Ws7 Manual

Workstation Users Manual
VMware Workstation 7.0
This document supports the version of each product listed and

supports all subsequent versions until the document is replaced
by a new edition. To check for more recent editions of this
document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
EN-000168-00
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international copyright and intellectual property laws. VMware products are covered by one or more
patents listed at http://www.vmware.com/go/patents.
VMware is a registered trademark or trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other
jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective
companies.
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www.vmware.com
2
VMware, Inc.
Contents
AboutThisBook
19
1 IntroductionandSystemRequirements 21
ProductBenefits 21
OverviewofThisManual 22
HostSystemRequirements 23
PCHardware 23
Memory 23
Display 24
DiskDrives 24
LocalAreaNetworking 25
HostOperatingSystem 25
VirtualMachineSpecifications 29
Processor 29
ChipSet 29
BIOS 30
Memory 30
Graphics 30
IDEDrives 30
SCSIDevices 30
FloppyDrives 31
Serial(COM)Ports 31
Parallel(LPT)Ports 31
USBPorts 31
Keyboard 31
MouseandDrawingTablets 31
EthernetCard 32
Sound 32
VirtualNetworking 32
SupportedGuestOperatingSystems 32
Supportfor64BitGuestOperatingSystems 37
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2 InstallingandUpgradingVMwareWorkstation 39
InstallationPrerequisites 39
SharingaWorkstationHostwithOtherVMwareProducts 40
InstallWorkstationonaWindowsHost 41
InstallWorkstationSilently 42
UninstallWorkstationfromaWindowsHost 44
InstallWorkstationonaLinuxHost 44
UsingCommandLineInstallationOptions 46
UninstallWorkstationfromaLinuxHost 47
PreparingforanUpgrade 47
UpgradeWorkstationonaWindowsHost 48
UpgradingtoaWindowsVistaandWindows7Host 49
UpgradeWorkstationonaLinuxHost 51
3 LearningWorkstationBasics 53
StartWorkstationonaWindowsHost 53
StartWorkstationonaLinuxHost 54
OverviewoftheWorkstationWindow 54
HomePageandViews 56
ToolbarButtons 59
ViewtheSidebar 62
FavoritesListintheSidebar 63
CheckforProductUpdates 65
QuicklyCreateaVirtualMachineandInstallanOperatingSystem 66
IntroductiontoWorkstationPreferences 67
IntroductiontoVirtualMachineSettings 69
HardwareTab 69
OptionsTab 70
ClosingVirtualMachinesandExitingWorkstation 71
SetaVirtualMachinetoRunintheBackground 72
KeyboardShortcuts 72
ChangetheHotKeyCombination 74
GatheringInformationforVMwareTechnicalSupport 75
RegisterandCreateaSupportRequest 75
GatherDebuggingInformationforaVirtualMachine 75
RunningtheSupportScript 76
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Contents
4 CreatingandUpgradingaVirtualMachine 79
MethodsofCreatingVirtualMachines 79
ConfigurationOptionsfortheNewVirtualMachineWizard 80
EasyInstallFeatureforSomeGuestOperatingSystems 80
TypicalComparedtoCustomConfigurations 82
GuestOperatingSystemSelection 83
VirtualMachineLocation 83
VirtualHardwareCompatibilityLevels 84
NumberofProcessors 84
MemoryAllocation 85
NetworkConnectionType 85
I/OAdapterTypes 86
DiskTypes 86
NormalandIndependentDiskModes 87
VirtualDisksandPhysicalDisks 87
DiskCapacity 88
PocketACEDiskSizeCalculatoronWindowsOnly 88
UsetheNewVirtualMachineWizard 89
InstallingaGuestOperatingSystem 89
InstallationRequirementsfortheESXGuestOperatingSystem 90
RespondtoEasyInstallPrompts 90
InstallaGuestOperatingSystemManually 91
UseaParavirtualizedKernelinLinuxGuests 93
UpgradeaGuestOperatingSystem 94
ChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachine 94
UsinganOlderVersionVirtualMachineWithoutUpgrading 96
FilesThatMakeUpaVirtualMachine 97
5 InstallingandUsingVMwareTools 101
ComponentsofVMwareTools 101
VMwareToolsService 102
VMwareDeviceDrivers 102
VMwareUserProcess 103
VMwareToolsControlPanel 104
InstallingVMwareTools 104
InstallVMwareToolsinaWindowsGuest 104
ConfiguretheVideoDriveronOlderVersionsofWindows 105
AutomatetheInstallationofVMwareToolsinaWindowsGuest 106
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InstallVMwareToolsinaLinuxGuest 109
InstallVMwareToolsinaSolarisGuest 111
InstallVMwareToolsinaFreeBSDGuest 112
InstallVMwareToolsinaNetWareGuest 113
StarttheVMwareUserProcessManuallyIfYouDoNotUseaSession
Manager 114
VMwareToolsUpdateProcess 115
HowAutomaticUpdatesOccur 115
HowYouAreNotifiedtoDoaManualUpdate 116
UseGlobalSettingstoUpdateVMwareToolsAutomatically 116
SetVMwareToolsUpdateOptionsforEachVirtualMachine 117
UpdateVMwareToolsinOlderWindowsVirtualMachines 117
UninstallVMwareTools 118
RepairorChangeInstalledModulesinaWindowsGuest 118
OpentheVMwareToolsControlPanel 119
UsetheWindowsControlPaneltoDisplaytheTaskbarIcon 120
OptionsTabSettings 120
DevicesTabSettings 122
ScriptsTabSettings 122
ShrinkTabSettings 123
AboutTab 123
ConfigureVMwareToolsinaNetWareGuest 123
CustomizationstoVMwareTools 125
HowVMwareToolsScriptsAffectPowerStates 125
ExecuteCommandsAfterYouPowerOfforResetaVirtualMachine 128
PassingaStringfromtheHosttotheGuestatStartup 129
PassingInformationBetweentheGuestandAnotherProgram 131
UsetheVMwareToolsServiceCommandLineInterface 132
6 CreatingaVirtualMachinefromaSystemImageorAnotherVirtual
Machine
133
ConversionProcessforImportingfromOtherFormats 133
VMwareConverterComparedtotheConversionWizard 135
SupportedSourceMachines 135
ImportingfromVariousSources 136
SupportedDestinations 140
DesignatingaDestinationforaVirtualMachine 140
ConversionImpactonSettings 142
MigrationIssuesCausedbyHardwareChanges 143
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OpenaThirdPartyVirtualMachineorSystemImage 143
ImportaVirtualMachine,VirtualAppliance,orSystemImage
ImportaWindowsXPModeVirtualMachine 145
144
7 GettingStartedwithVirtualMachines 147
StartingaVirtualMachine 148
StartaVirtualMachinefromtheWorkstationUserInterface 148
StartaVirtualMachineThatIsRunningintheBackground 149
StartaVirtualMachinebyUsingVMStreaming 149
VirtualMachineLocation 150
ShutDownaVirtualMachine 151
ConfigurePowerOffandResetOptionsforaVirtualMachine 152
DownloadComponents 153
PausingaVirtualMachine 154
PauseFeatureLimitations 154
PauseandUnpauseaVirtualMachine 155
EncryptingaVirtualMachine 155
RestrictionsonEncryption 156
EncryptaVirtualMachine 156
RemoveEncryptionfromaVirtualMachine 157
ChangethePasswordforanEncryptedVirtualMachine 157
DeleteaVirtualMachine 158
ControllingtheVirtualMachineDisplay 158
UsingUnityMode 158
UseFullScreenMode 162
UseQuickSwitchMode 165
UseExclusiveMode 165
UseMultipleMonitorsforOneVirtualMachine 166
UseMultipleMonitorsforMultipleVirtualMachines 169
FittingtheWorkstationConsoletotheVirtualMachineDisplay 169
WorkingwithNonstandardResolutions 171
ConfiguringVideoandSound 172
SettingScreenColorDepth 172
SupportforDirect3DGraphics 173
ConfiguringSound 175
InstallNewSoftwareinaVirtualMachine 179
DisableAccelerationIfaProgramDoesNotRun 179
ReportBatteryInformationintheGuest 180
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UseHostPrintersinaVirtualMachine 180
UseRemovableDevicesinaVirtualMachine 181
ConfiguretheApplianceViewforaVirtualMachine 182
CreateaScreenshotofaVirtualMachine 183
CreateandPlayBackaMovieofaVirtualMachine 184
AdvancedOptionsforApplicationDevelopers 185
8 TransferringFilesandTextBetweentheHostandGuest 187
UsingtheDragandDropFeature 187
EnableorDisabletheDragandDropFeature 188
UsingtheCopyandPasteFeature 189
EnableorDisabletheCopyandPasteFeature 190
UsingSharedFolders 190
SetUpSharedFolders 191
EnablingandDisablingSharedFolders 193
ViewingaSharedFolder 195
PermissionsandFolderMountingforSharedFoldersonLinuxGuests 196
UsingaMappedDrive 198
MaporMountaVirtualDisktoaDriveontheHost 199
DisconnecttheHostfromtheVirtualDisk 200
9 PreservingtheStateofaVirtualMachine 201
UsingtheSuspendandResumeFeatures 201
UseHardSuspendorSoftSuspend 201
SuspendorResumeaVirtualMachine 202
UsingSnapshots 203
ScenariosforUsingMultipleSnapshots 203
InformationCapturedbySnapshots 205
SnapshotConflicts 206
EnableorDisableBackgroundSnapshots 206
ExcludeaVirtualDiskfromSnapshots 207
SnapshotManagerOverview 208
TakeaSnapshot 209
RenameaSnapshotorRecording 210
RestoreanEarlierStatefromaSnapshot 211
DeleteaSnapshotoraRecording 212
TakeorReverttoaSnapshotatPowerOff 213
UsingAutoProtectSnapshots 214
SnapshotsandWorkstation4VirtualMachines 215
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10 Cloning,Moving,andSharingVirtualMachines 217
TheVirtualMachinesUniversalUniqueIdentifier 217
UUIDOptionsWhenYouMoveaVirtualMachine 218
SpecifyaUUIDforaVirtualMachine 218
CloningaVirtualMachine 219
TypesofClones 220
CreatingClones 221
MovingaVirtualMachine 223
HostswithDifferentHardware 223
MoveaVirtualMachinetoaNewLocationoraNewHost 225
MovinganOlderVirtualMachine 226
MovingLinkedClones 227
SharingVirtualMachineswithOtherUsers 227
UsingVNCforRemoteConnectionstoaVirtualMachine 228
ConfigureaVirtualMachineasaVNCServer 228
UseaVNCClienttoConnecttoaVirtualMachine 229
MakeVirtualMachinesAvailableforStreamingfromaWebServer 230
SharingVirtualMachineswithVMwarePlayer 231
StartandExitVMwarePlayer 232
SettingUpVirtualMachinesforUsewithVMwarePlayer 233
11 UsingDisksandDiskDrives 235
VirtualMachineDiskStorage 235
BenefitsofUsingVirtualDisks 236
PhysicalDisks 238
VirtualDiskMaintenanceTasks 238
DefragmentVirtualDisks 239
CompactaVirtualDisk 240
ExpandaVirtualDisk 240
AddingVirtualandPhysicalDiskstoaVirtualMachine 241
AddaNewVirtualDisktoaVirtualMachine 242
AddanExistingVirtualDisktoaVirtualMachine 243
RemoveaVirtualDiskfromaVirtualMachine 243
UsingPhysicalDisksinaVirtualMachine 244
AddingDVD/CDROMandFloppyDrivestoaVirtualMachine 250
AddDVDorCDDrivestoaVirtualMachine 250
AddaFloppyDrivetoaVirtualMachine 252
ConnectaCDROM,DVD,orFloppyDrivetoanImageFile 253
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UsingVMwareVirtualDiskManager 254
UsingDualBootComputerswithVirtualMachines 254
LegacyVirtualDisks 254
12 RecordingandReplayingVirtualMachineActivity 257
UsesoftheRecord/ReplayFeature 257
PhysicalandVirtualHardwareRequirements 258
ConfigureRecord/ReplayforaVirtualMachine 259
RecordControlDialogBoxFeatures 261
ReplayControlDialogBoxFeatures 262
CreateaRecording 264
ReplayaRecording 265
BrowseaRecording 266
UsinganExecutionTraceFileofaRecording 266
EnableExecutionTracingforaRecording 267
CreateanExecutionTraceFileofaRecording 268
MaintenanceTasksforUsingRecordings 268
DeleteaRecording 268
DisablePeriodicScreenshots 269
13 ConfiguringTeams 271
BenefitsofUsingTeams 271
ManagingTeams 272
CreateaTeam 272
OpenaTeamandAddIttotheFavoritesList 273
RenameaTeam 274
PowerOfforCloseaTeam 274
DeleteaTeam 275
SummaryandConsoleViewsforTeamsandTheirVirtualMachines 276
ManagingtheMembersofaTeam 276
AddaVirtualMachinetoaTeam 276
RemoveaVirtualMachinefromaTeam 277
SpecifytheStartupSequenceforaTeam 278
PowerOperationsforTeamsandTheirMembers 279
PowerOnaTeam 279
SuspendorResumeaTeam 279
PerformPowerOperationsonOneTeamMember 280
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Contents
WorkingwithTeamNetworks 280
LANSegmentRequirementsRegardingIPAddresses 280
CreateaTeamLANSegment 281
ConfigureLANSegments 281
AddorRemoveNetworkAdapters 282
DeleteaLANSegment 283
CloningandTakingSnapshotsofTeamVirtualMachines 283
14 ConfiguringaVirtualNetwork 285
ComponentsoftheVirtualNetwork 285
VirtualSwitch 285
DHCPServer 286
NetworkAdapter 286
CommonNetworkingConfigurations 286
BridgedNetworking 287
NetworkAddressTranslation(NAT) 289
HostOnlyNetworking 290
ExampleofaCustomNetworkingConfiguration 291
SetUpaCustomNetworkingConfiguration 292
ChangingaNetworkingConfiguration 295
FindtheNetworkTypeofaVirtualMachine 295
AddVirtualNetworkAdapters 295
ModifyExistingVirtualNetworkAdapters 296
ConfiguringBridgedNetworking 297
ConfigureVMnet0AutomaticBridgedNetworkingonaWindowsHost 297
Configurevmnet0AutomaticBridgedNetworkingonaLinuxHost 298
SettingUpaSecondAutomaticBridgedNetworkInterface 299
ChangingtheSubnetorDHCPSettingsforaVirtualNetwork 299
ChangeSubnetorDHCPSettingsonaWindowsHost 300
ChangeSubnetorDHCPSettingsonaLinuxHost 300
ConfiguringHostVirtualNetworkAdapters 301
ConnectorDisconnectaHostVirtualNetworkAdapter 301
SettingUpTwoSeparateHostOnlyNetworks 302
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15 AdvancedVirtualNetworking 303
SelectingIPAddressesonaHostOnlyNetworkorNATConfiguration 304
HowtheSubnetNumberIsAssigned 304
DeterminingWhethertoUseDHCPorStaticallyAssignAddresses 305
DHCPConventionsforAssigningIPAddresses 305
ConfiguretheDHCPServeronaWindowsHost 306
ConfiguretheDHCPServeronaLinuxHost 306
AvoidingIPPacketLeakageinaHostOnlyNetwork 306
DisablePacketForwardingonWindowsHosts 307
DisablePacketForwardingonLinuxHosts 308
MaintainingandChangingtheMACAddressofaVirtualMachine 308
AvoidingMACAddressChanges 308
AssigntheSameMACAddresstoAnyVirtualMachineManually 309
ControllingRoutingInformationforaHostOnlyNetworkonLinux 310
PotentialIssueswithHostOnlyNetworkingonLinux 311
DHCPDontheLinuxHostDoesNotWorkAfterInstallingWorkstation 311
DHCPandDDNS 311
ConfiguringHostOnlyVirtualMachines 312
SetUpUsingConfiguration1or2 312
SetUpUsingConfiguration3 313
CompleteConfiguringtheVirtualNetworkAdapters 313
SetUpRoutingBetweenTwoHostOnlyNetworks 314
UsingVirtualNetworkAdaptersinPromiscuousModeonaLinuxHost 316
UsingNAT 316
HowtheNATDeviceUsestheVMnet8VirtualSwitch 317
DHCPontheNATNetwork 317
DNSontheNATNetwork 318
ExternalAccessfromtheNATNetwork 318
AdvancedNATConfiguration 319
ConfigureNATonaWindowsHost 319
CustomNATandDHCPConfigurationonaWindowsHost 319
SpecifyingConnectionsfromPortsBelow1024 320
ConfiguringNATonaLinuxHost 321
ConsiderationsforUsingNAT 324
UsingNATwithNetLogon 324
SampleLinuxnat.confFile 327
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Contents
UsingSambawithWorkstation 328
AddUserstotheSambaPasswordFile 329
UsingaSambaServerforBridgedandHostOnlyNetworks 329
UseSambaWithoutNetworkAccess 330
16 ConnectingDevices 331
UsingParallelPorts 331
AddaVirtualParallelPorttoaVirtualMachine 332
TroubleshootECRErrorsforParallelPorts 332
ConfiguringaParallelPortonaLinuxHost 333
UsingSerialPorts 335
AddaVirtualSerialPorttoaVirtualMachine 335
ChangetheInputSpeedoftheSerialConnection 337
DebuggingoveraVirtualSerialPort 338
ConfiguringKeyboardFeatures 339
UsetheEnhancedVirtualKeyboardforWindowsHosts 339
HotKeysforVirtualMachines 340
SpecifyaLanguageKeyboardMapforVNCClients 341
KeyboardMappingonaLinuxHost 342
UsingUSBDevicesinaVirtualMachine 351
EnabletheUSB2.0ControllerforaVirtualMachine 352
AddaUSBControllertoaVirtualMachine 352
ConnectingUSBDevices 353
USBDriverInstallationonaWindowsHost 355
AccessandUseaUSBDeviceonaLinuxHost 356
HowDeviceControlIsSharedBetweenHostandGuest 356
DisconnectingUSBDevicesfromaVirtualMachine 357
UseSmartCardswithVirtualMachines 358
SwitchtoUsingtheVirtualSmartCardReaderonLinuxHosts 360
DisableSmartCardSharing 360
SupportforGenericSCSIDevices 361
InstallingRequiredAdaptersorDriversforSomeWindowsGuests 362
AvoidingConcurrentAccessonLinuxHosts 363
AddaGenericSCSIDevicetoaVirtualMachine 363
TroubleshootProblemsDetectingGenericSCSIDevices 364
UseFourWayVirtualSymmetricMultiprocessing 366
UseaVirtualMachineThatOriginallyHadMoreThanFourVirtual
Processors 367
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17 SpecialPurposeConfigurationOptionsforWindowsHosts 369
RestrictingtheUserInterface 369
EnabletheRestrictedUserInterface 370
RestricttheUserInterfaceandReturntoaSnapshot 370
DisabletheRestrictedUserInterface 371
MakingaVirtualMachineAlwaysUseFullScreenSwitchMode 372
SpecifyGlobalConfigurationSettingsforFullScreenSwitchMode 372
VirtualKeyCodes 373
HotKeyforCyclingThroughVirtualMachinesandtheHostComputer 375
HotKeysforSwitchingDirectlytoVirtualMachinesandtheHost
Computer 375
OtherEntriesintheGlobalConfigurationFile 376
UsingvmwarefullscreentoRunaVirtualMachine 377
GuestACPIS1Sleep 380
18 LearningtheBasicsofVMwareACE 381
BenefitsofUsingVMwareACE 381
KeyFeaturesofVMwareACE 382
VMwareACETerminology 383
NetworkandDiskSpaceRequirementsfortheAdministrativeWorkstation 384
OverviewofCreatingandDeployingACEPackages 385
OverviewoftheACEUserInterface 386
TroubleshootingUsersProblems 387
19 SettingandUsingPoliciesandCustomizingVMwarePlayer 389
BenefitsofUsingPolicies 390
SetPoliciesforACEInstances 390
SettingAccessControlPolicies 391
CreateorEditanAccessControlPolicy 392
ActivationSettings 392
AuthenticationSettings 393
UsinganAuthenticationScript 394
IncludeaPowerOnandPowerOffScriptinthePackage
SetaRecoveryKeyforEncryptedACEInstances 396
SetActivationLimit 396
ActiveDirectoryPasswordChangeProxying 397
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Contents
SettingHosttoGuestDataScriptPolicies 397
SpecifyaScriptandaCommandtoRunIt 398
SettingExpirationPolicies 399
SettingCopyProtectionPolicies 400
SettingResourceSigningPolicies 401
SettingNetworkAccessPolicies 402
BeforeYouBeginSettingHostPolicies 402
UsetheNetworkAccessWizardtoConfigureNetworkAccess 403
GuidelinesforSpecifyingZoneConditions 404
UsingtheRulesetEditortoConfigureHostandGuestAccess 407
ChangeNATSettings 409
ConfigureWhichPhysicalNetworkAdaptertoUse 410
UnderstandingtheInteractionofHostandGuestAccessFilterswithTunneling
Protocols 411
UpdatingaNetworkAccessPolicy 411
SettingRemovableDevicesPolicies 411
SettingUSBDevicePolicies 412
AccessLevelsforUSBDevices 412
SetanAccessPolicyforUSBDevices 412
SettingVirtualPrinterPolicies 414
SettingRuntimePreferencesPolicies 415
RuntimePreferencesSettings 415
EnhancedVirtualKeyboardSettings 416
ExitBehaviorSettings 416
PocketACECacheSettings 417
SettingSnapshotPolicies 418
SettingAdministratorModePolicies 419
UseAdministratorModeonanACEInstance 419
SettingKioskModePolicies 420
ChangetheKeyCombinationforExitingKioskMode 420
SettingHotFixPoliciesforStandaloneACEInstances 421
SettingthePolicyUpdateFrequencyforManagedACEInstances 421
ControlWhichACEInstancesRunonaHost 422
WritingPlugInPolicyScripts 424
ExamplesofPolicyScripts 425
CustomizingtheVMwarePlayerInterfaceonWindowsHostsOnly 428
CreateandSpecifyaSkinFile 428
CustomizingtheVMwarePlayerIcons 429
CustomizingtheTitleBarText 430
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CustomizingtheRemovableDeviceDisplay 430
ShortcutKeyValues 432
SampleSkinFile 433
20 DeployingACEPackages 435
EditDeploymentSettings 435
EncryptionSettings 436
PackageLifetimeSettings 436
InstanceCustomizationonWindowsGuestsOnly 437
CustomEULASettings 445
DeploymentPlatformSettings 446
ACEResourcesDirectory 446
ReviewtheConfigurationofanACEEnabledVirtualMachine 447
UsePreviewModetoTestPolicyandDeploymentSettings 448
CreatingaPackage 449
OverviewofPackageCreationandValidation 450
TurnOfftheVMwareToolsCheckforTestDeployments 451
PrerequisitesforUsingthePackagingWizards 452
UsetheNewPackageWizard 453
ViewPackagePropertiesandAddNotes 454
PerformanEndtoEndDeploymentTest 455
DeployPackages 456
21 PocketACE 457
UseCasesforPocketACE 458
PortableDeviceRequirements 459
PoliciesandDeploymentSettingsforPocketACE 460
CreateaPocketACEPackage 460
DeployingtheACEPackageonaPortableDevice 461
UsetheGraphicalUtilitytoDeployPocketACEPackages 461
UsetheCommandLineUtilitytoDeployPocketACEPackages
RunthePocketACEInstance 463
462
22 InstallingACEPackages 465
InstallinganACEPackageonaWindowsHost 465
InstallanACEInstanceonaSingleWindowsHost 466
InstallinganACEPackageSilentlyonMultipleWindowsHosts 466
UninstallVMwarePlayeroranACEinstancefromaWindowsHost 468
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Contents
InstallinganACEPackageonaLinuxHost 469
ManuallyInstallVMwarePlayeronaLinuxHost 469
InstalltheACEInstanceonaSingleLinuxHost 470
InstallanACEPackageSilentlyonMultipleLinuxHosts 471
PrepareaLinuxHostforRunninginKioskMode 472
UninstallVMwarePlayeroranACEInstancefromaLinuxHost 473
UpgradingACEInstancestoACE2.6 473
StartandUseanACEInstance 474
ChangeDefaultKioskModeStartupBehavior 475
UseMultipleVirtualMachinesinKioskMode 476
InstallanACEClientLicense 478
ChangetheACEClientLicense 478
QuitVMwarePlayer 479
TroubleshootingTools 479
UsingthevmwareacetoolCommandLineTool 479
RespondtoHotFixRequests 481
TroubleshootingSetupIssues 482
Appendix:WorkstationCommandLineReference
StartupOptionsforWorkstationandVirtualMachines
UsingStartupOptionsinaWindowsShortcut 487
Glossary
485
485
489
Index 495
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About This Book
Thismanual,theWorkstationUsersManual,providesinformationaboutinstallingand
usingVMwareWorkstation7.0.WithWorkstation,youcanconvertanexisting
physicalPCintoaVMwarevirtualmachineorcreateanewvirtualmachine.Each
virtualmachinerepresentsacompletePC,includingtheprocessor,memory,network
connectionsandperipheralports.UseWorkstationtodothefollowing:
Hostlegacyapplicationsandovercomeplatformmigrationissues.
Configureandtestnewsoftwareorpatchesinanisolatedenvironment.
Automatetasksforsoftwaredevelopmentandtesting.
DemonstratemultitierconfigurationsonasinglePC.
Intended Audience
Thisbookisintendedforanyonewhoneedstoinstall,upgrade,oruseVMware
Workstation.Workstationuserstypicallyincludepeoplewhodosoftwaredevelopment
andtestingorworkwithmultipleoperatingsystemsorcomputingenvironments:
softwaredevelopers,QAengineers,trainers,salespeoplewhorundemos,andanyone
whowantstocreatevirtualmachines.
Document Feedback
VMwarewelcomesyoursuggestionsforimprovingourdocumentation.Ifyouhave
comments,sendyourfeedbacktodocfeedback@vmware.com.
VMware, Inc.
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Technical Support and Education Resources

