Installing VMware Server on centos 5 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 64 bit version

Document directory

• Step #1: Download VMware Server
• Step #2: Install VMware Server
• Step #3: install required files/Libraries
• Step #4: Install xinetd
• Step #5: Configure VMware Server
• How do I manage my VMware Server remotely?
• See also:

VMware virtualization software is an excllent choice for x86-compatible computers. they have both implements cial and free version. I have Ed few email regarding VMWare on 64 bit Linux. installing VMware Server on centos 5 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 64 bit version isTricky business. In this small howto I will explain VMware installation on 64 bit Linux server without facing any dependencies problem.

Following instructions are tested on bothRHEL 5AndCentos 5Running 64 bit Intel/AMD hardware and software. My kernel:
$ uname -mrs
Output:

Linux 2.6.18-8.1.6.el5 x86_64

My RHEL 5 release (same kernel for centos ):
$ cat /etc/redhat-release
Output:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5 (Tikanga)

Make sure you have following software installed:

• Full GCC compiler and development environment
• Kernel headers and devel packages for current kernel (I. e. kernel-headers and kernel-devel)

 

Step #1: Download VMware Server

You can download VMware Server here. Use wget command to download:
$ Wget http: // download3...

Step #2: Install VMware Server

Once downloaded use RPM command to install VMware sever, enter:
# rpm -ivh VMware-server-1.0.3-44356.i386.rpm
Output:

Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]   1:VMware-server          ########################################### [100%]

Step #3: install required files/Libraries

You need to install following development package/files on server:

1. Libxtst-devel: X. Org X11 libxtst development package
2. Libxrender-devel: X. Org X11 libxrender development package

Simply use Yum command to install packages:
# yum install libXtst-devel libXrender-devel kernel-devel
Output:

Loading "rhnplugin" pluginLoading "installonlyn" pluginSetting up Install ProcessSetting up repositoriesrhel-x86_64-server-vt-5   100% |=========================| 1.2 kB    00:00rhel-x86_64-server-5      100% |=========================| 1.2 kB    00:00Reading repository metadata in from local filesParsing package install arguments..................Running Transaction  Installing: libXtst                      ######################### [1/8]  Installing: libXau-devel                 ######################### [2/8]  Installing: xorg-x11-proto-devel         ######################### [3/8]  Installing: libX11-devel                 ######################### [4/8]  Installing: libXdmcp-devel               ######################### [5/8]  Installing: libXtst-devel                ######################### [6/8]  Installing: libXtst-devel                ######################### [7/8]  Installing: mesa-libGL-devel             ######################### [8/8] Installed: libXtst-devel.x86_64 0:1.0.1-3.1 libXtst-devel.i386 0:1.0.1-3.1Dependency Installed: libX11-devel.x86_64 0:1.0.3-8.0.1.el5 libXau-devel.x86_64 0:1.0.1-3.1 libXdmcp-devel.x86_64 0:1.0.1-2.1 libXtst.i386 0:1.0.1-3.1 mesa-libGL-devel.x86_64 0:6.5.1-7.2.el5 xorg-x11-proto-devel.x86_64 0:7.1-9.fc6Complete!

Step #4: Install xinetd

You need xinetd the extended Internet services daemon/service in order to use VMware console from remote computer. Use Yum command to install xinetd:
# yum install xinetd

Step #5: Configure VMware Server

Use vmware-config.pl script to configure VMware networking and other aspects.
# vmware-config.pl
Output (Make sure you setup VMware as per your requirments, following is just a sample output ):

