though,but am wondering if there is any solution for this?

Have also tried the following links and patch but the issue persist:
http://kramfs.com/2008/07/13/vmware-...-vsock-module/
http://www.insecure.ws/2008/10/20/vm...nd-kernel-2627