Thefollowingsectionsdescribethetechnicalsupportresourcesavailabletoyou.To
accessthecurrentversionofthisbookandotherbooks,goto
http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
Online and Telephone Support

Touseonlinesupporttosubmittechnicalsupportrequests,viewyourproductand
contractinformation,andregisteryourproducts,goto
http://www.vmware.com/support.
Customerswithappropriatesupportcontractsshouldusetelephonesupportforthe
fastestresponseonpriority1issues.Goto
http://www.vmware.com/support/phone_support.html.
Support Offerings
TofindouthowVMwaresupportofferingscanhelpmeetyourbusinessneeds,goto
http://www.vmware.com/support/services.
VMware Professional Services

VMwareEducationServicescoursesofferextensivehandsonlabs,casestudy
examples,andcoursematerialsdesignedtobeusedasonthejobreferencetools.
Coursesareavailableonsite,intheclassroom,andliveonline.Foronsitepilot
programs andimplementationbestpractices,VMwareConsultingServicesprovides
offeringsto helpyouassess,plan,build,andmanageyourvirtualenvironment.To
accessinformationabouteducationclasses,certificationprograms,andconsulting
services,gotohttp://www.vmware.com/services.
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Introduction and System

Requirements
VMwareWorkstationisadesktopsoftwarethatallowsyoutorunmultiple
x86compatibledesktopandserveroperatingsystemssimultaneouslyonasinglePC,
infullynetworked,portablevirtualmachineswithnorebootingorharddrive
partitioningrequired.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
ProductBenefitsonpage 21
OverviewofThisManualonpage 22
HostSystemRequirementsonpage 23
VirtualMachineSpecificationsonpage 29
SupportedGuestOperatingSystemsonpage 32
Product Benefits
Workstationisusedinthesoftwaredevelopment,qualityassurance,training,sales,and
ITfields.
Workstationstreamlinessoftwaredevelopmentandtesting:
DevelopandtestmultipleoperatingsystemsandapplicationsonasinglePC.
Connectvirtualmachinestosimulateandtestmultitierconfigurations.
Usemultiplesnapshotsanddebuggingsupporttofacilitatetesting.
Archivetestenvironmentsonfileserverswheretheycanbeeasilyrestoredor
shared.
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WorkstationenhancesproductivityofITprofessionals:
Configureandtestdesktopsandserversasvirtualmachinesbeforedeploying
themtoproduction.
Testnewmultitierapplications,applicationupdates,andoperatingsystem
patchesonasinglePC.
Hostlegacyapplicationswithinvirtualmachines,facilitatingoperatingsystem
migrationsandeliminatingtheneedtoportlegacyapplications.
Createavirtuallibraryofenduserconfigurationsonashareddrive.
Workstationfacilitatescomputerbasedtrainingandsoftwaredemos:
Packageanddeployclassroommaterialinvirtualmachines.
Allowstudentstoexperimentwithmultipleoperatingsystems,applications,and
toolsinsecure,isolatedvirtualmachines.
Configurevirtualmachinestoundoallchangesatshutdown.
Democomplexormultitierconfigurationsonasinglelaptop.
Overview of This Manual

IfyouareaveteranWorkstationuser,seetheWorkstationReleaseNotesforalistof
newfeatures.Forupgradeinstructions,seePreparingforanUpgradeonpage 47.
IfyouarenewtoWorkstation,thefirstchaptersofthismanualthroughChapter 7,
GettingStartedwithVirtualMachines,onpage 147guideyouthroughthekey
stepsforinstallingthesoftwareandprovideanintroductiontousingWorkstation.
Laterchaptersprovideindepthinformationaboutthesophisticatedfeaturesof
Workstation.Thesechaptersareintendedforexpertusers.
Chapter 18,LearningtheBasicsofVMwareACE,onpage 381throughChapter 22,
InstallingACEPackages,onpage 465describehowtousetheACEfeaturesincluded
withtheversionofWorkstationthatrunsonWindowshosts.VMwareACEauthoring
featuresenableyoutopackageanddeployPocketACEanddesktopvirtualmachines
withencryption,restrictednetworkaccess,anddevicecontrol.
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Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements
Host System Requirements

Likephysicalcomputers,thevirtualmachinesrunningunderWorkstationperform
betteriftheyhavefasterprocessorsandmorememory.
Thetermshostandguestdescribephysicalandvirtualmachines:
HostThephysicalcomputeronwhichyouinstalltheWorkstationsoftwareis
calledthehostcomputer,anditsoperatingsystemisthehostoperatingsystem.
GuestTheoperatingsystemrunninginsideavirtualmachineiscalledaguest
operatingsystem.
Fordefinitionsoftheseandotherspecialterms,seeGlossaryonpage 489.
PC Hardware
Standardx86compatibleorx8664compatiblepersonalcomputer
1.3GHzorfasterCPUminimum
Multiprocessorsystemsaresupported.
Supportfor64bitguestoperatingsystemsisavailablewithIntelVTorAMDV
CPUs.
ForhardwarerequirementstosupportWindows7Aerographics,see
RecommendationsforWindows7AeroGraphicsSupportonpage 24.
Memory
Youneedenoughmemorytorunthehostoperatingsystem,plusthememoryrequired
foreachguestoperatingsystemandforapplicationsonthehostandguest.The
minimummemoryrequirementis1GB,VMwarerecommendstohave2GBandabove.
Formoreinformationonmemoryrequirements,seeyourguestoperatingsystemand
applicationdocumentation.
Asofversion7.0ofWorkstation,thetotalamountofmemoryyoucanassigntoall
virtualmachinesrunningonasinglehostislimitedonlybytheamountofRAMonthe
host.Themaximumamountofmemoryforeachvirtualmachineis32GB.
FormemoryrequirementstosupportWindows7Aerographics,see
RecommendationsforWindows7AeroGraphicsSupportonpage 24.
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Display
16bitor32bitdisplayadapterisrecommended.Fordisplayrequirementstosupport
Windows7Aerographics,seeRecommendationsforWindows7AeroGraphics
Supportonpage 24.
NOTEUsethelatestgraphicsdriverrecommendedforyourhost.
Recommendations for Windows 7 Aero Graphics Support

TosupportWindows7Aerographics,VMwarerecommendsthefollowing
configuration:
CPU
IntelDualCore,2.2GHzandabove
AMDAthlon4200+andabove
HostGCPU
nVidiaGeForce8800GTandabove
ATIRadeonHD2600andabove
Memoryatleast3GBofhostsystemmemory,1GBofmemoryallocatedtothe
guestoperatingsystem,and256MBgraphicsmemory.
Disk Drives
Guestoperatingsystemscanresideonphysicaldiskpartitionsorinvirtualdiskfiles.
Hard Disks
24
IDEandSCSIharddrivesaresupported.
VMwarerecommendsatleast1GBfreediskspaceforeachguestoperatingsystem
andtheapplicationsoftwareusedwithit.Ifyouuseadefaultsetup,theactualdisk
spaceneedsareapproximatelythesameasthoseforinstallingandrunningthe
guestoperatingsystemandapplicationsonaphysicalcomputer.
200MB(Linux)or1.5GB(Windows)freediskspaceisrequiredforbasic
installation.Deletetheinstallerafterwardstoreclaimdiskspace.
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Optical CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drives
IDEandSCSIopticaldrivesaresupported.
CDROMandDVDROMdrivesaresupported.
ISOdiskimagefilesaresupported.
Floppy Drives
Virtualmachinescanconnecttothehostsdiskdrives.Floppydiskimagefilesarealso
supported.
Local Area Networking
YoucanuseanyEthernetcontrollerthatthehostoperatingsystemsupports.
NonEthernetnetworksaresupportedbyusingbuiltinnetworkaddress
translation(NAT)orusingacombinationofhostonlynetworkingplusrouting
softwareonthehostoperatingsystem.
Host Operating System

VMwareWorkstationisavailableforWindowsandLinuxhostoperatingsystems.
VMwareACEfeaturesareincludedonlyintheversionofWorkstationthatrunson
Windowshosts.
AWebbrowserisrequiredfortheWorkstationHelpsystem.
VMware, Inc.
25
Windows Host Operating Systems

WorkstationsupportsthefollowingWindows32bitand64bithostoperatingsystems.
Table 1-1. Supported Windows Host Operating Systems
Operating System Type
Operating System Edition
32bit
Windows7UltimateEdition
Windows7EnterpriseEdition
Windows7Professional
Windows7HomeBasicandPremium
WindowsVistaEnterpriseEdition,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaBusinessEdition,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaHomeBasicandPremiumEditions,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaUltimateEdition,SP1,SP2
Listedversionsarealsosupportedwithnoservicepack.
WindowsServer2008Enterprise,SP1,R2
WindowsServer2008Standard,SP1,R2
WindowsServer2003StandardEditionwithSP1,R2,SP2
WindowsServer2003SmallBusinessEditionwithSP1,R2,SP2
WindowsServer2003EnterpriseEditionwithSP1,R2,SP2
WindowsXPHomeEditionwithSP2orlaterservicepack
WindowsXPProfessionalwithSP2orlaterservicepack
64bit
WindowsVistaEnterpriseEdition,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaBusinessEdition,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaHomeBasicandPremiumEditions,SP1,SP2
WindowsVistaUltimateEdition,SP1,SP2
WindowsServer2008Enterprise,SP1,R2
WindowsServer2008Standard,SP1,R2
WindowsServer2003StandardEditionwithSP1,R2,SP2
WindowsServer2003SmallBusinessEditionwithSP1,R2,SP2
WindowsServer2003EnterpriseEditionwithSP1,
R2,SP2Windows
WindowsXPProfessionalx64EditionwithSP1orlaterservice
pack
26
VMware, Inc.
Linux Host Operating Systems

WorkstationsupportsthefollowingLinux32bitand64bitdistributionsandkernels
forthehostoperatingsystems.Workstationmightnotrunonsystemsthatdonotmeet
theserequirements.
AsnewerLinuxkernelsanddistributionsarereleased,VMwaremodifiesandtestsits
productsforstabilityandreliabilityonthosehostplatforms.VMwaremakesevery
efforttoaddsupportfornewkernelsanddistributionsinatimelymanner,butuntila
kernelordistributionisaddedtothefollowinglist,itsusewithVMwareproductsisnot
supported.LookfornewerprebuiltmodulesintheDownloadsareaoftheVMware
Website.
InWorkstation7.0,onlyLinuxkernelsversion2.6.9andlateraresupported.
Table 1-2. Supported Linux Host Operating Systems
32bit
AsianuxServer3
CentOS5.2
CentOS5.1
CentOS5.0
Mandriva2009
Mandriva2008,20081
OracleEnterpriseLinux5.2
RedHatEnterpriseLinux5.3WS,AS,ES
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxWS4.5(formerly4.0Update5)WS,AS,
ES
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer11
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer10SP1,SP2
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop11
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop10,SP1,SP2
VMware, Inc.
27
Table 1-2. Supported Linux Host Operating Systems (Continued)

32bit
openSUSE11.2
openSUSE11.1
openSUSE11
openSUSE10.3
openSUSE10.2(formerlyknownasSUSELinux10.2)
UbuntuLinux9.04
UbuntuLinux8.10
UbuntuLinux8.04,8.04.1,8.04.2,8.04.3
UbuntuLinux6.06
64bit
AsianuxServer3
CentOS5.2
CentOS5.1
CentOS5.0
Mandriva2009
Mandriva2008,20081
Note:On64bitMandrivahosts,some32bitcompatibility
librariesarerequired.Specifically,32bitglibc,X11,and
libXtst.soarerequired.
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxWS4.5(formerly4.0Update5)WS,AS,
ES
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer11
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer10SP1,SP2
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop11
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop10,SP1,SP2
28
VMware, Inc.
Table 1-2. Supported Linux Host Operating Systems (Continued)

64bit
openSUSE11.2
openSUSE11.1
openSUSE11
openSUSE10.3
openSUSE10.2(formerlyknownasSUSELinux10.2)
UbuntuLinux9.04
UbuntuLinux8.10
UbuntuLinux8.04,8.04.1,8.04.2,8.04.3
UbuntuLinux6.06
Note:On64bitUbuntu6.xhosts,some32bitcompatibility
librariesarerequired.Specifically,32bitglibcandX11are
required.
Virtual Machine Specifications

ThefollowingsectionsdescribethedevicesthatWorkstationvirtualmachinessupport.
Processor
Sameprocessorasthatonhostcomputer.
Onevirtualprocessoronahostwithoneormorelogicalprocessors.
Uptofourvirtualprocessors(fourwayvirtualsymmetricmultiprocessing,or
Virtual SMP)onahostwithatleasttwologicalprocessors.
Thefollowingareconsideredtohavetwologicalprocessors:
AmultiprocessorhostwithtwoormorephysicalCPUs.
AsingleprocessorhostwithamulticoreCPU.
Asingleprocessorhostwithhyperthreadingenabled.
SeeUseFourWayVirtualSymmetricMultiprocessingonpage 366.
Chip Set
Intel440BXbasedmotherboard
NS338SIO
82093AAIOAPIC
VMware, Inc.
29
BIOS
PhoenixBIOS4.0Release6withVESABIOS
Memory
Youcanallocateupto32GBofmemoryforavirtualmachine,dependingonhost
memory.
Nomaximumlimitforthetotalavailableforallvirtualmachines.
Graphics
VGAandSVGAaresupported.
IDE Drives
Uptofourdevicesdisks,CDROMorDVDROM(DVDdrivescanbeusedto
readdataDVDROMdiscs;DVDvideoisnotsupported).
Harddiskscanbevirtualdisksorphysicaldisks.
IDEvirtualdisksupto950GB.
CDROMcanbeaphysicaldeviceoranISOimagefile.
SCSI Devices
30
Upto60devices.
SCSIvirtualdisksupto950GB.
Harddiskscanbevirtualdisksorphysicaldisks.
GenericSCSIsupportallowsdevicestobeusedwithoutneedfordriversinthe
hostoperatingsystem.Workswithscanners,CDROM,DVDROM,tapedrives
andotherSCSIdevices.
LSILogicLSI53C10xxUltra320SCSII/Ocontroller.
Mylex(BusLogic)BT958compatiblehostbusadapter(requiresaddondriver
fromVMwareforWindowsXPandWindowsServer2003).
VMware, Inc.
Floppy Drives
Uptotwo1.44MBfloppydevices.
Physicaldrivesorfloppyimagefiles.
Serial (COM) Ports
Uptofourserial(COM)ports.
Outputtoserialports,WindowsorLinuxfiles,ornamedpipes.
Parallel (LPT) Ports
Uptothreebidirectionalparallel(LPT)ports.
Outputtoparallelportsorhostoperatingsystemfiles.
USB Ports
USB1.1UHCIcontroller.
USB2.0EHCIcontroller.(UsethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoenableUSB2.0
support.SeeEnabletheUSB2.0ControllerforaVirtualMachineonpage 352.)
Supportsmostdevices,includingUSBprinters,scanners,PDAs,harddiskdrives,
memorycardreaders,anddigitalcameras,aswellasstreamingdevicessuchas
webcams,speakers,andmicrophones.
Keyboard
104keyWindows95/98enhanced.
Mouse and Drawing Tablets
PS/2andUSBmouse.
Serialtabletssupported.
USBtabletssupported.
VMware, Inc.
31
Ethernet Card
Upto10virtualEthernetcards.
AMDPCnetPCIIIcompatible.
For64bitguests:IntelPro/1000MTServerAdaptercompatible.
Sound
Soundoutputandinput.
EmulatesCreativeLabsSoundBlasterAudioPCI.(DoesnotsupportMIDIinputor
gameportcontroller/joysticks.)
Virtual Networking
Supportfor10virtualEthernetswitchesonMicrosoftWindowshostoperating
systems.Supportfor255virtualEthernetswitchesonLinuxhosts.Threeswitches
areconfiguredbydefaultforbridged,hostonly,andNATnetworking.
SupportformostEthernetbasedprotocols,includingTCP/IP,NetBEUI,Microsoft
Networking,Samba,NovellNetWare,andNetworkFileSystem.
BuiltinNATsupportsclientsoftwareusingTCP/IP,FTP,DNS,HTTP,andTelnet,
includingVPNsupportforPPTPoverNAT.
Supported Guest Operating Systems

Table 13providesasimplifiedlistofguestoperatingsystemssupportedforvirtual
machinesrunninginWorkstation.Forthemostrecentlist,includingdetailsabout
specificoperatingsystemversions,servicepacks,andupdatessupported,seethe
onlineVMwareCompatibilityGuide.GototheVMwareWebsiteandselectResources>
CompatibilityGuides,andclicktheViewtheGuest/HostOStabontheVMware
CompatibilityGuideWebsitelink.Theguidealsoprovidesnotesoninstallingthe
mostcommonguestoperatingsystems.
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VMware, Inc.
Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems

Windows32bit
WindowsVistaHomeBasicandPremium
WindowsVistaBusiness
WindowsVistaEnterprise
WindowsVistaUltimate
WindowsServer2008StandardEditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2008DatacenterEditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2008EnterpriseEditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2003StandardEdition
WindowsServer2003SmallBusinessEdition
WindowsServer2003WebEdition
WindowsServer2003Enterprise
WindowsXPProfessional
WindowsXPHomeEdition
WindowsPE
WindowsRE
Windows2000Server
Windows2000AdvancedServer
WindowsNT4.0WorkstationwithSP6
WindowsNT4.0ServerwithSP6
WindowsNT4.0TerminalServerEditionwithSP6
WindowsMe
Windows98
Windows95
Windows3.1(withWindowsforWorkgroups)
MicrosoftMSDOS
VMware, Inc.
MSDOS
33
Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems (Continued)

Windows64bit
WindowsVistaHomeBasicandPremium
WindowsVistaBusiness
WindowsVistaEnterprise
WindowsVistaUltimate
WindowsServer2008x64StandardEditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2008Datacenterx64EditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2008Enterprisex64EditionwithoutHyperV
WindowsServer2003StandardEdition
WindowsServer2003SmallBusinessEdition
WindowsServer2003WebEdition
WindowsServer2003Enterprise
WindowsServerx64
WindowsXPProfessional
WindowsPE
WindowsRE
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VMware, Inc.

