How Do You Install VMware on Linux Ubuntu Step by Step?
Virtualization has become an essential tool for developers, IT professionals, and tech enthusiasts alike, enabling multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single physical machine. Among the various virtualization platforms available, VMware stands out for its robust performance, user-friendly interface, and versatile features. If you’re using Linux Ubuntu and want to harness the power of VMware, understanding how to install and configure it properly is the first crucial step.
Installing VMware on Ubuntu opens up a world of possibilities—from testing different operating systems and software environments to creating isolated sandboxes for development and troubleshooting. While the process might seem daunting at first, especially for those new to Linux or virtualization, it’s actually quite straightforward once you know the right steps and prerequisites. This guide will walk you through the essentials, ensuring you’re well-prepared to set up VMware and start exploring its capabilities on your Ubuntu system.
Before diving into the installation, it’s helpful to grasp the basics of what VMware offers and why it’s a popular choice among Ubuntu users. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the installation process and be ready to leverage VMware to enhance your computing experience. Whether you’re aiming to run multiple OSes, test software, or simply expand your technical skill set, this sets the stage for
Preparing Your Ubuntu System for VMware Installation
Before installing VMware on Ubuntu, it is essential to prepare your system to ensure a smooth installation process. This preparation involves updating your system, installing necessary dependencies, and setting up the environment for VMware to function correctly.
Start by updating the package lists and upgrading existing packages to their latest versions. This ensures compatibility and security:
“`bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
“`
Next, install the essential build tools and Linux kernel headers, which VMware requires to compile its kernel modules:
“`bash
sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) -y
“`
The `build-essential` package includes the GCC compiler and other tools needed for compiling software. The `linux-headers-$(uname -r)` package matches your current kernel version, providing the necessary source files for building kernel modules VMware uses.
Additionally, verify that Secure Boot is disabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Secure Boot can interfere with the loading of VMware kernel modules, causing the installation to fail or VMware to malfunction.
To check the status of Secure Boot, run:
“`bash
mokutil –sb-state
“`
If Secure Boot is enabled, you must disable it by accessing your system’s BIOS/UEFI setup during boot.
Downloading the VMware Workstation Installer
VMware Workstation comes as a standalone installer file which you need to download from VMware’s official website. The file is typically a `.bundle` script that facilitates installation on Linux systems.
Follow these steps to download the installer:
- Navigate to the official VMware Workstation Pro Linux download page:
https://www.vmware.com/go/downloadworkstation-linux
- Choose the latest version available for Linux.
- Download the `.bundle` installer file to a convenient location, such as your `Downloads` folder.
Alternatively, you can use the terminal and `wget` command to download the installer directly:
“`bash
cd ~/Downloads
wget https://www.vmware.com/go/getworkstation-linux
“`
Make sure to verify the checksum of the downloaded file to ensure integrity and authenticity. VMware usually provides SHA256 or MD5 checksums on their download page.
Installing VMware Workstation on Ubuntu
Once the installer is downloaded and your system is prepared, proceed with the installation steps.
First, make the `.bundle` installer executable:
“`bash
chmod +x ~/Downloads/VMware-Workstation-Full-*.bundle
“`
Then, run the installer with administrative privileges:
“`bash
sudo ~/Downloads/VMware-Workstation-Full-*.bundle
“`
The installer will launch a graphical installation wizard or run in a text-based interface if a GUI is not available. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. Typical options include accepting the license agreement, choosing installation paths, and optionally enabling VMware to check for product updates.
If you prefer a fully terminal-based installation, append the `–console` flag to the command:
“`bash
sudo ~/Downloads/VMware-Workstation-Full-*.bundle –console
“`
During installation, VMware will attempt to compile and load kernel modules. If it fails, the installer will notify you with error messages. This usually happens if kernel headers are missing or incompatible.
Common Post-Installation Configuration Tasks
After installation, some additional configuration may be required to ensure VMware operates optimally.
- Start VMware Workstation: You can launch it from the application menu or by running `vmware` in the terminal.
- Accept License: The first run typically requires you to enter a license key or use the trial version.
- Configure Network Settings: VMware creates virtual network interfaces for bridged, NAT, and host-only networking. Verify these are functioning properly.
- Enable VMware Services: Ensure that services like `vmware-networks.service` and `vmware-usbarbitrator.service` are active:
“`bash
sudo systemctl enable –now vmware-networks.service
sudo systemctl enable –now vmware-usbarbitrator.service
“`
- Resolve Kernel Module Issues: If VMware modules fail to load after a kernel update, you may need to recompile them using:
“`bash
sudo vmware-modconfig –console –install-all
“`
Summary of Key Commands for Installation and Configuration
Purpose | Command | Description | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Update system packages | sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y |
Fetches latest package info and upgrades installed software | ||||||||||||||||||
Install build tools and headers | sudo apt install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r) -y |
Installs compilation tools and matching kernel headers | ||||||||||||||||||
Make installer executable | chmod +x VMware-Workstation-Full-*.bundle |
Grants execution permission to the VMware installer | ||||||||||||||||||
Run installer | sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-*.bundle |
Starts the VMware installation process | ||||||||||||||||||
Enable VMware network services | sudo systemctl enable --now vmware-networks.service |
Activates VMware network support services | ||||||||||||||||||
Recompile VMware kernel modules | sudo vmware-modconfig --console --install-all |
Rebuilds
Preparing Your Ubuntu System for VMware InstallationBefore proceeding with the VMware installation on Ubuntu, it is essential to ensure your system is properly configured. This preparation guarantees a smooth installation process and optimal performance. Start by updating your Ubuntu system to have the latest package lists and security patches. Open a terminal and execute the following commands:
Next, install the required dependencies that VMware needs to build its kernel modules and run correctly. These packages include build tools, header files for your current kernel, and other utilities:
Install these dependencies using the following command:
Ensure that Secure Boot is disabled in your system BIOS/UEFI settings, as VMware kernel modules may fail to load if Secure Boot is enabled. This step varies by manufacturer, so consult your motherboard or laptop documentation to disable it. Downloading and Installing VMware Workstation on UbuntuVMware Workstation is a powerful virtualization software that can be installed on Ubuntu. The official VMware website provides the latest installer in a bundled `.bundle` file format.
Once downloaded, follow these steps to install VMware Workstation:
The graphical installer will launch, guiding you through the installation process. You may customize installation options or proceed with default settings. Configuring VMware Workstation Post-InstallationAfter installation, VMware Workstation requires some configuration to ensure proper functionality, especially for kernel modules and networking:
If compilation fails, confirm that the kernel headers and build tools are correctly installed, and retry the process. In some cases, patching the VMware modules may be necessary after kernel updates. For network configuration, VMware creates virtual network adapters (vmnet0, vmnet1, vmnet8). To manage these, use the built-in Virtual Network Editor available under the VMware menu. You may need to run VMware as root to access advanced network settings:
Adjust NAT, bridged, and host-only network configurations according to your requirements. Installing VMware Tools in a Virtual MachineTo improve performance and integration between the host Ubuntu system and guest virtual machines, installing VMware Tools inside each guest OS is recommended. VMware Tools provide:
After creating and starting a virtual machine, mount the VMware Tools virtual CD image through the VM menu:
On Linux guests, this typically involves running a Perl script provided on the mounted CD:
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