Making sure services for VMware Server are stopped.Stopping VMware services:   Virtual machine monitor                                 [  OK  ]You must read and accept the End User License Agreement to continue.Press enter to display it.............will provide you with a copy of ourdistribution agreement for your signature.   Do you accept? (yes/no)    yesThank you.Configuring fallback GTK+ 2.4 libraries.In which directory do you want to install the mime type icons?[/usr/share/icons] What directory contains your desktop menu entry files? These files have a.desktop file extension. [/usr/share/applications]In which directory do you want to install the application's icon?[/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 yourrunning kernel.  Do you want this program to try to build the vmmon module foryour system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your system)? [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 runningkernel? [/lib/modules/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5/build/include] Extracting the sources of the vmmon module.Building the vmmon module.Using 2.6.x kernel build system.make: Entering directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only'make -C /lib/modules/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5/build/include/.. SUBDIRS=$PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. modulesmake[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5-x86_64'  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/linux/driver.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/linux/hostif.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/cpuid.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/hash.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/memtrack.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/phystrack.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/task.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/common/vmx86.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/vmcore/moduleloop.o  LD [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/vmmon.o  Building modules, stage 2.  MODPOST  CC      /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/vmmon.mod.o  LD [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only/vmmon.komake[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5-x86_64'cp -f vmmon.ko ./../vmmon.omake: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmon-only'The module loads perfectly in the running kernel.Do you want networking for your virtual machines? (yes/no/help) [yes] Configuring a bridged network for vmnet0.Your computer has multiple ethernet network interfaces available: eth0, eth1.Which one do you want to bridge to vmnet0? [eth0] eth1The following bridged networks have been defined:. vmnet0 is bridged to eth1Do you wish to configure another bridged network? (yes/no) [no] Do you want to be able to use NAT networking in your virtual machines? (yes/no)[yes] noDo you want to be able to use host-only networking in your virtual machines?[no] Extracting the sources of the vmnet module.Building the vmnet module.Using 2.6.x kernel build system.make: Entering directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only'make -C /lib/modules/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5/build/include/.. SUBDIRS=$PWD SRCROOT=$PWD/. modulesmake[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5-x86_64'  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/driver.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/hub.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/userif.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/netif.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/bridge.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/procfs.o  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/smac_compat.o  SHIPPED /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/smac_linux.x86_64.o  LD [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/vmnet.o  Building modules, stage 2.  MODPOSTWARNING: could not find /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/.smac_linux.x86_64.o.cmd for /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/smac_linux.x86_64.o  CC      /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/vmnet.mod.o  LD [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only/vmnet.komake[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/kernels/2.6.18-8.1.6.el5-x86_64'cp -f vmnet.ko ./../vmnet.omake: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmnet-only'The module loads perfectly in the running kernel.The default port : 902 is not free. We have selected a suitable alternativeport for VMware Server use. You may override this value now.Remember to use this port when connecting to this server.Please specify a port for remote console connections to use [904] WARNING: VMware Server has been configured to run on a port different from thedefault port. Remember to use this port when connecting to this server.Stopping xinetd:                                           [  OK  ]Starting xinetd:                                           [  OK  ]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 CertificateIn which directory do you want to keep your virtual machine files?[/var/lib/vmware/Virtual Machines] The path "/var/lib/vmware/Virtual Machines" does not exist currently. Thisprogram is going to create it, including needed parent directories. Is thiswhat you want? [yes] Please enter your 20-character serial number.Type XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX or 'Enter' to cancel:  XYZZZ-XYZZZ-XYZZZ-ABC91Starting VMware services:   Virtual machine monitor                                 [  OK  ]   Virtual ethernet                                        [  OK  ]   Bridged networking on /dev/vmnet0                       [  OK  ]The configuration of VMware Server 1.0.3 build-44356 for Linux for this runningkernel completed successfully.

How do I manage my VMware Server remotely?

You can now connect fromLocal ComputerUsing vmware-server-console program:

• Configure VM guest OSes
• Configure VM hardware
• Install new vps/Vm guest OSes such as FreeBSD, windows or any other operating systems etc

$ vmware-server-console &
You need to enter host name IP: Port, username and password to access VMware Server.

See also:

• Howto install and connect VMware Server using Webbased Remote Management Interface
• Start and Stop VMware VPs/virtual machine guest operating system from Command Line
• Installing VMWare on RHEL 4/centos 4 64-bit Linux

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