Linux32bit
AsianuxServer
CentOS
MandrakeLinux
MandrivaLinux
MandrivaCorporateDesktop
MandrivaCorporateServer
NovellLinuxDesktop
OracleEnterpriseLinux
RedHatLinux
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxServer
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxAdvancedServer(AS)
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxEnterpriseServer(ES)
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxWorkstation
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxDesktopwithorwithoutthe
WorkstationOption
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxAdvancedPlatform
SUSELinux
openSUSELinux
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop
TurbolinuxServer
TurbolinuxEnterpriseServer
TurbolinuxWorkstation
TurbolinuxDesktop
UbuntuLinux
VMware, Inc.
35

Linux64bit
AsianuxServer
CentOS
MandrivaLinux
MandrivaCorporateDesktop
MandrivaCorporateServer
OracleEnterpriseLinux
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxServer
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxAdvancedServer(AS)
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxEnterpriseServer(ES)
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxWorkstation
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxDesktopwithorwithoutthe
WorkstationOption
RedHatEnterpriseLinuxAdvancedPlatform
SUSELinux
openSUSELinux
SUSELinuxEnterpriseServer
SUSELinuxEnterpriseDesktop
TurbolinuxServer
UbuntuLinux
NovellNetWare32Bit
NetWare
NovellOpenEnterprise
Server32bit
OpenEnterpriseServer32bit
FreeBSD32bit
FreeBSD32bit
Note:IfyouuseSCSIvirtualdiskslargerthan2GBwith
FreeBSD4.04.3,theguestoperatingsystemdoesnotboot.To
workaroundthisissue,seetheVMwareGuestOperatingSystem
InstallationGuide.
FreeBSD64bit
FreeBSD64bit
Sun32bit
Solarisx8632bit
SunJavaDesktopSystem(JDS)
Sun64bit
36
Solarisx8664bit
VMware, Inc.
Support for 64-Bit Guest Operating Systems

Workstationsupportsvirtualmachineswith64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyon
hostmachinesthathaveoneofthesupported64bitprocessors.Whenyoupowerona
virtualmachinewitha64bitguestoperatingsystem,Workstationperformsaninternal
check.IfthehostCPUisnotasupported64bitprocessor,youcannotpoweronthe
virtualmachine.
Workstationsupportsvirtualmachineswith64bitguestoperatingsystems,running
onhostmachineswiththefollowingprocessors:
RevisionDorlaterofAMDAthlon64,Opteron,Turion64,andSempron
IntelPentium4andCore2,andCorei7processorswithEM64TandIntel
VirtualizationTechnology
Workstationsupportsvirtualmachineswith64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyon
hostmachinesthathaveoneofthesupported64bitprocessors.Whenyoupowerona
virtualmachinewitha64bitguestoperatingsystem,Workstationperformsaninternal
check.IfthehostCPUisnotasupported64bitprocessor,youcannotpoweronthe
virtualmachine.
VMwarealsoprovidesastandaloneutilitythatyoucanusewithoutWorkstationto
performthesamecheckanddeterminewhetheryourCPUissupportedfor
Workstationvirtualmachineswith64bitguestoperatingsystems.Downloadthe64bit
processorcheckutilityfromthedownloadsareaoftheVMwareWebsite.
Workstationsupportsvirtualmachineswith64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyin
versions6.0andlater.IfyourversionofWorkstationis5.0orearlier,upgradetoversion
6.0orlaterfor64bitguestoperatingsystemsupport.Avirtualmachinecreatedin
Workstationversion6.0witha64bitoperatingsystemcannotbepoweredonor
resumedinWorkstationversions5.0andearlier.
VMware, Inc.
37
38
VMware, Inc.
Installing and Upgrading

VMware Workstation
ThischapterdiscusseshowtoinstallWorkstationonyourLinuxorWindowshost.
This chaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:
InstallationPrerequisitesonpage 39
SharingaWorkstationHostwithOtherVMwareProductsonpage 40
InstallWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 41
InstallWorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 44
PreparingforanUpgradeonpage 47
UpgradeWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 48
UpgradeWorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 51
Installation Prerequisites
InstallingVMwareWorkstationisusuallyasimpleprocessofrunningastandard
installationwizard.
Beforeyouruntheinstallationprogram,besureyouhavethefollowing:
AcompatiblehostVerifythatthecomputerandhostoperatingsystemmeetthe
systemrequirementsforrunningWorkstation.SeeHostSystemRequirements
onpage 23.
WorkstationinstallationsoftwareIfyouhavethepackageddistributionof
Workstation,theinstallationsoftwareisontheinstallationmediainyourpackage.
Ifyouhavetheelectronicdistribution,theinstallationsoftwareisinthefileyou
downloaded.
WorkstationisavailableforWindowsandLinuxhostcomputers.Theinstallation
filesforbothhostplatformsareincludedinthepackageddistribution.
VMware, Inc.
39
WorkstationorVMwareACEserialnumberYourserialnumberisonthe
registrationcardinyourpackage.IfyoupurchasedWorkstationorVMwareACE
online,theserialnumberissentbyemail.
YourserialnumberallowsyoutouseWorkstationonlyonthehostoperating
systemforwhichyoulicensedthesoftware.Forexample,ifyouhaveaserial
numberforaWindowshost,youcannotrunthesoftwareonaLinuxhost.
Youneedonelicenseforeachuser.
TouseWorkstationonadifferenthostoperatingsystem,purchasealicenseonthe
VMwareWebsite.Youcanalsoobtainanevaluationlicenseatnochargefora
30dayevaluationofthesoftware.Formoreinformation,gototheVMwareWeb
site.
IfyoudonotentertheWorkstationserialnumberatinstallationtime(anoption
availableonaWindowshost),youarepromptedtoenteritthefirsttimeyou
attempttopoweronavirtualmachine.
AguestoperatingsystemAfterWorkstationisinstalled,youneedtheoperating
systeminstallationCDs,DVDs,orISOimagefilestosetupaguestinavirtual
machine.
(Optional)EclipseorMicrosoftVisualStudioToinstalltheIntegratedVirtual
DebuggerforEclipseorVisualStudiopluginsincludedwithWorkstation,Eclipse
orVisualStudiomustbeinstalledonthehostbeforeyouruntheWorkstation
installer.IfyouinstalloneorbothoftheseprogramsafteryouinstallWorkstation,
runtheWorkstationinstalleragainandselecttheModifyoptiontoinstallthe
pluginsatthattime.
FormoreinformationaboutsupportedversionsofVisualStudioandEclipse,see
thefollowingguidesontheVMwareWebsite:
IntegratedVirtualDebuggerforEclipseDevelopersGuide
IntegratedVirtualDebuggerforVisualStudioDevelopersGuide
Sharing a Workstation Host with Other VMware Products

YoucannothaveVMwareWorkstationinstalledonthesamehostmachinewithanother
VMwareproduct,suchasVMwarePlayer,VMwareServer,ortheVMwareVirtual
MachineConsole.TheonlyVMwareproductsthatcanshareahostmachinewith
WorkstationaretheVMwareVirtualCenterclientsoftwareandVMwareConverter.If
youplantoinstallVMwareWorkstationonahostmachinethatalreadycontains
anotherVMwareproduct,youmustuninstallthatproductfirst.
40
VMware, Inc.
Chapter 2 Installing and Upgrading VMware Workstation
Afteryoucompletetheprerequisitesanddeterminewhichcomputeryouwanttouse
forhostingWorkstation,seetheappropriateplatformspecificinstallationtopic.
Install Workstation on a Windows Host

Beforeyoubegin,makesureyouhavetheitemslistedinInstallationPrerequisiteson
page 39.Althoughyoucanentertheserialnumberafterinstallation,VMware
recommendsenteringitatinstallationtime.
ThistopicdescribeshowtouseaninstallationwizardtoinstallWorkstation.Toinstead
usethecommandlineinterfacetoperformasilentinstallationonmanycomputers,see
InstallWorkstationSilentlyonpage 42.
To install Workstation on a Windows host
1
LogintoyourMicrosoftWindowshostastheAdministratoruserorasauserwho
isamemberoftheWindowsAdministratorsgroup.
Loginaslocaladministrator(thatis,donotlogintothedomain,unlessyour
domainaccountisalsoalocaladministrator).
AlthoughanadministratormustinstallWorkstation,auserwithout
administrativeprivilegescanruntheprogramafteritisinstalled.
FromtheStartmenu,chooseRunandspecifythepathtoeithertheCD/DVDdrive
orthedownloadedinstallerfile:
Ifyouareinstallingfromtheinstallationmedia,enterD:\setup.exe,where
D:isthedriveletterforyourCD/DVDdrive.
Ifyouareinstallingfromadownloadedfile,browsetothedirectorywhere
yousavedthedownloadedinstallerfile,andruntheinstaller.
ThefilenameissimilartoVMware-workstation-<xxxx-xxxx>.exe,where
<xxxx-xxxx>isaseriesofnumbersrepresentingtheversionandbuild
numbers.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7,whentheUserAccountControldialogbox
promptsyouforpermissiontoruntheinstaller,clickContinue.
IfyouhaveanearlierversionofWorkstationinstalledonyoursystem,theinstaller
removesthatversionbeforeinstallingthenewversion.Aftertheuninstallationis
complete,youmightbepromptedtorestartyourcomputerbeforetheinstallercan
installthenewversion.
3
VMware, Inc.
Whenthewizardopensandfinishescomputingspacerequirements,clickNext.
41
OntheSetupTypepage,selectTypicalunlessyoudonotwanttoinstallthe
applicableWorkstationIDEplugins,orifyouhaveEclipseorVisualStudio
installedinanonstandardlocation.
IfyouhaveVisualStudioorEclipseinstalled,theinstallerinstallsanintegrated
virtualdebugger.Ifyoudonotwantaplugininstalled,selecttheCustomsetup,
andselectnottoinstallthatcomponent.
IfyouselectCustom,youcanusetheSpacebuttontofindouthowmuchdisk
spaceisrequiredforeachcomponentoftheinstallation.ClickHelpfora
descriptionofwhateachtypeoficoninthelistmeans.
(Optional)OntheDestinationFolderpage(fortypicalsetups)ortheCustomSetup
page(forcustomsetups),ifyoudonotwantWorkstationinstalledinthedirectory
thatisshown,clickChangeandspecifyadifferentdirectory.
Ifyouspecifyadirectorythatdoesnotexist,theinstallercreatesitforyou.
You cannotinstallWorkstationonanetworkdrive.
Followtherestofthewizardprompts.
Someinstallationsmightrequirethatyourebootyourcomputer.Whenyourestart,you
donotneedtologinasauserwithAdministratorprivileges.
Install Workstation Silently

IfyouareinstallingWorkstationonseveralWindowshostcomputersanddonotwant
torespondtowizardprompts,youcanusethesilentinstallationfeatureofthe
MicrosoftWindowsInstaller(MSI).Thisfeatureisconvenient,forexample,inalarge
enterprise.
Beforeyoubegin,ensurethatthehostcomputerhasversion2.0orhigheroftheMSI
runtimeengine.ThisversionoftheinstallerisavailableinversionsofWindows
beginningwithWindowsXPandisavailableseparatelyfromMicrosoft.Foradditional
detailsonusingtheMicrosoftWindowsInstaller,seetheMicrosoftWebsite.
42
VMware, Inc.
To install Workstation silently

1
Openacommandpromptandenterthefollowingcommandtosilentlyextractthe
administrativeinstallationimagefromtheVMwareWorkstationinstaller:
setup.exe /s /e <install_temp_path>
setup.exeisthenameoftheinstallerontheinstallationmedia.Ifyouareusinga
downloadedinstaller,thefilenameissimilarto
VMwareWorkstation-<xxxx>.exe,where<xxxx>isaseriesofnumbers
representingtheversionandbuildnumbers.
<install_temp_path>isthefullpathtothefolderwhereyouwanttostorethe
administrativeinstallationimage.
2
Enterthefollowingcommandononelinetorunasilentinstallationusingmsiexec
andtheadministrativeinstallationimageyouextractedinthepreviousstep:
msiexec -i "<install_temp_path>\VMware Workstation.msi"
[INSTALLDIR="<path_to_program_directory>"] ADDLOCAL=ALL
[REMOVE=<feature_name,feature_name>] /qn
ToinstallWorkstationinalocationotherthanthedefault,changethepaththat
followsINSTALLDIR=tospecifythelocation.
UsetheoptionalREMOVE=<property>toskipinstallationofcertainfeatures.
The REMOVE=<property>settingcantakeoneormoreofthevalueslistedin
Table 21.
Table 2-1. Values for the REMOVE Property
Value
Description
Authd
VMwareauthorizationservice,whichisusedtoperformtaskswhenyouare
notrunningWorkstationasanAdministratoruser.
Network
Networkingcomponents,includingthevirtualbridgeandthehostadapters
forhostonlynetworkingandNATnetworking.Donotremovethis
componentifyouwanttouseNATorDHCP.
DHCP
VirtualDHCPserver.
NAT
VirtualNATdevice.
Ifyouspecifymorethanonevalue,useacommatoseparatethevalues.
For example,REMOVE=Authd,NAT.
IfyouspecifyREMOVE=Network,theinstallerskipsinstallationofcertain
networkingcomponents,includingNATandDHCP.Youdonotneedtospecify
DHCPorNATseparately.
VMware, Inc.
43
Youcancustomizetheinstallationfurtherbyusingtheformat
<property>="<value>"toaddanyoftheinstallationpropertieslistedin
Table 22tothecommand.Avalueof1meanstrue.Avalueof0meansfalse.Ifyou
usetheserialnumberproperty,entertheserialnumberwithhyphens
(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx).
Table 2-2. Property Values

Property
Effect of the Property
Default Value
DESKTOP_SHORTCUT
Installsashortcutonthedesktop.
DISABLE_AUTORUN
DisablesCDAutorunonthehost.
REMOVE_LICENSE
(Uninstallonly)Removesallstoredlicensesat
uninstall.
SERIALNUMBER
Enterstheserialnumber.
Uninstall Workstation from a Windows Host

UsetheWindowsControlPaneltouninstallWorkstation.Workstationlicenses,
preferencesettings,andvirtualmachinesarenotremoved,butvirtualnetworksettings
areremoved.
To uninstall Workstation from a Windows host
Dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,gotoStart>ControlPanel>Programs
>Programs and Features>UninstallaprogramanduninstallVMware
Workstation.
OnotherWindowshosts,usetheAdd/RemoveProgramsiteminthecontrolpanel
andremoveVMwareWorkstation.
Install Workstation on a Linux Host

Beforeyoubegin,readthefollowingnotesandmakeadjustmentstoyourhostsystem:
44
MakesureyouhavetheitemslistedinInstallationPrerequisitesonpage 39.
TherealtimeclockfunctionmustbecompiledintoyourLinuxkernel.
VMware, Inc.
WorkstationforLinuxrequiresthattheparallelportPCstylehardwareoption
(CONFIG_PARPORT_PC)bebuiltandloadedasakernelmodule(thatis,itmust
besettomwhenthekerneliscompiled).
TousetheWorkstationHelpsystem,youmusthaveaWebbrowserinstalledon
thehostcomputer.
Theinstallationtopicdescribesaninstallationfromtheinstallationmediaincludedin
theWorkstationmediakit.Ifyoudownloadedthesoftware,thestepsarethesame
exceptthatyoustartfromthedirectorywhereyousavedthedownloadedinstallerfile,
notfromtheLinuxdirectoryontheinstallationmedia.
Thebundleinstallerletsyouinstalltheproductinonestep.IftheGUIbasedinstaller
fails,runtheinstallerfilewiththe--consoleoptioninyourterminal.
NOTEOnRedHatEnterpriseLinux5.1hostsandpossiblysomeotherLinux
distributions,thebundlebasedinstallerlaunchesacommandlinewizardratherthan
aGUIwizard.
VMware-Workstation-<xxxx-xxxx>.<architecture>.bundleisthenameofthe
installerfile.Inthename,<xxxx-xxxx>isaseriesofnumbersthatrepresenttheversion
andbuildnumbers,and<architecture>isi386orx86_64.
To install Workstation on a Linux host
1
LogintoyourLinuxhostwiththeusernameyouplantousewhenrunning
Workstation.
Inaterminalwindow,becomeroottoperformtheinitialinstallationsteps:
suorsudo
ThecommandyouusedependsonyourLinuxdistributionandconfiguration.
Ifyouareinstallingfromtheinstallationmediainsteadofadownloadedfile,
mounttheWorkstationinstallationmedia.
Changedirectoriestothedirectorywheretheinstallerfileislocatedandrunthe
followingcommand:
sh VMware-Workstation-<xxxx-xxxx>.<architecture>.bundle
IfyouareusingtheWorkstationinstallationmedia,thisfileisintheLinux
directory.
VMware, Inc.
45
AccepttheVIXEULAtocontinue.
(Optional)Ifyouareusingthe--consoleoptionorrunningahostthatdoesnot
supporttheGUIinstallationdooneofthefollowing:
ToscrollthroughtheVIXEULA,pressspacebarandattheendofEULAthe
Doyouagree?[yes/no]promptappears.
ToexittheVIXEULApressqandtheDoyouagree?[yes/no]promptappears.
(Optional)EnterthedirectorypathtotheIntegratedVirtualDebuggerforEclipse
ifEclipseisinstalled.
SelecteitherYesorNotoconfirmwhetheryouwanttoinstalltheEclipseC/C++
debuggingplugin.
OnsomeLinuxdistributions,iftheinstallerdetectsinsufficientfiledescriptorsyou
canupdatethehardlimitforopenfilesontheinstallerpage.
Ifthehardlimitforopenfilesis1024orless,thevirtualmachinemayfailifalarge
numberofsnapshotsareused.
10 ClickInstall.
SeeStartWorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 54.
Using Command-Line Installation Options

YoucanalsousecommandlineinstallationoptionstoinstallWorkstationonaLinux
host.Tousetheoptions,youmustbeloggedinasroot.Afterfinishingtheinstallation
process,exitfromtherootaccount.
Thecommoncommandlineinstallationoptionsarethefollowing:
46
--gtkOpenstheGUIbasedVMwareinstaller,whichisthedefaultoption.
--consoleAllowsyoutousetheterminalforinstallation.
--customShowsalltheinstallationquestions.Youcancustomizetheinstallation
directories,setorresettheEclipsedirectoriesandhardlimitforthenumberof
openfiledescriptors.
--regularShowsinstallationquestionsthathavenotbeenansweredbeforeor
arerequired.Thisisthedefaultoption.
--requiredShowsonlytheEULA,thenproceedstoinstallWorkstation.
--ignore-errors or -I Allowstheinstallationtocontinueevenifthereisan
errorinoneoftheinstallerscripts.However,thesectionthathasanerrordoesnot
complete,sothecomponentmaynotbeproperlyconfigured.
VMware, Inc.
Uninstall Workstation from a Linux Host

WhenyouuninstallWorkstation7.0,productlicenses,preferencesettings,andvirtual
machinesarenotremoved.Aconfirmationdialogboxappearstocheckwhetherto
removeorpreserveyourconfigurations.
To uninstall Workstation from a Linux host
Ifyouusedthebundleinstaller,enterthefollowingcommand:
vmware-installer -u vmware-workstation
SelecteitherYesorNotoconfirmwhetheryouwanttopreserveorremoveyour
configurationfiles.
IfyouusedtheRPMinstallertoinstallWorkstation4,5.x,and6.x,enterthe
followingcommands:
rpm -qa | grep VM
TheVMwareWorkstationproductinstallernameappears.
rpm -e <VMware_Workstation_ product_ installer_name>
Preparing for an Upgrade

WhenyouinstallanewversionofWorkstation,thepreviousversionisuninstalledbut
thepreferencesyouset,licensefiles,andvirtualmachinesarenotremoved.Virtual
machinescreatedwithanearlierversionofWorkstationarenotdeleted,however
VMwarerecommendsthatyoumakebackupcopiesinpreparationfortheupgrade.
VMwarerecommendsthatyoucompletethefollowingtasksbeforeupgrading:
MakesureallvirtualmachinesareWorkstation4,5.x,or6.xvirtualmachines.
DirectupgradesfromaWorkstation2or3virtualmachinearenotsupportedin
Workstation6.xand7.0.
IfavirtualmachinewascreatedwithaversionofWorkstationearlierthan
Workstation5.5andithasasnapshot,deletethesnapshotbeforeupgrading.
See DeleteaSnapshotoraRecordingonpage 212.
ForupgradesfromWorkstation4,5.x,or6.x,ifyoubridged(mapped)virtual
networkstospecificphysicalorvirtualadapters,writedownthesettingsyouused.
AlthoughWorkstation7.0generallypreservesnetworksettingsduringthe
upgrade,itcannotpreservebridgesettingscreatedwithWorkstation4,5.x,or6.x.
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Ifanyvirtualmachinesaresuspended,resumethem,shutdowntheguest
operatingsystems,andpowerthemoff.
Ifanyvirtualmachinesarerunninginthebackground,starttheminWorkstation
andpowerthemoff.SeeStartaVirtualMachineThatIsRunninginthe
Backgroundonpage 149.
Backupthevirtualmachinesbymakingbackupcopiesofallthefilesinthevirtual
machinedirectories.
Thisincludes.vmdkor.dskfiles,.vmxor.cfgfiles,and.nvram files.Depending
onyourupgradepath,youmightnotbeabletorunyourvirtualmachinesunder
bothWorkstation7.0andyourpreviousversionofWorkstation.
Poweroffallrunningvirtualmachines.
YoucannowuseoneofthefollowingplatformspecifictaskstoinstallWorkstation:
UpgradeWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 48
UpgradeWorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 51
Upgrade Workstation on a Windows Host

YoucanupgradefromWorkstationversion4,5.x,or6.xtoWorkstation7.0byrunning
theVMwareWorkstation7.0installationprogram.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatyouhaveaWorkstation7.0serialnumber.Also
performthetasksdescribedinPreparingforanUpgradeonpage 47.
ToupgradeWorkstationandupgradethehostoperatingsystemtoWindowsVistaand
Windows7,seeUpgradingtoaWindowsVistaandWindows7Hostonpage 49.
To upgrade Workstation on a Windows host
1
LogintoyourMicrosoftWindowshostastheAdministratoruserorasauserwho
isamemberoftheWindowsAdministratorsgroup.
LaunchtheWorkstation7.0installerfromyourdownloaddirectoryorCD/DVD
drive.
Workstationautomaticallyuninstallsthepreviousversionbutsavesallthe
networksettingsexceptforbridgedsettingsusedtomapindividualvirtual
networkstospecificphysicalorvirtualadapters.
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Rebootyourcomputerifyouarepromptedtodoso,andloginagainasthe
AdministratoruserorasauserwhoisamemberoftheWindowsAdministrators
group.
Followtheinstallationwizardpromptstocompletetheinstallation.
Rebootyourcomputerifyouarepromptedtodoso.
Youcannowloginasyounormallydo.Youdonotneedtologinasan
AdministratornowthatWorkstationisinstalled.
Ifyouusedbridgedsettingstomapvirtualnetworkstospecificphysicalorvirtual
adapters,recreatethemappings.
upgrade,itcannotpreservemappingscreatedwithWorkstation4,5.x,or6.x.
TouseWorkstation7.0toupgradevirtualmachines,seeChangetheVersionofa
VirtualMachineonpage 94.
Upgrading to a Windows Vista and Windows 7 Host

Thistopicprovidesinstructionsforvariousupgradescenariosthatinvolve
Windows VistaandWindows7.
DuringtheupgradefromWindowsXPtoWindowsVistaorWindows7,thelocation
ofvirtualmachinesmightchange.TheWindowsVistaandWindows7upgradeusethe
registrytomapthevirtualmachinestoanewlocationbyusingthefollowingpaths:
OnWindowsXP,thedefaultvirtualmachinelocationbeforetheupgradeis:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Virtual
Machines.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7,thedefaultvirtualmachinelocationafterthe
upgradeis:C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Virtual
Machines\<guestOSname>.
Aftertheupgradeiscomplete,iftheFavoriteslistinWorkstationdoesnotwork
correctly,youcanremovethevirtualmachinesfromitandaddthemagain.
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Upgrade Workstation 5.x on Windows XP to Workstation 7.0 on

Windows Vista or Windows 7
Aspartoftheupgrade,youmustuninstalltheWorkstation5.xapplication,however
theWorkstation5.xvirtualmachinesarenotdeleted.
To upgrade Workstation 5.x on Windows XP to Workstation 7.0 on Windows Vista
or Windows 7
1
OntheWindowsXPhost,usetheControlPanelsAdd/RemoveProgramsitemto
uninstallWorkstation5.x.
UpgradetheoperatingsystemtoWindowsVistaorWindows7,asdescribedinthe
Microsoftdocumentation.
InstallWorkstation7.0.
(Optional)Toupgradethevirtualmachines,usetheChangeVersionwizardin
Workstation7.0.
SeeChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachineonpage 94.
Upgrade Workstation 5.x on Windows Vista to Workstation 7.0 on

Windows Vista
BecauseWorkstation5.xwasonlyexperimentallysupportedonWindowsVista,
VMwarerecommendsmanuallyuninstallingWorkstation5.xbeforeinstalling
Workstation7.0.
Aspartoftheupgrade,youmustuninstalltheWorkstation5.xapplication,however
theWorkstation5.xvirtualmachinesarenotdeleted.
ToupgradeWorkstation5.xonWindowsVistatoWorkstation7.0onWindows Vista
1
GotoStart>ControlPanel>Programs>Programs and Features>Uninstalla

program.
SelectVMwareWorkstationandclickUninstall.
InstallWorkstation7.0.
SeeInstallWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 41.
Workstation7.0.
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Upgrade Workstation 6.x on Windows XP to Workstation 7.0 on

Windows Vista or Windows 7
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatyouhaveWindowsXPwithServicePack2.
To upgrade Workstation 6.x from Windows XP to Windows Vista or Windows 7
1
LoginastheAdministratoruserorasauserwhoisamemberoftheWindows
Administratorsgroup.
MakesurethatWorkstationisnotrunningandthatnovirtualmachinesare
runninginthebackground.
UpgradethehostoperatingsystemtoWindowsVistaandWindows7,as
describedintheMicrosoftdocumentation.
RuntheWorkstation7.0installer.
Workstation7.0.
Upgrade Workstation on a Linux Host

YoucanupgradefromWorkstationversion4,5.x,or6.xtoversion7.0byrunningthe
VMwareWorkstation7.0installationprogram.
Beforeyoubegin,completethefollowing:
MakesurethatyouhaveaWorkstation7.0serialnumber.Youarepromptedto
enterthe serialnumberafterinstallationiscomplete,thefirsttimeyoustart
Workstationaftertheupgrade.AlsoperformthetasksdescribedinPreparingfor
anUpgradeonpage 47.
IfyourpreviousinstallationwasfromanRPMinstallerandyouwanttoinstall
Workstation7.0,manuallyuninstallthepreviousversionofWorkstation.To
manuallyuninstallWorkstation,seeUninstallWorkstationfromaLinuxHoston
page 47.
IfyoucurrentlyhaveWorkstation4,5.x,or6.xinstalledonyoursystem,theolder
versionwillbeuninstalledautomaticallybeforethelatestversionofWorkstationis
installed.Workstation7.0savesnetworksettingsexceptforbridgedsettingsusedto
mapindividualvirtualnetworkstospecificphysicalorvirtualadapters.
NOTEStartingwithWorkstation5.x,Sambaisnolongerautomaticallyconfigured
duringinstallation.
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To upgrade Workstation on a Linux host

1
RuntheWorkstationbundleinstallerasyouwouldforanewinstallation.
Ifyouusedbridgedsettingstomapvirtualnetworkstospecificphysicalorvirtual
adapters,recreatethemappings.
upgrade,itcannotpreservemappingscreatedwithWorkstation4,5.x,or6.x.
Workstation7.0.
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Learning Workstation
Basics
ThischapterdiscusseslaunchingtheWorkstationprogramandintroducestheVMware
Workstationwindow.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
StartWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 53
StartWorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 54
OverviewoftheWorkstationWindowonpage 54
CheckforProductUpdatesonpage 65
QuicklyCreateaVirtualMachineandInstallanOperatingSystemonpage 66
IntroductiontoWorkstationPreferencesonpage 67
IntroductiontoVirtualMachineSettingsonpage 69
ClosingVirtualMachinesandExitingWorkstationonpage 71
KeyboardShortcutsonpage 72
GatheringInformationforVMwareTechnicalSupportonpage 75
Start Workstation on a Windows Host

Dependingontheoptionsyouselectedduringinstallation,youmighthaveadesktop
shortcut,aStartmenuitem,aquicklaunchshortcut,orsomecombinationofthesefor
launchingWorkstation.
To start Workstation on a Windows host
1
FromtheStartmenu,chooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareWorkstation.
IfthisisthefirsttimeyouarelaunchingWorkstation,readandaccepttheenduser
licenseagreement(EULA).
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Start Workstation on a Linux Host

WhetheryoucanstartWorkstationfromaLinuxuserinterfacedependsontheLinux
distribution.Forexample,onRedHatEnterpriseLinux5.1,theVMwareWorkstation
menuitemisintheApplications>SystemToolsmenu.
YoucanalwaysstartWorkstationfromthecommandline.Althoughyoumustbecome
roottoinstallWorkstation,youdonothavetoberoottostartandrunWorkstation.
To start Workstation on a Linux host
1
Openaterminalwindow.
If/usr/binisinyourdefaultpath,enterthefollowingcommand:
vmware &
If/usr/binisnotinyourdefaultpath,enterthefollowingcommand:
/usr/bin/vmware &
Readandaccepttheenduserlicenseagreement(EULA).
Overview of the Workstation Window

AWorkstationvirtualmachineislikeaseparatecomputerthatrunsinawindowon
yourphysicalcomputer.However,Workstationdisplaysmorethanthescreenof
anothercomputer.FromtheWorkstationwindow,youcanaccessandrunvirtual
machinesandteamsofvirtualmachines.Youcanalsoswitcheasilyfromonevirtual
machinetoanother.
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Chapter 3 Learning Workstation Basics
Figure 3-1. VMware Workstation Window

menus
toolbar
tabs
,
sidebar
status
bar
home page,
summary, or
console view
message
log
TheVMwareWorkstationwindowcontainsthefollowingsections:
Homepage,summary,console,orapplianceviewMainpartofthewindowthat
showsthevirtualmachines.
TabsEachopenvirtualmachinehasatab.Clickatabtomakethatvirtual
machineactive.ClicktheClosebuttontoclosethetab.Dependingonhowyou
configureWorkstation,thevirtualmachineistheneitherpoweredofforcontinues
toruninthebackground.
SidebarBookmarkyourfavoritevirtualmachinesandteamsofvirtualmachines
forquickaccess.Youcanalsoseewhichvirtualmachinesarepoweredon.
Rightclickcontextmenusenableyoutoperformmanyoperationsonaselected
virtualmachine.AnadditionalsectionofthesidebardisplaysACEManagement
Servers.
StatusbarDisplaysWorkstationmessagesandaniconforeachremovable
device.Youcanclickorrightclickanicontodisconnectitoredititsconfiguration.
MessagelogAnoteiconindicateswhetheranyunreadmessagesarepresentin
themessagelogfortheselectedvirtualmachine.Iftheiconisdimmed,all
messageswereread.Toopenthemessagelog,rightclicktheiconandchoose
OpenMessageLog.Alternatively,fromthemenubar,chooseVM>MessageLog.
Messagesincludewarninginformationaboutthevirtualmachine,suchasCould
not connect to the floppy drive.orNo bootable device was detected.
Selectaniteminthemessagelogtoseeadetaileddescriptionofthemessage.
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Home Page and Views

Workstationdisplaysoneoffourviewsinthemainpartofthewindow:thehomepage,
thesummaryview,theconsoleview,ortheapplianceview.
Home Page
ClicktheHometabtodisplaytheWorkstationhomepage.Usetheiconsonthehome
pagetostartcreatinganewvirtualmachineoropenanexistingvirtualmachine.
Toclosethehomepage,clicktheXtotherightofthetabsonaWindowshostortheX
onthetabonaLinuxhost.Todisplaythehomepageagain,chooseView>GotoHome
Tab.
Summary View
Whenyouselectatabforapoweredoffvirtualmachineorteamofmachines,
Workstationdisplaysonlyasummaryoftheconfigurationinformationaboutthatitem.
Workstationalsodisplaysasummaryforasuspendedvirtualmachineorteam.Click
theSummarybuttoninthetoolbaratanytimetoexaminesettingsinthesummary
view.
Summaryviewsappearonlyforvirtualmachinesthatarecurrentlyopen.SeeStarting
aVirtualMachineonpage 148.Thesummaryorconsoleviewremainsvisibleaslong
asthevirtualmachineremainsopen.
Figure 32showsanexampleofthesummaryview.
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Figure 3-2. Summary View for a Virtual Machine on a Windows Host

Summary View button
TheCommandssectiongivesyouaccesstothemostoftenusedcommandsfromthe
VMmenu.OnWindowshosts,forACEenabledvirtualmachines,thisincludes
commandsforcreatingsecuritypoliciesandvirtualmachinepackagestodeploytoend
users,aswellasacommandforpreviewingtheACEenabledvirtualmachinein
VMwarePlayer.
ThesectionthatincludestheDevices,Options,and(sometimes)ACEandPackages
tabsenablesyoutoreviewconfigurationsettingsquickly.Doubleclickanitemonthe
tabtodisplaytheitemsconfigurationpanelandchangeasetting.
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Console View
Theconsoleviewforanactivevirtualmachineislikethemonitordisplayofaphysical
computer.
Figure 3-3. Console View on a Windows Host
Console View button
Whenavirtualmachineisactive,thenameofthevirtualmachineorteamof
virtual machinesappearsinatabatthetopoftheconsole.Toswitchfromtheactive
virtualmachineorteam,clickthetabofanothervirtualmachineorteam.Youcanuse
theconsoletabsinthewindowmodeandalsointhequickswitchmode.
Appliance View
Ifyousetupthevirtualmachinetoactasanappliance,suchasaWebserverwitha
browserbasedconsole,youcanspecifythatthedefaultviewisanapplianceview.
The applianceviewgivesabriefdescriptionofthetypeofserverorappliance.Italso
providesalinkthatopensthebrowseronthehostsystemandconnectstothe
appliancesmanagementconsole.
Theapplianceviewisavailableonlyforvirtualmachinesthatyoudesignateas
appliances.SeeConfiguretheApplianceViewforaVirtualMachineonpage 182.
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Displaying Multiple Virtual Machines at the Same Time

Tosimultaneouslyviewmorethanonevirtualmachinewhentheyarenotallonthe
sameteam,openmultipleWorkstationwindowsandlaunchoneormorevirtual
machinesineachWorkstationwindow.
Useateamofvirtualmachinestocoordinateandusemultiplevirtualmachineswithin
asingleconsolewindow.SeeSummaryandConsoleViewsforTeamsandTheir
VirtualMachinesonpage 276.
Toolbar Buttons
ThetoolbarareaatthetopoftheVMwareWorkstationwindowcontainsbuttonsto
powervirtualmachinesonandoff,changetheWorkstationdisplay,managesnapshots,
andrecordvirtualmachineactivity.
Figure 3-4. Workstation Toolbars
Power toolbar
Snapshot toolbar
Replay toolbar
View toolbar
Figure 3-5. ACE Toolbar (Windows Hosts Only)
ACE toolbar
Ifyoupointtoatoolbarbutton,atooltipappearsanddisplaysthenameofthebutton.
Tochangewhichbuttonsappear,seeCustomizetheToolbaronaWindowsHoston
page 62andCustomizetheToolbaronaLinuxHostonpage 61.
ThePowertoolbarcontainsthefollowingbuttons:
PowerOffTurnsofftheactivevirtualmachineorteamlikethepowerbuttonon
aphysicalPC.YoucanconfigureWorkstationforasoftpoweroff(calledshut
down)orahardpoweroff(calledpoweroff).SeeShutDownaVirtualMachine
onpage 151orPowerOfforCloseaTeamonpage 274.
SuspendStopsavirtualmachineorteaminamannerthatallowsyoutoresume
yourworklater.SeeUsingtheSuspendandResumeFeaturesonpage 201.
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PowerOnorResumePowersonaselectedvirtualmachineorteamthatis
poweredoff,orresumesavirtualmachineorteamthatissuspended.SeeStarting
aVirtualMachineonpage 148,PowerOnaTeamonpage 279,andUsingthe
SuspendandResumeFeaturesonpage 201.
ResetResetsavirtualmachineorteamliketheresetbuttononaphysicalPC.
See ConfigurePowerOffandResetOptionsforaVirtualMachineonpage 152.
TheSnapshottoolbarcontainsthefollowingbuttons:
TakeSnapshotEnablesyoutosavethestateofavirtualmachineinthesame
manneryoumightsaveawordprocessingdocument.Youcanreturntothatstate
ifyoumakeamistakebyusingtheRevertbutton.SeeUsingSnapshotson
page 203.
RevertAllowsyoutoreturnavirtualmachinetotheparentstate,astate
previouslypreservedbytakingasnapshot.SeeUsingSnapshotsonpage 203.
ManageSnapshotsOpensthesnapshotmanager,whereyoucanviewthevirtual
machinesexistingsnapshots,reverttoasnapshot,takeanewsnapshot,andmake
aclonefromasnapshot.SeeSnapshotManagerOverviewonpage 208.
TheViewtoolbarcontainsthefollowingbuttons:
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ShoworHideSidebarTogglesbetweenshowingandhidingthesidebar.
See ViewtheSidebaronpage 62.
QuickSwitchEnlargestheWorkstationconsoletocovertheentirehostmonitor.
Consoletabsenableyoutoswitchbetweenvirtualmachinesandteamswitha
singleclick.SeeUseQuickSwitchModeonpage 165.
FullScreenEnlargesthevirtualmachinedisplaytocovertheentirehostmonitor.
Thevirtualmachinenolongerappearsinawindow.SeeUseFullScreenMode
onpage 162.
UnityIntegratesyourfavoriteguestapplicationswithyourhostsdesktopsothat
guestapplicationwindowslookjustlikehostapplicationwindows,butwith
colorcodedborders.SeeUsingUnityModeonpage 158.
SummaryViewDisplaysthesummaryview.SeeSummaryViewonpage 56.
ApplianceViewDisplaystheapplianceview.SeeApplianceViewonpage 58.
ConsoleViewDisplaystheconsoleview.SeeConsoleViewonpage 58.
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TheReplaytoolbarcontainsthefollowingbuttons:
ReplayLastRecordingPlaysthelastrecordingmadeforthisvirtualmachine.
RecordBeginsrecordingtheactivityofthisvirtualmachine.
Forinformationabouttherecord/replayfeature,seeChapter 12,Recordingand
ReplayingVirtualMachineActivity,onpage 257.
TheACEtoolbar,whichisavailableonWindowshostsonly,containsthefollowing
buttons:
EditPoliciesOpensthepolicyeditor.
EditDeploymentSettingsOpensthedeploymentsettingseditor.
CreateNewPackageOpenstheNewPackagewizard.
CreatePocketACEPackageOpensthePocketACEPackagewizard.
PreviewinPlayerAllowsyoutorunanACEinstanceasitwillrunontheusers
machine.Usingpreviewmodealsoallowsyoutoviewtheeffectsofchanged
policiesastheywillappearontheusersmachine.
SeeChapter 18,LearningtheBasicsofVMwareACE,onpage 381.
Customize the Toolbar on a Linux Host

YoucancustomizetheWorkstationtoolbarbyadding,removing,andrearranging
toolbarbuttons.OnaLinuxhost,allthebuttonsarecontainedinasingletoolbar.
To customize the toolbar on a Linux host
1
RightclickthefarrightsideofthetoolbartodisplayaToolbarmenu.
ClickPower,Snapshot,View,orReplaytoaddorremovethattoolbar.
Whenatoolbarnameischecked,thecorrespondingbuttonsappearinthe
interface.
IntheDesktopStylepartofthemenu,choosethedisplaystylefortoolbarbuttons.
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Customize the Toolbar on a Windows Host

YoucancustomizetheWorkstationtoolbarbyadding,removing,andrearranging
toolbarbuttons.
To customize the toolbar on a Windows host
1
RightclickanypartofthetoolbartodisplayaToolbarmenu.
ClickPower,Snapshot,ACE,View,orReplaytoaddorremovethattoolbar.
Whenatoolbarischecked,itappearsintheinterface.
Tochangewhichbuttonsappearinatoolbarortheorderinwhichtheyappear,
displaythattoolbarandcontinuewiththefollowingsteps.
RightclickthePower,Snapshot,ACE,View,orReplaytoolbartoopenthe
CustomizeToolbardialogbox.
ButtonslistedunderCurrentToolbarButtonsappearinthetoolbar,intheorder
shownintheCustomizeToolbarsdialogbox.
Doanyofthefollowing:
Toaddorremoveabuttonfromthetoolbar,selectthebuttonandclickAddor
Remove.Addaseparatortodisplayaverticallinebetweenthebuttons.
Tochangetheorderofthebuttons,selectanybuttonunderCurrentToolbar
ButtonsandclickMoveUporMoveDown.
Tochangetheorderofthecurrentlydisplayedbuttonswithoutopeningthe
CustomizeToolbarwindow,holddowntheShiftkeywhileyoudragabutton
toadifferentlocationinthetoolbar.
Torestorethedefaultsetup,withallbuttonsdisplayed,clickReset.
ClickClose.
View the Sidebar

Thesidebarcontainsalistoffavoritesandshowswhichvirtualmachinesorteamsof
virtualmachinesarecurrentlypoweredon.OnWindowshosts,anadditionalsection
ofthesidebardisplaysACEManagementServers.Formoreinformation,seethe
VMwareACEManagementServerAdministratorsManual.
To view the Sidebar
ChooseView>Sidebar.
Ifthesidebarwashidden,itbecomesvisible.Ifitwasvisible,itishidden.
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Favorites List in the Sidebar

TheFavoriteslistletsyouorganizeandaccessfrequentlyuseditems.
TheFavoriteslistprovidesthefollowingbenefits:
FastaccessQuicklyaccessfrequentlyuseditems.Withyourvirtualmachines
andteamsontheFavoriteslist,youcanopenthemwithoutbrowsingthehostfile
system.Alsolikebrowserbookmarks,Favoriteslisticonscanbeorganizedin
folders,added,rearranged,ordeleted.
StatusDifferenticonsindicatethestatusofvirtualmachinesandteams.A
Favoriteslisticonindicateswhethertheteamorvirtualmachineispoweredoff,
poweredon,orsuspended.Abrown(ratherthanblue)virtualmachineicon
indicatesthatthevirtualmachineisaWorkstation4virtualmachine.
Table 3-1. Icon Status in the Favorites List
PoweredoffWorkstation5.x,6.x,or7.xvirtualmachineorfullclone.To
determinetheexactversion,usethesummaryviewsVersionfield.
Poweredoffvirtualmachinecreatedasalinkedcloneofanothervirtual
machine.
Poweredoffteamofvirtualmachines.
PoweredoffWorkstation4virtualmachine.
Poweredonindicatorcanappearforvirtualmachinesandteams.
Suspendedindicatorcanappearforvirtualmachinesandteams.
Unavailableindicatorcanappearifavirtualmachineorteamgetscorrupted
ormovedfromthelocationthatwasusedtocreatethefavoritesitem.The
indicatoralsoappearsifthevirtualmachineisalreadyopeninVMware
Playerorisopenedbyanotheruser.
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RightclickcommandsRightclickonaFavoritesicontodisplayamenuof
commandsyoucanuseforthatvirtualmachineorteam.Youcanclickelsewhere
intheFavoriteslist(thatis,notonavirtualmachineorteam)todisplayacontext
menufromwhichyoucanchoosetocreateanewvirtualmachine,team,orfolder.
Youcanalsoopenanexistingvirtualmachine,team,MicrosoftVirtualPCor
VirtualServervirtualmachine,StorageCraft,orSymantecBackupExecSystem
Recoverysystemimage.
Use Folders for Organizing Favorites

Youcanorganizefavoritesintofoldersandnestfoldersinsideotherfolders.
To use folders for organizing favorites
1
RightclickFavorites(oranyitemintheFavoriteslist),andchooseNewFolder.
CompletetheNewFolderdialogboxthatappears.
(Optional)Draganddropfolderstoplaceoneinsideanother.
DraganddropFavoritesitemsinthedesiredfolder.
Add Virtual Machines and Teams to the Favorites List

VirtualmachinesandteamsareautomaticallyaddedtotheFavoriteslistwhenyou
completetheNewVirtualMachinewizard.Youcanalsoaddthemmanually.
To add virtual machines and teams to the Favorites list
1
ChooseFile>Openandbrowsetothelocationofthevirtualmachine(.vmx file)
orteam(.vmtm file).
ClickOpen.
ChooseFile>AddtoFavorites.
Remove an Item from the Favorites List

YoucanremovethenameofavirtualmachineorteamfromtheFavoriteslist
regardlessofwhetherthevirtualmachineorteamisopenorpoweredon.Removing
thenamedoesnotaffectthevirtualmachinesfilesoroperation.
To remove an item from the Favorites list
64
ClickanameintheFavoriteslisttoselectit.
ChooseFile>RemovefromFavorites.
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Rename an Item in the Favorites List

RenaminganitemintheFavoriteslistalsorenamesthevirtualmachineorteam.
To rename a Favorite list entry for a virtual machine or a team
1
RightclicktheFavoritesitemtorename.
ChooseRenamefromthecontextmenu.
TypethenewnamefortheitemandpressEnter.
Powered On List
Thislistinthesidebarenablesyoutofindoutwhichvirtualmachinesorteamsare
currentlypoweredon.RightclickitemsinthePoweredOnlisttodisplayamenuof
commandsyoucanuseforthatvirtualmachineorteam.
Check for Product Updates

Workstationautomaticallychecksforproductupdateseverythreedays.Ifanupdate
checkfailsontwoconsecutiveattempts,youreceiveanotification.
NOTECheckingforproductupdatesworksonlyifthehostcomputerisconnectedto
theInternet.
To check for product updates
1
(Optional)Tocheckforupdatesimmediately,chooseHelp>CheckforUpdateson
theWeb.
ToconfigureWorkstationtoperiodicallycheckforupdates,chooseEdit>
Preferences>Updates.
IntheSoftwareupdatessection,selectCheckfornewversionofVMware
WorkstationonstartupandclickOK.
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Quickly Create a Virtual Machine and Install an Operating

System
Theinstructionsinthissectiongetyoustartedquicklywithcreatingavirtualmachine
andinstallingaguestoperatingsystem.Afteryoucreateavirtualmachine,youwill
findtheinformationintherestofthischaptereasiertounderstand.
TheinstructionstellyoutoacceptthedefaultsettingssothatyoucancompletetheNew
VirtualMachinewizardquickly.ThepurposeistolearnaboutWorkstation.Later,
whenyouwanttocreatevirtualmachinesthatyouactuallyuseinyourworkor
productionenvironment,youcanlearnaboutalltheoptionsavailable.This
informationisprovidedinChapter 4,CreatingandUpgradingaVirtualMachine,on
page 79.
Forsimplicity,useaWindowsinstallationCDorISOimagefilefortheoperating
systemyouinstallinthevirtualmachine.MostWindowsoperatingsystemsfitonone
CD,whereasLinuxrequiresmultipleCDs.IfyouwanttouseaLinuxguestoperating
system,useinstallationmediaforoneofthenewerversionsofRedHat,SUSELinux,
orUbuntu.Theeasyinstallfeatureissupportedfortheseoperatingsystems.
To quickly create a virtual machine
1
TouseaninstallationCDorDVDfortheoperatingsystem,ratherthananISO
imagefile,inserttheCDorDVDinthehostCDROMdrive.
StartVMwareWorkstation.
Forinstructions,seeStartWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 53orStart
WorkstationonaLinuxHostonpage 54.
ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine.
OntheWelcomepage,selectTypicalandclickNext.
OntheGuestOperatingsystemInstallationpage,selectInstallerdiscorInstaller
discimagefile,asappropriate,andclickNext.
CompletethefieldsontheEasyInstallInformationpage.
Specifyingapasswordisoptional.OnWindows,thepasswordyouenterhereis
usedforanaccountwithAdministratorpermissions.OnWindows2000,the
passwordisusedfortheAdministratoraccount.
Acceptthedefaultsontherestofthewizardpages.
ThevirtualmachineiscreatedanditsnameisaddedtotheFavoriteslist.
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Theconsoleviewforthevirtualmachineappears.Soonthebootdevice(suchasthe
CDROM)isdetectedandinstallationoftheoperatingsystembegins.
OnWindows2000guests,ifyouenteredapasswordwhencompletingtheNewVirtual
Machinewizard,thenwhentheoperatingsystemstartsup,itmightpromptyouto
enteranAdministratorpassword.Usethepasswordthatyoucreatedwhencompleting
theNewVirtualMachinewizard.
Afterinstallationisfinished,VMwareToolsisautomaticallyinstalled.
Nowthatyouhaveavirtualmachinewithaguestoperatingsysteminstalled,youcan
refertoitasyoureadtherestofthetopicsinthischapter.
Introduction to Workstation Preferences

ThePreferencesdialogboxappearswhenyouchooseEdit>Preferences.Itletsyou
changeanumberofsettingsthatapplytoWorkstation,nomatterwhichvirtual
machineyouarerunning.
ThedefaultsettingsforWorkstationpreferencesarecorrectformostcases.Donot
changesettingsunlessyouareanexperienceduser.
NOTEOnaLinuxhost,youmustbeloggedinasroottosaveglobalpreference
changes.
FollowingisalistofthetabsinthePreferencesdialogbox,alongwithcrossreferences
tothesectionsofthismanualthatpertaintoeachtab:
WorkspacetabLetsyouconfigurethefollowingsettings:
LocationsectionLetsyouchangethedirectoryinwhichnewlycreated
virtualmachinesarestored.SeeVirtualMachineLocationonpage 83and
FilesThatMakeUpaVirtualMachineonpage 97.
VirtualMachinessectionSeveraloftheseoptionshavetodowithexiting
Workstationwhileleavingsomevirtualmachinespoweredon.SeeClosing
VirtualMachinesandExitingWorkstationonpage 71.Forinformationabout
enablingsharedfolders,seeSetUpSharedFoldersonpage 191.
InputtabLetsyouadjustthewaythevirtualmachinecapturescontrolof
keyboardandmouse.Forexample,bydefaultthevirtualmachinegrabskeyboard
andmouseinputwhenyouclickinthevirtualmachinewindow.
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HotKeystabLetsyouspecifythekeycombinationthatisusedwithhotkey
sequencesforallyourvirtualmachines.Usehotkeycombinationstoenterand
leavefullscreenmode,ungrabmouseandkeyboardinput,andsoon.See
KeyboardShortcutsonpage 72.
DisplaytabLetsyouadjustthemannerinwhichtheconsoleandthehostdisplay
accommodateadifferentguestoperatingsystemdisplayresolution.
AlsoseeFittingtheWorkstationConsoletotheVirtualMachineDisplayon
page 169andUseFullScreenModeonpage 162.
MemorytabFordetailsonadjustingmemorysettingsinWorkstation,clickHelp
onthistab.OnLinux,youmustberunningWorkstationasrootinordertochange
thesesettings.
PrioritytabForinformationaboutthesnapshotsettingsonthistab,seeEnable
orDisableBackgroundSnapshotsonpage 206.OnLinux,youmustberunning
Workstationasrootinordertochangethissetting.
ForinformationabouttheprocessprioritysettingsavailableonWindowshosts,
clickHelponthistab.
UpdatestabLetsyouspecifywhethertoautomaticallyupdateVMwareTools
anddownloadothercomponentsonWindowsandLinuxguestsystemswhena
newversionbecomesavailable.OnLinuxhosts,youmustberunningWorkstation
asrootinordertochangethesesettings.
VMwareToolsisasuiteofutilitiesthatenhancestheperformanceofthevirtual
machinesguestoperatingsystemandimprovesmanagementofthevirtual
machine.SeeChapter 5,InstallingandUsingVMwareTools,onpage 101.
Devicestab(Windowshostsonly)Bydefault,theAutorunfeatureonthehostis
disabled.Therefore,whenyouinsertaCDorDVDintheCD/DVDROMdrive,
theAutorunfeatureisnotavailable.YoucanopentheCDorDVDonthehost
usingWindowsExplorer.
Inadditiontothecrossreferencesmentionedinthislist,moreinformationaboutthe
settingsoneachtabisavailableintheWorkstationonlinehelp.ClickHelpinthe
Preferencesdialogbox.
Thesettingsonthefollowingtabsapplyonlytotheusercurrentlyloggedontothehost
computer:Workspacetab,Inputtab,HotKeystab,Prioritytab,andToolstab.
Thesettingsonthefollowingtabsapplynomatterwhichvirtualmachineisrunningor
whichuserisloggedontothehostcomputer:Displaytab,Memorytab,andDevices
tab.
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Introduction to Virtual Machine Settings

Workstationconfiguresanewvirtualmachinebasedontheguestoperatingsystemyou
selectintheNewVirtualMachinewizard.Afterthevirtualmachineiscreated,youcan
usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortochangemanyconfigurationoptionssetbythe
wizard.Thevirtualmachinesettingseditorappearswhenyouselectavirtualmachine
andchooseVM>Settings.
OnguestswithWindowsXPandlaterversions,ifyoumakechangestothevirtual
machineconfigurationafteractivatingtheguestyoumighthavetoreactivateit.To
minimizethechanges,setthefinalmemorysizeforthevirtualmachineandinstall
VMwareToolsbeforeyouactivatetheguest.
Hardware Tab
UsetheHardwaretabtoadd,remove,andconfigurevirtualdevicesfortheselected
virtualmachine.
Figure 3-6. Virtual Machine Settings Hardware Tab
memory
device
Help button
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WhenyouselectanitemintheHardwarelist,theoptionsthatcorrespondtotheitem
appearontherightsideofthedialogbox.Forexample,inFigure 36,memoryoptions
appearbecausetheMemoryitemisselected.
TopicsandchaptersrelatedtoeachofthevirtualdevicesintheHardwarelistare
providedlaterinthismanual.Todisplayonlinehelpforanitemyouselectinthe
Hardwarelist,clickHelp.
Options Tab
TheOptionstabletsyouadjustcharacteristicsoftheselectedvirtualmachine:
70
Manyoptionscontrolinteractionsbetweenthehostandtheguestoperating
system,suchashowfolderscanbeshared,howfilesaretransferred,andwhat
happenstoaguestoperatingsystemwhenyouexitWorkstation.
SomeoptionsletyouoverridesimilarPreferencesdialogboxoptions,whichare
globalpreferencessetforallvirtualmachines.Forexample,youcanusethe
AdvancedoptiontooverridetheprocessprioritiessetonthePrioritytabinthe
Preferencesdialogbox.
Someoptionsletyouchangesettingsyoumightinitiallymakewhenrunningthe
NewVirtualMachinewizardtocreateavirtualmachine.Forexample,youcanuse
theGeneraloptionstochangethenameofthevirtualmachine.
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Figure 3-7. Virtual Machine Settings Options Tab
General
options
ThesettingsforthevirtualmachineOptionstabarediscussedlaterinthismanual,in
thetaskspecifictopicsandprocedureswhereyouwouldusethem.Todisplayonline
helpforanitemyouselectintheOptionslist,clickHelp.
Closing Virtual Machines and Exiting Workstation

Whenyoucloseavirtualmachineorteam,andwhenyouexitWorkstation,ifany
virtualmachinesarestillpoweredon,youarepromptedtospecifyoneofthefollowing
actionstotake:
Continuerunningthevirtualmachineinthebackground.Ifavirtualmachine
continuesrunningafteryouexitWorkstation,youcanstillinteractwithitthrough
virtualnetworkcomputing(VNC)orsomeotherservice.
Suspendthevirtualmachine.Thesuspendoperationsavesthestateofthevirtual
machine.SeeUsingtheSuspendandResumeFeaturesonpage 201.
Powerthevirtualmachineoff.Ifyouconfiguredthepoweroperationtodoasoft
poweroff,aVMwareToolsscriptrunsinordertocleanlyshutdowntheguest
operatingsystembeforepoweringoff.SeeConfigurePowerOffandReset
OptionsforaVirtualMachineonpage 152.
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ToavoidreceivingaprompteverytimeyouexitWorkstationorcloseavirtualmachine
orteam,setapreferenceforvirtualmachinestoalwaysruninthebackgroundwhen
youexit.
Set a Virtual Machine to Run in the Background

Youcansetavirtualmachinethatispoweredontocontinuerunninginthebackground
whenyoucloseavirtualmachineorteamtab,orwhenyouexitWorkstation.Youcan
stillinteractwithitthroughVNCoranotherservice.
Bydefault,whenvirtualmachinesruninthebackground,astatusiconappearsinthe
notificationareaofthetaskbar.Pointtotheicontodisplayaatooltipthatshowsthe
numberofvirtualmachinesandteamsthatarerunninginthebackground.Theseare
thevirtualmachinesandteamsthatbelongtotheuserwhoisloggedin.
To set a virtual machine to run in the background
ClickRuninBackgroundatthepromptwhenyouclosethevirtualmachineorexit
Workstation.
SetaWorkstationpreference:
a
FromtheVMwareWorkstationmenubar,chooseEdit>Preferences.
OntheWorkspacetab,selectKeepVMsrunningafterWorkstationcloses
andclickOK.
WhenyoucloseataborexitWorkstation,younolongerreceiveaprompt.
Keyboard Shortcuts
YoucanusekeyboardshortcutstointeractwithWorkstationandwithvirtual
machines.MostoftheavailablekeyboardshortcutsforWorkstationarelistednextto
theirassociatedcommandsinWorkstationmenus.
Hotkeys,orkeyboardshortcutsforinteractionswithvirtualmachines,areshownin
Table 32.Hotkeycombinationscanbeusedtodothefollowing:
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Switchbetweenvirtualmachines
Enterandexitfullscreenmode
Ungrabinput
SendCtrl+Alt+Deltothevirtualmachineonly(andnottothehost)
Sendcommandstothevirtualmachineonly(andnottothehost)
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Bydefault,mosthotkeycombinationsincludeCtrl+Alt,butyoucanchangethis
combination.SeeChangetheHotKeyCombinationonpage 74.
IfyouchangethePreferencessettingforthehotkeycombination,substituteyournew
settingforCtrl+AltasneededintheshortcutslistedinTable 32.Forexample,ifyou
changethehotkeycombinationtoCtrl+Shift+Alt,youmustpress
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+spacebartohaveWorkstationnotprocessacommand.
Table 3-2. Hot-Key Combinations
Shortcut
Action
Ctrl+G
Grabinputfromkeyboardandmouse.
Ctrl+Alt
Releasethemousecursor.Ifthevirtualmachineisinthetypeoffull
screenmodecalledexclusivemode,pressingCtrl+Altchangesthevirtual
machinefromexclusivemodetowindowedmode.
Ctrl+Alt+Insert
Shutsdownor(dependingupontheguestoperatingsystem)logsoutof
theguest.Thiscommandisreceivedsolelybythevirtualmachine.
Note:ForthisandallshortcutsthatincludeCtrl+Alt,changingthe
hotkeycombinationchangesthesequenceyouneedtouse.Forinstance,
ifyouchangethehotkeycombinationtoCtrl+Shift+Alt,youmustpress
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Inserttoendtheguestoperatingsystemsession.
Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Shutsdownor(dependingupontheoperatingsystem)logsoutofthe
guestoperatingsystem.
OnWindowshosts,ifyouarenotusingtheenhancedvirtualkeyboard
feature,thiscommandisreceivedbyboththehostoperatingsystemand
thevirtualmachine,evenwhenWorkstationhascontrolofinput.Youcan
canceltheendingofthehostoperatingsystemssessionandreturntothe
virtualmachinetologoutorshutdownorperformadministrativetasks.
Ctrl+Alt+spacebar
SendsanycommandtothevirtualmachinesothatWorkstationdoesnot
processit.HolddownCtrl+Altasyoupressandreleasethespacebar,and
continuetoholdtheCtrl+Altkeysdownasyoupressthenextkeyinthe
combination.
Ctrl+Alt+Tab
Switchamongopenvirtualmachineswhilemouseandkeyboardinput
aregrabbed.
Ctrl+Tab
OnWindowshosts,switchamongopenvirtualmachineswhilemouse
andkeyboardinputarenotgrabbed.Workstationmustbetheactive
application.
Ctrl+Shift+Tab
Ctrl+Alt+right
arrow
Infullscreenmode,switchtothenextpoweredonvirtualmachine.
Ctrl+Alt+left
arrow
Infullscreenmode,switchtothepreviouspoweredonvirtualmachine.
Ctrl+Shift+U
InUnitymode,givesaccesstothevirtualmachineStartorApplications
menu.
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Change the Hot-Key Combination

Hotkeycombinations,orshortcutkeys,arekeycombinationsyoupresstointeract
withvirtualmachines.Foralistofactionsyoucaninvokebyusinghotkeys,see
Table 32.
Bydefault,mosthotkeycombinationsincludeCtrl+Alt,butyoucanchangethis
combination.Forexample,youcanchangethesettingsothatallhotkeycombinations
useCtrl+Shift+Alt.Thisisusefulifyouwanttopreventcertainkeycombinations(such
asCtrl+Alt+Del)frombeinginterceptedbyWorkstationinsteadofbeingsenttothe
Thehotkeypreferencesyousetinthepreferenceseditorapplytovirtualmachinesyou
accessfromwithinWorkstation.ThesesettingsdonotaffectvirtualmachinesorACE
instancesdistributedtootherusers.
To change the hot-key combination
1
ChooseEdit>Preferences.
ClicktheHotKeystab.
Usethefollowinginformationtohelpyouchooseakeycombination:
CustomkeycombinationsinvolveusingacombinationoftheCtrl,Shift,Alt,and
Windowskeys.TheWindowskeyisthekeybetweentheCtrlandAltkeysonyour
keyboard.Themodifiersforthecustomcombinationare:
DownThekeymustbepressedtousethehotkeysequence.
UpThekeymustnotbepressedtousethehotkeysequence.
EitherThekeycanbeupordown.Thismodifierisusefultoallowusersa
varietyofkeystrokestoleavefullscreenmode.Forexample,selectingEither
fortheShiftkeymeansthatbothCtrl+Alt+EnterandCtrl+Shift+Alt+Enter
causeWorkstationtoexitfullscreenmode.
IfyouselectEitherforallofthekeys(Ctrl,Alt,Shift,andWin)inthecustom
combination,youcanusetheEsckeytoreleasethecursor.
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(Optional)TosetahotkeypreferencefortheUnityapplicationmenu,enteryour
customkeycombinationintheUnityapplicationsmenuhotkeyfield,orusethe
defaultcombinationCtrl+Shift+U.
ClickOK.
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Gathering Information for VMware Technical Support

WhenyouneedhelpfromVMwaretechnicalsupport,VMwarerecommendsthatyou
createasupportrequest.Forsomeproblems,therepresentativewillaskyoutoturnon
debugging,runascripttocollectlogfiles,andsendthelogstoVMware.
Register and Create a Support Request

BeforeyoucanreportproblemstotheVMwaresupportteam,youmustregisterfora
VMwareaccount.
Beforeyoubegin,locatetheserialnumber.Itisontheregistrationcardinyourpackage.
IfyoupurchasedWorkstationonline,theserialnumberissentbyemail.
To register and create a support request
1
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseHelp>VMwareontheWeb>Register
Now!
FollowtheinstructionsontheWebsite.
Toreportproblems,fromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseHelp>VMwareon
theWeb>RequestSupport.
Gather Debugging Information for a Virtual Machine

Workstationprovidesseverallevelsofloggingtohelpdiagnoseandtroubleshoot
varioustypesofproblems.
Youcanusefulldebuggingmodetogatherthegreatestamountofdata,whichisuseful
whenavirtualmachinefreezesorpowersoffunexpectedly.Youcanusestatisticsmode
togatherperformancestatisticswhenvirtualmachinesrunslowly.Youcanalso
increaseloggingwithoutgoingintofulldebuggingmode.AVMwaretechnicalsupport
representativecantellyouwhichleveltouse.
Afteryougatherdebugginginformation,youcansendthelogfilestoVMware
technicalsupport.
To gather debugging information for a virtual machine
1
Selectthevirtualmachine.
Makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredofforsuspended.
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheOptionstab,selectAdvanced.
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SelectfromtheGatherdebugginginformationdropdownmenuortheLog
virtualmachineprogressperiodicallycheckbox,asdirectedbyVMwaretechnical
support.
Usingfulldebuggingmodeandloggingprogressperiodicallycauseadecreasein
performance.
IntheFilelocationssection,notethedirectorypathtothelogfile.
Toviewthecompletepath,clickinthereadonlytextboxandusetherightarrow
keytoscrollthroughthepath.
ClickOK.
Running the Support Script

Tohelpdiagnoseaproblem,theVMwaresupportteammightaskyoutorunasupport
scripttogatherinformation.Forexample,ifavirtualmachineexitsabnormallyorfails,
runthesupportscripttocollecttheappropriatelogfilesandsysteminformation.
InWorkstation7.0,youcanrunthesupportscriptbyselectingHelp >CollectSupport
Data.Youcanalsorunthescriptfromthecommandline.
Run the Support Script from the Workstation User Interface

RunthesupportscriptonlywhenrequestedtodosobyVMwaretechnicalsupport.
Thesupportcollectionscriptcollectsdatafromallofthevirtualmachinesyouselect
andfromyourhostmachine,andstoresallofthedatainasinglefile.OnWindows
hosts,afterthescriptfinishesrunning,itcreatesa.ZIPfileofthecollecteddataand
displaysthefileinanopenWindowsExplorerwindow.Thedefaultlocationofthe.ZIP
file:
OnWindowsXPis
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Temp\vmware-supp
ort\
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7is
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Temp\vmware-support\
OnLinuxhosts,thescriptcreatesacompressed.TGZfileintheusershomedirectory.
Becausethescriptisnotrunasroot,thescriptdisplaysmessagesindicatingthatit
cannotcollectsomeinformation.Thisisnormal.IftheVMwaresupportteamneeds
thatinformation,asupportrepresentativeasksyoutorunthescriptfromthecommand
lineasroot.Forinstructions,seeRuntheSupportScriptfromaLinuxTerminal
Windowonpage 78.
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Beforeyoubegin,createasupportrequest.SeeRegisterandCreateaSupport
Requestonpage 75.Increasetheleveloflogging,asdescribedinGatherDebugging
InformationforaVirtualMachineonpage 75.MakesurethatthelatestVMwareTools
isinstalledinthevirtualmachinestocollectsupportdatafromtheguestandthatthe
virtualmachinesarepoweredon.
To run the support script from the Workstation user interface
1
SelectHelp>CollectSupportData.
AdialogboxdisplaysallyouropenWorkstationvirtualmachines.
Checktheboxesforthevirtualmachinestocollectsupportdatafromandselect
Collect.
IfyouselectCollectwithnovirtualmachinesselected,thesupportcollection
scriptcollectsdataonlyfromyourhostmachine.
IfyouselectacheckboxforavirtualmachineandselectCollect,thesupport
collectionscriptcollectsthecurrentdatafromtheyourguestandhost
machines.
ThevirtualmachinemustbepoweredonandhavethelatestVMwareTools
running.VMwarerecommendsthatyouusethisoptiontocollectthecurrent
dataforyourguestmachine.
Addthe.ZIPor.TGZdatafiletoyoursupportrequest.
Run the Support Script from a Windows Command Prompt

RunthisscriptonlywhenrequestedtodosobyVMwaretechnicalsupport.
InformationforaVirtualMachineonpage 75.
To run the support script from a Windows command prompt
1
Openacommandprompt.
ChangetotheVMwareWorkstationprogramdirectory:
C:
cd \Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation
Ifyoudidnotinstalltheprograminthedefaultdirectory,usetheappropriatedrive
letterandpathinthecdcommandabove.
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Runthesupportscript:
cscript vm-support.vbs
Afterthescriptruns,itdisplaysthenameofthedirectorywhereithasstoredits
output.
4
UseafilecompressionutilitysuchasWinZiporPKZIPtozipthescriptoutput
directory,andincludethezipfilewithyoursupportrequest.
IfyouarereportingaproblemyouencounteredwhileinstallingVMware
Workstation,alsoincludetheinstallationlogfile.
OnaWindowshost,thefileisVMInst.log.ItissavedintheTempfolder.Ona
WindowsXPorWindowsServer2003host,thedefaultlocationisC:\Documents
and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Temp.
Youcanusethecommandcd %temp%tolocatetheLocal Settingsfolder,which
ishiddenbydefault.Toseeitscontents,openMyComputer,gotoTools>Folder
Options,clicktheViewtabandselectShowHiddenFilesandFolders.
Run the Support Script from a Linux Terminal Window

RunthisscriptonlywhenrequestedtodosobyVMwaretechnicalsupport.
InformationforaVirtualMachineonpage 75.
To run the support script from a Linux terminal window
1
Openaterminalwindow.
Runthesupportscriptastheuserwhoisrunningthevirtualmachine:
vm-support
Ifyouarenotrunningthescriptasroot,thescriptdisplaysmessagesindicating
thatitcannotcollectsomeinformation.Thisisnormal.IftheVMwaresupport
teamneedsthatinformation,asupportrepresentativewillaskyoutorunthescript
againasroot.
Thescriptcreatesacompressed.TGZfileintheusershomedirectory.
3
Includethatoutputfilewithyoursupportrequest.
IfyouarereportingaproblemyouencounteredwhileinstallingWorkstation,also
includetheinstallationlogfile.
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Creating and Upgrading a

Virtual Machine
ThischapterdescribeshowtocreateavirtualmachinebyusingtheNewVirtual
Machinewizard.Italsoprovidesgeneralinformationaboutinstallingguestoperating
systems.
Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
MethodsofCreatingVirtualMachinesonpage 79
ConfigurationOptionsfortheNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 80
UsetheNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 89
InstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 89
UpgradeaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 94
ChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachineonpage 94
UsinganOlderVersionVirtualMachineWithoutUpgradingonpage 96
FilesThatMakeUpaVirtualMachineonpage 97
Methods of Creating Virtual Machines

Workstationgivesyouseveraloptionsforcreatingvirtualmachines:
Createavirtualmachine.
Ifyoudonothaveanyvirtualmachinesorsystemimages,youmustusethis
method.UsetheNewVirtualMachinewizardtocreateavirtualmachine.Next,
youmustinstallanoperatingsystem.Theprocessisthesameasinstallingitona
physicalcomputer.
Therestofthischapterdescribesthismethodofcreatingavirtualmachine.
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CloneavirtualmachinefromanexistingVMwarevirtualmachineorvirtual
machinetemplate.
Clonesareusefulwhenyoumustdeploymanyidenticalvirtualmachinestoa
group.CloningispreferabletocopyingavirtualmachinebecauseaclonesMAC
addressandUUIDaredifferentfromtheoriginalvirtualmachine,toavoid
networkconflicts.UsetheCloneVirtualMachinewizardtocreateaclone.
SeeCloningaVirtualMachineonpage 219.
OnWindowshosts,convertaphysicalmachine,virtualmachine,orsystemimage
thatwascreatedbyusinganotherVMwareproductorathirdpartyproduct.
Thisprocesscreatesacloneoftheoriginalvirtualmachineorsystemimage.Use
theConversionwizardtoconvertaphysicalorvirtualmachineorasystemimage.
SeeChapter 6,CreatingaVirtualMachinefromaSystemImageorAnother
VirtualMachine,onpage 133.
Configuration Options for the New Virtual Machine

Wizard
AsyoucompletetheNewVirtualMachinewizard,youarepromptedtomake
decisionsaboutmanyaspectsofthevirtualmachine.Thetopicsinthissectionprovide
informationabouttheissuesinvolvedsothatyoucandeterminewhichchoicesyou
wanttomakebeforerunningthewizard.
Easy Install Feature for Some Guest Operating Systems

Theeasyinstallfeaturesenableyoutoperformanunattendedinstallationoftheguest
operatingsystemafteryoucompletetheNewVirtualMachinewizard.Youcanusethis
featureregardlessofwhetheryouchooseatypicaloracustomconfigurationinthe
wizard.
OnWindowsguests,theeasyinstallfeatureisavailableforthefollowingoperating
systems:
WindowsVista,Windows7,WindowsXP,andWindows2000
WindowsServer2008,WindowsServer2003,andWindows2000Server
OnLinuxguests,theeasyinstallfeatureisavailableforthefollowingoperating
systems:
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Ubuntu7.10andlater
RedHatEnterpriseLinux3through5
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Chapter 4 Creating and Upgrading a Virtual Machine
Ifyouspecifyaninstallerdisc(DVDorCD)orISOimagefileandifthewizarddetects
anoperatingsystemthatsupportstheeasyinstallfeature,youarepromptedtosupply
thefollowinginformation:
ForWindowsguests:
(Optional)WindowsproductkeyIfyouspecifyaproductkey,youarenot
promptedforitlater,duringinstallationoftheoperatingsystem.Entera
productkeyunlesstheinstallationmediaalreadycontainsavolumelicense
productkey.
FullnameThisnameisusedforregisteringtheoperatingsystem.Donotuse
thenameAdministratororGuest.Ifyouuseoneofthesenames,youwill
receiveanerrormessageduringinstallationoftheoperatingsystemandbe
promptedtoenteradifferentname.
(Optional)PasswordOnWindowsoperatingsystemsotherthanWindows
2000,thepasswordyouenterhereisusedforanaccountwithAdministrator
permissions.OnWindows2000,thepasswordyouenterhereisusedforthe
Administratoraccount.
ForLinuxguests:
FullnameThisnameisusedforregisteringtheoperatingsystem,if
registrationisrequired.Thefirstnameisusedasthehostnameforthevirtual
machine.
UsernameYoucanuselowercaselettersandnumbers,withnospaces.Do
notusethenameroot.Someoperatingsystemssetupsudoaccessforthisuser,
andsomerequirethisusertousesutogetrootprivileges.
PasswordThepasswordyouenterhereisusedforboththeusernameyou
supplyandtherootuser.
ThisfeaturealsoinstallsVMwareToolsintheguestoperatingsystem.Formore
informationaboutVMwareTools,seeComponentsofVMwareToolsonpage 101.
IfyouplantouseaCD,DVD,orISOimagethatcontainsaproductkeynumberandis
alreadysetuptoperformanunattendedinstallation,theonlybenefityougainbyusing
theeasyinstallfeatureistheautomaticinstallationofVMwareTools.
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Typical Compared to Custom Configurations

TheNewVirtualMachinewizardpromptsyoutochoosebetweendoingatypical
configurationandacustomconfiguration.IfyouselectTypical,thewizardprompts
youtospecifyoracceptdefaultsforthefollowingchoices:
Mediumforinstallingtheguestoperatingsystem(CD,imagefile,orneither)
Guestoperatingsystem
Virtualmachinenameandthelocationofthevirtualmachinefiles
Sizeofthevirtualdiskandwhethertosplitthediskinto2GBfiles
Hardwarecustomization,foradvancedusers
Youarenotpromptedtospecifythevirtualmachineversion.Thevirtualmachine
version(Workstation5.x,6.x,or7.0)isassumedtobetheonespecifiedinthe
preferenceseditor.FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseEdit>Preferences,andsee
thesettingforDefaulthardwarecompatibility.
Onthelastpageofthewizard,youcanclickCustomizeHardwaretochangethe
defaultsformemoryallocation,numberofvirtualCPUs,networkconnectiontype,and
soon.
Manycircumstancesrequireyoutoselectacustominstallation.SelectCustomifyou
wanttodoanyofthefollowing:
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Makeadifferentversionofvirtualmachinethanwhatisspecifiedinthe
preferenceseditor.
SpecifytheI/OadaptertypeforSCSIadapters:BusLogic,LSILogic,or
LSI Logic SAS.
SpecifywhetheryouwanttocreateanIDEoraSCSIvirtualdisk,regardlessofthe
defaultthatisusuallyusedfortheguestoperatingsystem.
Useaphysicaldiskratherthanavirtualdisk(forexpertusers).
Useanexistingvirtualdiskratherthancreateavirtualdisk.
Placethevirtualdiskfileinalocationotherthanthevirtualmachinedirectory.
Allocateallvirtualdiskspaceratherthanallowingthediskspacetogradually
growtothemaximum.
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Guest Operating System Selection

IfyouspecifythatthesourcemediaforinstallingtheoperatingsystemisInstallerdisc
orInstallerdiscimagefileandifthewizardcandetecttheoperatingsystem,you
mightnotseeawizardpageforselectingtheoperatingsystem.
Afteryouspecifyanoperatingsystemorafterthewizarddetectsitfromtheinstallation
media,Workstationusesthisinformationtodothefollowing:
Selectappropriatedefaultvalues,suchastheamountofmemorytoallocate.
Namefilesassociatedwiththevirtualmachine.
Adjustsettingsforoptimalperformance.
Workaroundspecialbehaviorsandbugswithinaguestoperatingsystem.
Iftheoperatingsystemyouplantouseisnotlisted,selectOtherforbothguest
operatingsystemandversion.
Forsomeoperatingsystems,theoperatingsystemandVMwareToolsareinstalled
automaticallyafterthevirtualmachineiscreated.SeeEasyInstallFeatureforSome
GuestOperatingSystemsonpage 80.
NOTEWorkstationsupports64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyinWorkstation
versions5.5andlater,andonlyonhostmachineswithsupportedprocessors.Forthe
listofprocessorsWorkstationsupportsfor64bitguestoperatingsystems,seePC
Hardwareonpage 23.
Virtual Machine Location

Thefollowingexamplesshowthedefaultlocationssuggestedforvirtualmachines:
OnWindowsXPandWindowsServer2003hosts,thedefaultfolderforaWindows
XPProfessionalvirtualmachineis:
Machines\<guestOSname>
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,thedefaultfolderis:
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Virtual Machines\<guestOSname>
OnLinuxhosts,thedefaultlocationforaWindowsXPProfessionalvirtual
machineis:
<homedir>/vmware/<guestOSname>
The<homedir>valueisthehomedirectoryoftheuserwhoiscurrentlyloggedin.
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Virtualmachineperformancemightbeslowerifyourvirtualharddiskisonanetwork
drive.Forbestperformance,besurethevirtualmachinesfolderisonalocaldrive.
However,ifotherusersneedtoaccessthisvirtualmachine,considerplacingthevirtual
machinefilesinalocationthatisaccessibletothem.SeeSharingVirtualMachines
withOtherUsersonpage 227.
NOTEIfyouplantodeploythevirtualmachineonaUSBdrive,first,createthevirtual
machineonyourlocalharddisk.YoucanthenusePocketACEfeaturestodeploythe
virtualmachine.
Forinformationaboutthefilesstoredinthevirtualmachinefolder,seeFilesThat
MakeUpaVirtualMachineonpage 97.
Virtual Hardware Compatibility Levels

Thisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsonly.
WhenyoumakeaselectionfromtheHardwareCompatibilitylist,youseealistof
otherVMwareproductsandversionsthatarecompatiblewithyourselection.Youalso
seealistoffeaturesthatarenotavailableforthatversion.
Ifoneofthefeaturecompatibilitycheckboxesisavailablefortheversionyouselect,you
canselectthecheckboxtoseealistoftheadditionallimitations.
Number of Processors
Thisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsonly.Settingthevirtualmachineto
havemultiplevirtualCPUs(uptofourforVMwareWorkstation7)issupportedonly
forhostmachineswithatleasttwologicalprocessors.(IfyouarecreatingaWorkstation
4virtualmachine,youdonotseethispanel.)
Thefollowingareallconsideredtohavetwologicalprocessors:
84
Asingleprocessorhostwithhyperthreadingenabled
AsingleprocessorhostwithadualcoreCPU
AmultiprocessorhostwithtwoCPUs,regardlessofwhethertheyaredualcoreor
havehyperthreadingenabled
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Memory Allocation
ThisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsorifyouclickCustomizeHardware
onthelastpageoftheNewVirtualMachinewizard.
Acolorcodediconcorrespondstoeachvalue.Touseoneoftheseamounts,movethe
slidertothecorrespondingicon.Thehighendoftherangethatappearsisdetermined
bytheamountofmemoryallocatedtoallrunningvirtualmachines.Ifyouallowvirtual
machinememorytobeswapped,thisvaluechangestoreflecttheamountofswapping
thatwasspecified.Tochangetheamountofmemoryavailabletoallvirtualmachines,
usetheWorkstationpreferenceseditor(Edit>Preferences).
Network Connection Type

ThisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsorifyouclickCustomizeHardware
onthelastpageoftheNewVirtualMachinewizard.Youhaveseveraloptionsfor
connectingthevirtualmachinetothenetwork:
BridgednetworkingIfyourhostcomputerisonanetworkandyouhavea
separateIPaddressforyourvirtualmachine(orcangetoneautomaticallyfroma
DHCPserver),selectBridged.Othercomputersonthenetworkcanthen
communicatedirectlywiththevirtualmachine.
NAT(NetworkAddressTranslation)IfyoudonothaveaseparateIPaddressfor
yourvirtualmachinebutyouwanttobeabletoconnecttotheInternet,selectNAT.
Thevirtualmachineandthehostshareasinglenetworkidentitythatisnotvisible
outsidethenetwork.
HostonlyHostonlynetworkingprovidesanetworkconnectionbetweenthe
virtualmachineandthehostcomputer,usingavirtualnetworkadapterthatis
visibletothehostoperatingsystem.Withhostonlynetworking,thevirtual
machinecancommunicateonlywiththehostandothervirtualmachinesinthe
hostonlynetwork.SelectHostonlytosetupanisolatedvirtualnetwork.
SeeCommonNetworkingConfigurationsonpage 286.
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I/O Adapter Types

Thisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsonly.AnIDEandaSCSIadapterare
installedinthevirtualmachine.TheIDEadapterisalwaysATAPI.FortheSCSI
adapter,youcanchooseBusLogic,LSILogic,orLSILogicSAS.BusLogicandLSILogic
adaptershaveparallelinterfaces.LSILogicSAShasaserialinterface.
Thedefaultforyourguestoperatingsystemisalreadyselected.Olderoperating
systems,suchasWindowsXPandRedHatEnterpriseLinux2,defaulttoBusLogic.
OnlyWindowsServer2008defaultstoLSILogicSAS.
NOTETheLSILogicadapterhasimprovedperformanceandworksbetterwithgeneric
SCSIdevices.TheLSILogicadapterisalsosupportedbyESXServer2.0andhigher.
YourchoiceofSCSIadapterdoesnotaffectyourdecisiontomakeyourvirtualdiskan
IDEorSCSIdisk.However,someguestoperatingsystems,suchas32bitWindows XP,
donotincludeadriverfortheLSILogicorLSILogicSASadapter.Youmustdownload
thedriverfromtheLSILogicWebsite.
NOTEDriversforaMylex(BusLogic)compatiblehostbusadapterarenotobviouson
theLSILogicWebsite.Searchthesupportareaforthenumericstringinthemodel
number.Forexample,searchfor958forBT/KT958drivers.
TheVMwareGuestOperatingSystemInstallationGuideincludesdriversupport
informationwhereappropriate.Forguestoperatingsystemsupport,knownissues,
andinstallationinstructions,seetheonlineVMwareCompatibilityGuide.Gotothe
VMwareWebsiteandselectResources>CompatibilityGuides,andclicktheViewthe
Guest/HostOStabontheVMwareCompatibilityGuideWebsitelink.
Disk Types
Thisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsonly.Therecommendeddiskforyour
guestoperatingsystemisalreadyselectedbydefault.
OnLinuxhosts,andintheAddHardwarewizard,youcanselectadiskmodeonthe
SelectaDiskTypepage.SeeNormalandIndependentDiskModesonpage 87.
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VMware, Inc.
Normal and Independent Disk Modes

TheoptiontoselectnormalorindependentmodeisavailableonLinuxhostsforcustom
configurationsonly.Normalmodemeansyouwanttoincludedisksinanysnapshots
youtake.Ifyoudonotwantdataonthedisktoberecordedwhenyoutakeasnapshot
ofthevirtualmachine,youcanconfigurethedisktobeindependent.
Ifyouconfigurethedisktobeindependent,youcanfurtherspecifywhetherchanges
youmaketothediskaretopersistorbediscardedwhenyoupoweroffthevirtual
machineorrestoreittoasnapshot.
AlthoughforWindowshosts,thisconfigurationsettingisnotavailableintheNew
VirtualMachinewizard,youcanexcludevirtualdisksfromsnapshotsbyusingthe
virtualmachinesettingseditor.SeeExcludeaVirtualDiskfromSnapshotson
page 207.
Virtual Disks and Physical Disks

Thisoptionisavailableforcustomconfigurationsonly.Ifyouuseatypical
configuration,anewvirtualdiskiscreatedandusedforthevirtualmachine.Virtual
disksarethebestchoiceformostvirtualmachines.Theyareeasytosetupandcanbe
movedtonewlocationsonthesamehostcomputerortodifferenthostcomputers.
Evenforcustomconfigurations,youusuallychoosetheoptionCreateaNewVirtual
Disk.InsomecasesyoumightwanttochooseUseanExistingVirtualDisk,tousea
virtualdiskyoucreatedpreviously.Thewizarddisplaysapageforyoutoenterthe
pathorbrowsetotheexistingvirtualdisk(.vmdk)file.
Itispossibletouseaphysicalharddisk(arawdisk)orIDEdiskpartitioninavirtual
machine.Donotuseaphysicaldiskconfigurationunlessyouareanexpertuser.See
UsingPhysicalDisksinaVirtualMachineonpage 244.
VMware, Inc.
87
Disk Capacity
Thewizardpromptsyoutosetasizebetween0.1GBand950GBforavirtualdisk.
On Windowshosts,thePocketACEsizecalculatorcontrolcanhelpdeterminethedisk
sizeforanACEinstancethatfitsonaportabledevice.
SelecttheoptionSplitvirtualdiskinto2GBfilesifyourvirtualdiskisstoredonafile
systemthatdoesnotsupportfileslargerthan2GB.
Forcustomconfigurations,youarealsogiventheoptionAllocatealldiskspacenow.
VMwarerecommendsthatyouallowthedisktogrow.Allocatingalldiskspacenow
givessomewhatbetterperformance,butitisatimeconsumingoperation.Alsoit
requiresasmuchphysicaldiskspaceasyouspecifyforthevirtualdisk.Ifyouallocate
allthediskspacenow,youcannotusetheshrinkdiskfeaturelater.
Pocket ACE Disk Size Calculator on Windows Only

ThePocketACEfeatureallowsyoutostoreACEinstancesonportabledevicessuchas
USBkeys(flashmemorydrives),AppleiPodmobiledigitaldevices,andportablehard
drives.ACEusersattachtheseportabledevicestox86hostcomputersandruntheir
ACEinstanceswithVMwarePlayer.
OntheSpecifyDiskCapacitypageoftheNewVirtualMachinewizard,youcanusethe
PocketACEsizecalculatorbuttontodeterminewhatnumbertouseintheDisksize
textbox.Disksizerefersonlytothesizeofthevirtualharddisk.Ifyouplantocreate
PocketACEs,youmustalsoconsidertheamountofdiskspacerequiredformemory,
installers,andotherfilesrelatedtovirtualmachineoverhead.
SelecttheFastsynchronizecachecheckboxtoreservespaceforwritingchangesfrom
thePocketACEcacheonthehost.Havingthisspaceavailablereducesthetimeittakes
tosynchronizefileswiththehost.
TodeterminewhatnumbertoenterintheVirtualharddisksizetextboxofthe
calculator,youneedtoknowhowmuchdiskspaceisavailableonthedevice.Plugthe
USBdeviceintoyourhostcomputerandusetheMyComputeritemtodisplayits
properties.ThisnumbercannotbelessthantheamountshownforSpacerequiredon
USBdeviceinthecalculator.IfnecessaryreducethenumberintheVirtualharddisk
sizetextboxuntiltheamountoftotalspacerequirediscorrectforthedevice.
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VMware, Inc.
Use the New Virtual Machine Wizard

TheNewVirtualMachinewizardguidesyouthroughthekeystepsforsettingupanew
virtualmachine,helpingyousetvariousoptionsandparameters.
ManyofthesettingsyouspecifyintheNewVirtualMachinecanbechangedlater,if
necessary.Youcanusethevirtualmachinesettingseditorifyouneedtomakechanges
aftertheinitialcreation.(Fromthemenubar,chooseVM>Settings.)
Beforeyoubegin,determinewhattypeofmediatouseforinstallingtheoperating
systeminthevirtualmachineanddooneofthefollowing:
IfyouplantouseaninstallationCDorDVDforinstallingtheguestoperating
system,inserttheCDorDVDinthehostsCDROMdrive.
IfyouplantouseanISOimagefile,makesurethefileisaccessibletothehost.
To use the New Virtual Machine wizard

1
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseFile>New>VirtualMachine.
Followtheprompts.
Formoreinformationaboutthefieldsonawizardpage,clickHelponthatpage.
Afterthewizardcreatesthevirtualmachine,thenextstepisinstallingtheguest
operatingsystem.SeeInstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 89.
Installing a Guest Operating System

Installationofaguestoperatingsystemcanbeautomatedormanual:
Ifyouspecifiedaninstallerdiscorimage(.iso)fileandifthewizarddetectedan
operatingsystemthatsupportstheeasyinstallfeature,installationisautomated.
AnunattendedinstallationoftheoperatingsystemandVMwareToolsbegins
whenthevirtualmachineispoweredon.
Theinstallationprocessusuallyrunswithoutrequiringinputfromyou.
See RespondtoEasyInstallPromptsonpage 90.
VMware, Inc.
Ifyoudidnotusetheeasyinstallfeature,seeInstallaGuestOperatingSystem
Manuallyonpage 91.
89
Installation Requirements for the ESX Guest Operating System

YoucanusetheeasyinstallfeaturetoinstallESX4.0andESXi4.0guestson
Workstation.Beforeyoubegin,makesureyoufulfillthefollowingrequirements:
HardwareassistedvirtualizationmustbeenabledfortheESX4.0andESXi4.0
guests.ThehostsystemmusthaveIntelEM64TprocessorswithVTxorAMD64
Family10HandlaterprocessorswithAMDV.Whereapplicable,VTxorAMDV
mustbeenabledintheBIOS(orotherfirmware).PoweroffandrestartIntelhosts
afterchangingtheBIOSsettingstoenablehardwarevirtualization.
ESX4.0guestsmustbeconfiguredwithtwoormorecores.VMwarerecommends
thatthehostsystemshouldhaveatleastasmanycoresastheguest.
Only32bitguestsmaybeinstalledtorunasnestedvirtualmachinesinsideanESX
guest.Thesevirtualmachinescanonlybeconfiguredtousebinarytranslation.
VMwareToolsarenotavailableforESX4.0orESXi4.0guests.Donotinstallthe
LinuxversionofVMwareToolsinanESXguest.
ForinstructionsonhowtosetthevirtualEthernetadapteronaLinuxhosttorun
inpromiscuousmode,seetheVMwareknowledgebasearticle287availableonthe
VMwareWebsite.
FormoreinformationonhowtoconfigureESX4.0andESXi4.0,seetheVMware
vSpheredocumentationsetavailableontheVMwareWebsite.
Respond to Easy Install Prompts

Usuallyyouarenotpromptedforinputduringoperatingsysteminstallationiftheeasy
installfeatureruns.If,however,youdidnotenteralltheeasyinstallinformationinthe
NewVirtualMachinewizard,youmightbepromptedforaproductkey,username,or
password.
Also,iftheoperatingsysteminstallationdiscorimagespansmultipleCDs,DVDs,or
imagefiles,youmightbepromptedwhentheinstallerrequiresthenextdisk.
To respond to easy install prompts
1
90
Ifyouarepromptedtosupplyaproductkey,username,orpassword,dothe
following:
a
Clickinthevirtualmachinewindowtoallowmouseandkeyboardinputto
begrabbedbythevirtualmachine.
Typeintherequiredinformation.
VMware, Inc.
IfyouareusingCDsorDVDsandarepromptedtoinsertthenextCDorDVD,use
theCDorDVDdriveattachedtothehost.
Ifyouareusingimagefilesandarepromptedtoinsertthenextdisc,dothe
following:
OnWindowshosts,clickChangeDisk,browsetotheimagefileforthenext
CD,andclickOK.
OnLinuxhosts,fromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseVM>Removable
Devices>CD/DVD,browsetotheimagefileforthenextCD,checkthe
Connectedoption,andclickSave.
Install a Guest Operating System Manually

Youmustinstallanoperatingsystemmanuallyifyoudidnotorwerenotabletouse
theeasyinstallfeaturewhencompletingtheNewVirtualMachinewizard.
Beforeyoubegin,usethefollowingdocumentstodetermineadditionalrequirements
forthespecificoperatingsystemandversionyouplantoinstall:
Forguestoperatingsystemsupport,knownissues,andinstallationinstructions,
seetheonlineVMwareCompatibilityGuide.GototheVMwareWebsiteandselect
Resources>CompatibilityGuides,andclicktheViewtheGuest/HostOStabon
theVMwareCompatibilityGuideWebsitelink.
ForinformationaboutinstallingaLinuxoperatingsystemthathasaVMwareVMI
(VirtualMachineInterface)enabledkernelintheguestoperatingsystem,seeUse
aParavirtualizedKernelinLinuxGuestsonpage 93.
Anewvirtualmachineislikeaphysicalcomputerwithablankharddisk.Beforeyou
canuseit,youneedtopartitionandformatthevirtualdiskandinstallanoperating
system.Theoperatingsystemsinstallationprogrammighthandlethepartitioningand
formattingstepsforyou.
Installingaguestoperatingsysteminsideavirtualmachineisessentiallythesameas
installingitonaphysicalcomputer.
NOTEWorkstationsupports64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyinWorkstation 5.5
andhigher,andonlyonhostmachineswithsupportedprocessors.Forthelistof
processorsWorkstationsupportsfor64bitguestoperatingsystems,seePC
Hardwareonpage 23.
VMware, Inc.
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To install a guest operating system manually

1
StartWorkstation.
Dooneofthefollowingsothatthevirtualmachinecanaccesstheinstallation
mediafortheguestoperatingsystem:
ForaCDorDVD,ifnecessary,configurethevirtualmachinetousethehosts
CDROM/DVDdrive,andinserttheoperatingsystemmediainthedrive.
Insomehostconfigurations,thevirtualmachinecannotbootfromthe
installationCDROM.YoucanworkaroundthatproblembycreatinganISO
imagefilefromtheinstallationCDROM.Usethevirtualmachinesettings
editor(chooseVM>Settings)toconnectthevirtualmachinesCDdrivetothe
ISOimagefile,andpoweronthevirtualmachine.
ForanISOimage,connecttheCDROMdrivetoanISOimagefileofan
installationdisk.
TouseaPXEservertoinstalltheguestoperatingsystemoveranetwork
connection,youdonotneedtheoperatingsysteminstallationmedia.Whenyou
poweronthevirtualmachine,thevirtualmachinedetectsthePXEserver.
3
ClickthePowerOnbutton.
Followtheinstructionsprovidedbytheoperatingsystemvendor.
IftheoperatingsystemspansseveralCDs,followthesestepswhenyouare
promptedtoinsertthesecondCD:
a
DisconnectfromthecurrentimagebychoosingVM>RemovableDevices>
CDROM>Disconnect.
EdittheCDsettingsbychoosingVM>RemovableDevices>CDROM>
Edit.
ForUseISOimagefile,clickBrowse,andselecttheISOimageforthesecond
CD.
IntheDeviceStatusarea,selecttheConnectedcheckboxandclickOK.
Intheguestoperatingsystem,clickOKorrespondtothepromptsothat
installationcancontinue.
RepeatthisprocessforadditionalCDs.
Aftertheguestoperatingsystemisinstalled,youcanusethestandardtoolswithinthe
operatingsystemtoconfigureitssettings.VMwarerecommendsthatyouinstall
VMwareToolsbeforeyouactivatethelicensefortheoperatingsystem.SeeInstalling
VMwareToolsonpage 104.
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VMware, Inc.
Use a Paravirtualized Kernel in Linux Guests

Since2005,VMwarehasbeencollaboratingwiththeLinuxcommunitytodevelopa
commonparavirtualizationinterface.In2006,VMwarereleaseditsVMIspecificationas
anopenspecification.ItallowsVMwarevirtualmachinestosupportvarious
paravirtualizedoperatingsystemsfrompopularLinuxdistributions.
Beforeyoubegin,obtaininstallationmedia(CDorISOimage)fortheoperatingsystem.
Paravirtualizedkernelsupportisavailablefor32bitversionsofUbuntu7.04,7.10,or
8.04andSUSELinuxEnterpriseServer10SP2.
The64bitversionofSUSELinuxEnterpriseServer10SP2alreadycontains
paravirtualization.YoudonotneedtouseaWorkstationsettingtoenableit.
Formoreinformationaboutparavirtualizationingeneral,seethefollowingVMware
Websiteat:
http://www.vmware.com/interfaces/paravirtualization.html
IfyouhaveaVMwareVMI(VirtualMachineInterface)enabledkernelintheguest
operatingsystem,youwillseeimprovedperformanceifyouenableparavirtual
supportinthevirtualmachine.
To use a paravirtualized kernel in Linux guests
1
UsetheNewVirtualMachinewizardtocreatevirtualmachineforoneofthe
supported32bitguestoperatingsystems.
Afteryoufinishcreatingthevirtualmachine,enableparavirtualkernelsupport,as
follows:
VMware, Inc.
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectProcessors,andintheExecutionModesection,
selecttheVMwarekernelparavirtualizationcheckbox.
93
Upgrade a Guest Operating System

WhenyouusetheNewVirtualMachinewizardtocreateavirtualmachine,oneofthe
settingsyouspecifyistheguestoperatingsystemtypeandversion.Workstation
choosesconfigurationdefaultsbasedontheguesttypeandversionyouchoose.
Ifyouupgradeaguestoperatingsystemtoanewerversion,alsoupdatetheguest
operatingsystemversionforthevirtualmachine.
To upgrade a guest operating system
1
StartWorkstationandselectthevirtualmachine.
Makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredoff.
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstab.
OntheGeneralsettingspanel,intheVersionfield,selecttheversiontowhichyou
plantoupgradeandclickOK.
Thesettingyouspecifyhereiswrittentothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.
Thissettingdoesnotactuallychangetheguestoperatingsystemitself.
Poweronthevirtualmachine.
Toupgradetheguestoperatingsystem,followtheupgradeinstructionsprovided
bytheoperatingsystemvendor.
Change the Version of a Virtual Machine

IfyoucreatedvirtualmachineswithanearlierversionofWorkstation,youmust
upgradetothelatestversiontousethenewestfeatures.Forinformationaboutnew
features,seethereleasenotes.
IfyoucreatedWorkstation6.5or7.0virtualmachinesandyouwanttodeploythose
virtualmachinestorunonadifferentVMwareproduct,youmightneedtodowngrade
toaversionthatiscompatiblewiththatproduct.
UsingWorkstation7.0,youcandowngradetoversions4,5.x,6,or6.5.
Youcanalsodeterminewhichvirtualhardwareversiontouse.
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VMware, Inc.
Considerthefollowingwhenchangingthevirtualhardwareversionofavirtual
machine:
ForWorkstation4,5.x,6,6.5and7.0virtualmachines,youcanchangetheversion
oftheoriginalvirtualmachineorcreateafullclone,sothattheoriginalremains
unaltered.ForWorkstation4virtualmachines,Workstationchangestheoriginal
virtualmachine.
IfyouupgradeaWorkstation4or5.xvirtualmachinethatiscompatiblewith
ESX ServertoWorkstation6,6.5,or7.0youcannotusetheChangeVersionwizard
tolaterdowngradeitagaintoanESXcompatiblevirtualmachine.
OnWindowshosts,however,youcanusetheConversionwizard(chooseFile>
Import)toperformsuchadowngrade.
WhenyouupgradeaWindowsXP,WindowsServer2003,WindowsVista,or
Windows7virtualmachine,theMicrosoftproductactivationfeaturemight
requireyoutoreactivatetheguestoperatingsystem.
To change the version of a virtual machine

1
Makebackupcopiesofthevirtualdisks(.vmdkfiles).
IfyouareupgradingfromaWorkstation4or5.xvirtualmachine,ordowngrading
toaWorkstation4or5.xvirtualmachine,makeanoteoftheNICsettingsinthe
guest.
Specifically,ifyouspecifiedastaticIPaddressforthisvirtualmachine,afterthe
upgrade,thatsettingmightbechangedtoautomaticassignmentbyDHCP.
TochecktheNICsettings,usethemethodappropriateforyouroperatingsystem.
Forexample,onWindowsXP,youcanusetheControlPanelsNetwork
ConnectionsitemtofindinformationabouttheTCP/IPaddressforthevirtual
machine.
Shutdowntheguestoperatingsystemandpoweroffthevirtualmachine.
SelectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>Upgrade or Change Version.
Followtheprompts.
Whenyouselectahardwarecompatibilityversion,youseealistoftheVMware
productsthatarecompatiblewiththatversion.IfyouselectWorkstation4,5,or6
youalsoseealistofWorkstation6.5and7.0featuresthatarenotsupportedforthat
version.
VMware, Inc.
95
IfyouupgradeavirtualmachinethatcontainsaWindows98operatingsystemto
aWorkstation6.5or7.0virtualmachine,youarepromptedtoinstallaPCIPCI
bridgedriverwhenyoupoweronthevirtualmachine.BecauseWorkstation6.5
and7.0has32morePCIPCIbridgesthanWorkstation6,youmightneedto
respondtotheprompt32or33times.
Ifapplicable,intheguestoperatingsystem,checktheNICsettingsandadjustthem
iftheychanged,asdescribedinStep 2.
IfthevirtualmachinedoesnothavethelatestversionofVMwareToolsinstalled,
updateVMwareTools.
Evenif,forexample,youupgradedaWorkstation5.xvirtualmachineto
Workstation6.xratherthan7.0,besuretoupdateVMwareToolstotheversion
includedwithWorkstation7.0.SeeVMwareToolsUpdateProcessonpage 115.
DonotremovetheolderversionofVMwareToolsbeforeinstallingthenew
version.
Ifyouareupgradingavirtualmachinethatrunsfromaphysical(raw)disk,you
cansafelyignorethemessage,Unable to upgrade <drive_name>. One of the
supplied parameters is invalid.ClickOK.
Using an Older-Version Virtual Machine Without

Upgrading
Youmightnotwanttoupgradeavirtualmachinebecauseyouwantittoremain
compatiblewithotherVMwareproductsyouareusing.Followingisabriefsummary
ofVMwareproductversioncompatibility.
96
Version of Workstation
Compatible VMware Products
4.x
ACE 1.x,2.0,2.5,and2.6,ESX4.0,VMware Fusion 1.1,2.0,and3.0,

GSXServer 3.x,VMware Server 1.xand2.0,andWorkstation4.x,
5.x,6.x,and7.0
5.x
ACE 2.0,2.5,and2.6,ESX4.0,VMware Fusion 1.1,2.0,and3.0,GSX

Server 3.x,VMware Server 1.xand2.0,andWorkstation5.x,6.x,
and7.0
6.x
ACE 2.0,2.5,and2.6,ESX4.0,VMware Fusion 1.1,2.0,and3.0,

VMware Server 2.0,andWorkstation6.0,6.5,and7.0
7.0
ACE 2.5and2.6,ESX4.0,VMware Fusion 2.0and3.0,

VMware Server 1.xand2.0,andWorkstation6.5and7.0
VMware, Inc.
YoucanrunolderversionsofvirtualmachinesinWorkstation7.0,butyouwillnothave
thebenefitsofthenewfeaturesofWorkstation7.0.
FormoreinformationaboutcompatibilitybetweenVMwareproducts,seethe
VMware VirtualMachineMobilityPlanningGuide.
Ifyoudecidenottoupgradeavirtualmachine,youstillneedtoupgradeVMwareTools
tothenewversion.Followtheinstructionsforyourguestoperatingsystemin
VMwareToolsUpdateProcessonpage 115.Donotremovetheolderversionof
VMwareToolsbeforeinstallingthenewversion.
Files That Make Up a Virtual Machine

Youmightneverneedtoknowthefilenamesorlocationsforyourvirtualmachinefiles.
VirtualmachinefilemanagementisperformedbyWorkstation.
Avirtualmachinetypicallyisstoredonthehostcomputerinasetoffiles,usuallyina
directorycreatedbyWorkstationforthatspecificvirtualmachine.SeeVirtual
MachineLocationonpage 83.
ThekeyfilesarelistedinTable 41byextension.Intheseexamples,<vmname>isthe
nameofyourvirtualmachine.
Table 4-1. Virtual Machine Files
Extension
.log
File Name
Description
<vmname>.log
ThelogfileofkeyWorkstationactivity.Thisfileis
usefulfortroubleshooting.Thisfileisstoredinthe
directorythatholdstheconfiguration(.vmx)fileof
thevirtualmachine.
or
vmware.log
.nvram
<vmname>.nvram
or
TheNVRAMfile,whichstoresthestateofthevirtual
machinesBIOS.
nvram
VMware, Inc.
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Table 4-1. Virtual Machine Files (Continued)

Extension
File Name
Description
.vmdk
<vmname>.vmdk
VMDKfiles,whichstorethecontentsofthevirtual
machinesharddiskdrive.
Avirtualdiskismadeupofoneormorevirtualdisk
(.vmdk)files.Thevirtualmachinesettingseditor
showsthenameofthefirstfileintheset.Thisfile
containspointerstotheotherfilesintheset.
(Ifyouspecifythatallspaceshouldbeallocated
whenyoucreatethedisk,thesefilesstartatthe
maximumsizeanddonotgrow.)Almostallofa
.vmdkfilescontentisthevirtualmachinesdata,
withasmallportionallottedtovirtualmachine
overhead.
Ifthevirtualmachineisconnecteddirectlytoa
physicaldisk,the.vmdkfilestoresinformationabout
thepartitionsthevirtualmachineisallowedto
access.
EarlierVMwareproductsusedtheextension.dsk
forvirtualdiskfiles.
<vmname>-s<###>.vmdk
Ifyouspecifiedthatthefilescangrow,thefilenames
includeansinthefilenumber(forexample,
Windows XP Professional-s001.vmdk).
Ifyouspecifiedthatthevirtualdiskissplitinto2GB
chunks,thenumberof.vmdkfilesdependsonthe
sizeofthevirtualdisk.Asdataisaddedtoavirtual
disk,the.vmdk filesgrow,toamaximumof2GB
each.
.vmem
98
<vmname>-f<###>.vmdk
Ifthediskspacewasallocatedwhenthediskwas
created,thenamesincludeanfinsteadofans(for
example,Windows XP Professional-f001.vmdk).
<vmname>-<disk>-<###>.vmdk
Ifthevirtualmachinehasoneormoresnapshots,
somefilesareredologfiles.Theystorechanges
madetoavirtualdiskwhilethevirtualmachineis
running.The###indicatesauniquesuffixaddedby
Workstationtoavoidduplicatefilenames.
<uuid>.vmem
Thevirtualmachinespagingfile,whichbacksup
theguestmainmemoryonthehostfilesystem.This
fileexistsonlywhenthevirtualmachineisrunning
orifthevirtualmachinefails.
<snapshot_name_number>.vmem
Eachsnapshotofavirtualmachinethatispowered
onhasanassociated.vmemfile,whichcontainsthe
guestsmainmemory,savedaspartofthesnapshot.
VMware, Inc.
Table 4-1. Virtual Machine Files (Continued)

Extension
File Name
Description
.vmsd
<vmname>.vmsd
Acentralizedfileforstoringinformationand
metadataaboutsnapshots.
.vmsn
<vmname>-Snapshot.vmsn
Thesnapshotstatefile,whichstorestherunning
stateofavirtualmachineatthetimeyoutakethat
snapshot.
<vmname>-Snapshot<###>.vmsn
Thefilethatstoresthestateofasnapshot.
<vmname>.vmss
Thesuspendedstatefile,whichstoresthestateofa
suspendedvirtualmachine.
.vmss
SomeearlierVMwareproductsusedtheextension
.stdforsuspendedstatefiles.
.vmtm
<vmname>.vmtm
Theconfigurationfilecontainingteamdata.
.vmx
<vmname>.vmx
Theprimaryconfigurationfile,whichstoressettings
chosenintheNewVirtualMachinewizardorvirtual
machinesettingseditor.Ifyoucreatedthevirtual
machinewithanearlierversionofWorkstationona
Linuxhost,thisfilemighthavea.cfgextension.
.vmxf
<vmname>.vmxf
Asupplementalconfigurationfileforvirtual
machinesthatareinateam.This.vmxffileremains
ifavirtualmachineisremovedfromtheteam.
Otherfilesmightbepresentinthedirectory.Somearepresentonlywhileavirtual
machineisrunning.SeeLockFilesonpage 236.
VMware, Inc.
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100
VMware, Inc.
Installing and Using

VMware Tools
Thischapterdiscusseshowtoinstall,update,andrunVMwareTools.Thischapter
includesthefollowingtopics:
ComponentsofVMwareToolsonpage 101
InstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104
VMwareToolsUpdateProcessonpage 115
UninstallVMwareToolsonpage 118
RepairorChangeInstalledModulesinaWindowsGuestonpage 118
OpentheVMwareToolsControlPanelonpage 119
ConfigureVMwareToolsinaNetWareGuestonpage 123
CustomizationstoVMwareToolsonpage 125
UsetheVMwareToolsServiceCommandLineInterfaceonpage 132
Components of VMware Tools

VMwareToolsisasuiteofutilitiesthatenhancestheperformanceofthevirtual
machinesguestoperatingsystemandimprovesmanagementofthevirtualmachine.
AlthoughtheguestoperatingsystemcanrunwithoutVMwareTools,youlose
importantfunctionalityandconvenience.
VMwareToolsincludesthefollowingcomponents:
VMwareToolsservice
VMwaredevicedrivers
VMwareuserprocess
VMwareToolscontrolpanel
VMware, Inc.
101
VMware Tools Service

Theprogramfileiscalledvmtoolsd.exeonWindowsguestoperatingsystemsand
vmtoolsdonLinux,FreeBSD,andSolarisguests.
Thisservicestartswhentheguestoperatingsystembootsandperformsvariousduties
withintheguestoperatingsystem:
Passesmessagesfromthehostoperatingsystemtotheguestoperatingsystem.
Executescommandsintheoperatingsystemtocleanlyshutdownorrestarta
Linux,FreeBSD,orSolarissystemwhenyouselectpoweroperationsin
Workstation.
OnWindowsguests,allowsthemousecursortomovefreelybetweentheguest
andhostoperatingsystems.
OnWindowsguests,matchestheguestsscreenresolutiontothehostsscreen
resolutionandthereverse.
Synchronizesthetimeintheguestoperatingsystemwiththetimeinthehost
operatingsystem.
Runsscriptsthathelpautomateguestoperatingsystemoperations.Thescriptsrun
whenthevirtualmachinespowerstatechanges.
TheVMwareToolsserviceisnotinstalledonNetWareoperatingsystems.Instead,the
vmwtoolprogramisinstalled.ItsynchronizestimeandallowsyoutoturntheCPU
idleronoroff.
VMware Device Drivers

Thesedevicedriversinclude:
102
SVGAdisplaydriverthatprovideshighdisplayresolutionandsignificantlyfaster
overallgraphicsperformance.
Anaudiodriverthatisrequiredforall64bitWindowsguestsand32bitWindows
Server2003,WindowsServer2008,WindowsVista,andWindows7guests.
VMXNetnetworkingdriversforsomeguestoperatingsystems.
BusLogicSCSIdriverforsomeguestoperatingsystems.
VMwaremousedriver.
Akernelmoduleforhandlingsharedfolders,calledhgfs.sysonWindowsand
.vmhgfsonLinuxandSolaris.
VMware, Inc.
Chapter 5 Installing and Using VMware Tools
TheVirtualMachineCommunicationInterface(VMCI)driverforcreating
clientserverapplicationsthatareoptimizedforfastandefficientcommunication
betweenvirtualmachines.
AparavirtualSCSIdriverforPVSCSIadapters,whichenhancetheperformanceof
somevirtualizedapplications.
VMware User Process

TheprogramfileiscalledVMwareUser.exeonWindowsguestsandvmware-useron
Linux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests.OnNetWareguests,thevmwtoolprogramis
installedinsteadofvmware-user.
TheVMwareuserprocessperformsthefollowingtaskswithintheguestoperating
system:
Letsyoucopyandpastetextandfilesbetweenhostoperatingsystemsand
Windows,Linux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguestoperatingsystems.
LetsyoudraganddropfilesbetweenhostoperatingsystemsandWindows,Linux,
Solaris,andFreeBSDguestoperatingsystems.
LetsyouusetheUnityfeaturewithWindowsandLinuxguests.
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests,grabsandreleasesthemousecursorwhen
theSVGAdriverisnotinstalled.
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests,matchestheguestsscreenresolutiontothe
hosts.
ThisprocessstartswhenyoubeginanX11session.Touseadifferentmechanismto
starttheprocess,seeStarttheVMwareUserProcessManuallyIfYouDoNotUsea
SessionManageronpage 114.
OnNetWareoperatingsystems,thevmwtoolprogramcontrolsthegrabbingand
releasingofthemousecursor.Italsoletsyoucopyandpastetext.Youcannotdragand
droporcopyandpastefilesbetweenhostsandNetWareguestoperatingsystems.
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VMware Tools Control Panel

TheVMwareToolscontrolpanelletsyoumodifysettings,shrinkvirtualdisks,and
connectanddisconnectvirtualdevices.SeeOpentheVMwareToolsControlPanel
onpage 119.
Installing VMware Tools

TheinstallersforVMwareToolsarestoredwithWorkstationasISOimagefiles.
WorkstationdownloadsthemostrecentversionofthesefilesfromaVMwareWebsite.
WhenyouselectVM>InstallVMwareTools,Workstationdetermineswhetherithas
downloadedthemostrecentversionoftheISOfileforthespecificoperatingsystem.If
Workstationdoesnothavethemostrecentversion,orifWorkstationhasnever
downloadedanimagefileforthatoperatingsystem,youarepromptedtodownload
thefile.
WhenWorkstationhasthemostrecentversionoftheISOimagefile,Workstation
temporarilyconnectsthevirtualmachinesfirstvirtualCDROMdrivetothecorrect
ISOimagefile.
Theinstallationprocedurevariesdependingontheoperatingsystem:
InstallVMwareToolsinaWindowsGuestonpage 104
InstallVMwareToolsinaLinuxGuestonpage 109
InstallVMwareToolsinaSolarisGuestonpage 111
InstallVMwareToolsinaFreeBSDGuestonpage 112
InstallVMwareToolsinaNetWareGuestonpage 113
Install VMware Tools in a Windows Guest

VMwareToolsissupportedonallWindowsguestoperatingsystems.Beforeyouuse
themenucommandtoinstallVMwareTools,performthefollowingtasks,asnecessary:
104
Makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredon.
IfyouarerunningWorkstationonaWindowshostandyourvirtualmachinehas
onlyoneCDROMdrive,makesuretheCDROMdriveisconfiguredasanIDEor
SCSICDROMdrive.ItcannotbeconfiguredasagenericSCSIdevice.Ifnecessary,
addanIDEorSCSICDROMdrivetothevirtualmachine.SeeAdding
DVD/CDROMandFloppyDrivestoaVirtualMachineonpage 250.
VMware, Inc.
MakesurethevirtualCDROMdriveisconfiguredtoautodetectaphysicaldrive.
ThistaskisnecessaryifyouconnectedthevirtualmachinesCDdrivetoanISO
imagefilewhenyouinstalledtheoperatingsystem.Changetheconnectionfrom
theISOimagetoautodetectaphysicaldrive.(Withthevirtualmachinepowered
off,chooseVM>Settings>CD/DVD>UsePhysicalDrive>Autodetect.)
IftheguestoperatingsystemisaWindowsNT,Windows2000,WindowsXP,
WindowsServer2003,WindowsVista,orWindow7operatingsystem,loginasan
administrator.AnyusercaninstallVMwareToolsinaWindows 95,Windows98,
orWindowsMeguestoperatingsystem.
To install VMware Tools

1
Onthehost,fromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseVM>InstallVMwareTools.
IfanearlierversionofVMwareToolsisinstalled,themenuitemis
Update VMwareTools.
DependingonwhetherAutorunisenabled,oneofthefollowingoccursinsidethe
guestoperatingsystem:
IfAutorunisenabledintheguestoperatingsystem,adialogboxappearsafter
afewseconds.Youreceiveaprompttoconfirmwhetheryouwanttoinstall
VMwareTools.
IfAutorunisnotenabled,thedialogboxdoesnotappearautomatically.
Click Start>RunandenterD:\setup\setup.exewhereD:isyourfirst
virtualCDROMdrive.
ClickYestolaunchtheInstallShieldwizard.
Followtheonscreeninstructions.
OnsomeWindowsoperatingsystems,aftertheSVGAdriverisinstalled,youare
promptedtoreboottousethisnewdriver.
Rebootthevirtualmachineifnecessary.
Tochangethedefaultconfigurationoptions,seeOpentheVMwareToolsControl
Panelonpage 119.
Configure the Video Driver on Older Versions of Windows

IfyouareinstallingVMwareToolsinavirtualmachinethathasaWindowsNT,
WindowsMe,Windows98,orWindows95operatingsystem,youmightneedto
configurethevideodrivermanually.WhenyouclickFinishintheVMwareTools
installationwizard,amessageappearsindicatingthatVMwareToolsfailedtoinstall
theSVGAdriver.
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105
ANotebookwindow,theDisplayProperties/Settingsdialogbox,andamessagebox
appear,promptingyoutorebootthemachine.
To configure the video driver on older versions of Windows
1
Inthemessageboxthatpromptsyoutoreboot,clickNo.
IfyouclickYes,afterthevirtualmachinereboots,runtheVMwareToolsinstaller
again(chooseVM>ReinstallVMwareTools).SelecttheRepairoption.
The RepairoptionallowstheNotebookwindowtoappearagainsothatthe
installercanaccesstheSVGAdriver.
FollowtheinstructionsintheNotebookfile.
Theinstructionsarespecifictoeachoperatingsystem.Theyprovidestepsfor
selectingtheVMwareSVGAdriver,usuallyintheDisplayProperties/Settings
dialogbox,andinstallingitfromtheVMwareToolsISOimage.
TheEnglishversionoftheinstructionsfromtheNotebookfilearereprintedin
KnowledgeBasearticle1001819attheVMwareWebsite.
Automate the Installation of VMware Tools in a Windows Guest

IfyouareinstallingVMwareToolsinanumberofWindowsvirtualmachines,youcan
automateitsinstallation.ThissilentinstallationfeatureusestheMicrosoftWindows
Installerruntimeengine.
MakesuretheMicrosoftWindowsInstallerruntimeengineversion2.0orhigheris
installedintheguestoperatingsystem.
Version2.0orhigherisincludedwithnewerversionsofWindows.Ifyouareinstalling
VMwareToolsinolderWindowsguestoperatingsystems,checktheversionofthe
%WINDIR%\system32\msiexec.exefile.
Ifthefileversionisnot2.0orhigher,upgradetheenginebyrunninginstmsiw.exe
(instmsia.exeforWindows95orWindows98guests),whichisincludedwiththe
VMwareToolsinstaller.
FormoreinformationaboutusingtheMicrosoftWindowsInstaller,including
commandlineoptions,gototheWindowsInstallerpageontheMSDNWebsite.
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VMware, Inc.
To automate the installation of VMware Tools in a Windows guest

1
MakesurethevirtualmachinesCDROMdriveisconnectedtotheVMwareTools
ISOimageandthatitisconfiguredtoconnectwheneveryoupoweronthevirtual
machine:
a
SelectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>Settings>Hardware>CDROM.
IntheDevicestatussection,selecttheConnectatPowerOncheckbox.
IntheConnectionsection,selectUseISOimageandbrowsetothe
windows.isofile,locatedinthedirectorywhereyouinstalledWorkstation.
ClickOK.
(Optional)Intheguestoperatingsystem,suppresspromptsaboutinstalling
unsigneddrivers.
IfyouareinstallingVMwareToolsfromabetaorreleasecandidateversionof
Workstation,youareaskedtoconfirmtheinstallationofunsigneddrivers.Follow
thesestepstosuppresstheseconfirmationprompts.
ForallWindowssystemsexceptWindowsVistaandWindows7:
a
OnthevirtualmachinesdesktoporStartmenu,rightclickMyComputerand
chooseProperties.
ClicktheHardwaretabandclickDriverSigning.
IntheDriverSigningOptionsdialogbox,clickIgnoreandclickOK.
ClickOKintheSystemPropertiesdialogbox.
ForWindowsVista:
VMware, Inc.
OntheStartmenu,rightclickComputerandchooseProperties.
SelectAdvancedsystemsettings>Hardware>WindowsUpdateDriver
Settings.
ClickNevercheckfordriverswhenIconnectadeviceandclickOK.
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ForWindows7:
OntheStartmenu,rightclickComputerandchooseProperties.
SelectAdvancedsystemsettings>Hardware>DeviceInstallationSettings
>No,letmechoosewhattodo>Neverinstalldriversoftwarefrom
WindowsUpdate.
ClickSaveChanges.
Openacommandpromptandusethefollowingcommandtoinstallsomeorallof
theVMwareToolscomponents:
msiexec -i "D:\VMware Tools.msi" ADDLOCAL=ALL [REMOVE=<component>] /qn
TRANSFORMS= <path>\1041.msi
Inthiscommand,youcanoptionallyuse REMOVE=<component>ifyoudonot
wanttoinstallaparticularcomponent.
Table 5-1. VMware Tools Component Values
Valid Component
Values
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Description
Toolbox
VMwareToolscontrolpanelanditsutilities.Excludingthisfeature
preventsyoufromusingVMwareToolsintheguestoperating
system.VMwaredoesnotrecommendexcludingthisfeature.
Drivers
IncludestheSVGA,mouse,BusLogic,andvmxnetdrivers.
SVGAVMwareSVGAdriver.Excludingthisfeaturelimitsthe
displaycapabilitiesofyourvirtualmachine.
MouseVMwaremousedriver.Excludingthisfeature
decreasesmouseperformanceinyourvirtualmachine.
BuslogicVMwareBusLogicdriver.Ifyourvirtualmachineis
configuredtousetheLSILogicdriver,youmightwantto
removethisfeature.
VMXNetVMwareVMXnetnetworkingdriver.
MemCtl
VMwarememorycontroldriver.Usethisdriverifyouplantouse
thisvirtualmachinewithVMwareESXServer.Excludingthis
featurehindersthememorymanagementcapabilitiesofthevirtual
machinerunningonaVMwareESXServersystem.
Hgfs
VMwaresharedfoldersdriver.Usethisdriverifyouplantousethis
virtualmachinewithVMwareWorkstation.Excludingthisfeature
preventsyoufromsharingafolderbetweenyourvirtualmachine
andtheWorkstationhost.
VMware, Inc.
Forexample,toinstalleverythingbutthesharedfoldersdriver,typethefollowing
onthecommandline:
msiexec -i "D:\VMware Tools.msi" ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Hgfs /qn
TheSVGA,Mouse,BusLogic,VMXnet,andMemCtlfeaturesarechildrenofthe
Driversfeature.Thismeansthatthefollowingcommandskipsinstallationofthe
SVGA,mouse,BusLogic,vmxnet,andMemCtldrivers:
msiexec -i "D:\VMware Tools.msi" ADDLOCAL=ALL REMOVE=Drivers /qn
Toincludeafeature,useitwiththeADDLOCALoption.Toexcludeafeature,useit
withtheREMOVEoption.
Install VMware Tools in a Linux Guest

Beforeyoubegin,makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredonandtheguestoperating
systemisrunning.
To install VMware Tools in a Linux guest
1
Onthehost,selectVM>InstallVMwareTools.
IfanearlierversionofVMwareToolsisinstalled,themenuitemisUpdate
VMwareTools.Ifthecurrentversionisinstalled,themenuitemisReinstall
VMwareTools.
Ontheguest,loginasroot.
IfyourLinuxdistributiondoesnotautomaticallymountCDROMs,mountthe
VMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimage.
a
Ifnecessary,createthe/mnt/cdromdirectory:
mkdir /mnt/cdrom
MounttheCDROMdrive.
SomeLinuxdistributionsusedifferentdevicenamesororganizethe/dev
directorydifferently.IfyourCDROMdriveisnot/dev/cdromorifthemount
pointforaCDROMisnot/mnt/cdrom,modifythecommandtoreflectthe
conventionsusedbyyourdistribution.
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
Changetoaworkingdirectory(forexample,/tmp):
cd /tmp
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109
Ifapreviousinstallationexists,deletethepreviousvmware-tools-distrib
directory.
Thelocationofthisdirectorydependsonwhereyouplaceditduringtheprevious
installation.Oftenitisplacedin/tmp/vmware-tools-distrib.
Uncompresstheinstaller:
tar zxpf /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-<x.x.x>-<yyyy>.tar.gz
Thevalue<x.x.x>istheproductversionnumberand<yyyy>isthebuildnumber
oftheproductrelease.
7
Ifnecessary,unmounttheCDROMimage.
IfyourLinuxdistributionautomaticallymountedtheCDROM,youdonotneed
tounmounttheimage.
umount /dev/cdrom
RuntheVMwareToolsinstaller.
cd vmware-tools-distrib
./vmware-install.pl
Respondtothequestionsthecommandlinewizarddisplaysonthescreen.Press
Entertoacceptthedefaultvalue.Theconfigurationfile,
vmware-config-tools.pl,runsaftertheinstallerfilefinishesrunning.
9
IfyouareupdatingVMwareTools,rebootthevirtualmachineormanuallyreload
thepvscsi,vmxnet,andvmxnet3Linuxkernelmodules.
Ifyoureloadthemodules,networkingonthevirtualmachineisinterrupted.
10
Enterthefollowingcommandstorestorethenetwork:
/etc/init.d/network stop
rmmod vmxnet
modprobe vmxnet
/etc/init.d/network start
11
Logoutoftherootaccount.
exit
12
(Optional)Startyourgraphicalenvironment.
13
InanXterminal,tostarttheVMwareUserprocess,enterthefollowingcommand:
vmware-user
TochangethedefaultVMwareToolsconfigurationoptions,seeOpentheVMware
ToolsControlPanelonpage 119.
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VMware, Inc.
Install VMware Tools in a Solaris Guest

systemisrunning.
To install VMware Tools in a Solaris guest
1
VMwareTools.
Ifnecessary,mounttheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimage.
Usually,theSolarisvolumemanagervoldmountstheCDROMunder
/cdrom/vmwaretools.IftheCDROMisnotmounted,restartthevolume
managerusingthefollowingcommands:
/etc/init.d/volmgt stop
/etc/init.d/volmgt start
cd /tmp
ExtractVMwareTools:
gunzip -c /cdrom/vmwaretools/vmware-solaris-tools.tar.gz | tar xf -
RuntheVMwareToolsinstaller:
./vmware-install.pl
Respondtotheconfigurationprompts.PressEntertoacceptthedefaultvalue.
7
Logoutoftherootaccount:
exit
vmware-user
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111
Install VMware Tools in a FreeBSD Guest

systemisrunning.
To install VMware Tools in a FreeBSD guest
1
VMwareTools.
Makesuretheguestoperatingsystemisrunningintextmode.
YoucannotinstallVMwareToolswhileXisrunning.
Ifnecessary,mounttheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimagebyenteringa
commandsimilartothefollowing:
mount /cdrom
SomeFreeBSDdistributionsautomaticallymountCDROMs.Ifyourdistribution
usesautomounting,skipthisstep.
5
cd /tmp
UntartheVMwareToolstarfile:
tar zxpf /cdrom/vmware-freebsd-tools.tar.gz
Ifnecessary,unmounttheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimage:
umount /cdrom
Ifyourdistributionusesautomounting,youdonotneedtounmounttheimage.
8
RuntheVMwareToolsinstaller:
./vmware-install.pl
exit
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VMware, Inc.
10
11
vmware-user
InminimalinstallationsoftheFreeBSD4.5guestoperatingsystem,sometimes
VMwareToolsdoesnotstart.
Install VMware Tools in a NetWare Guest

systemisrunning.
To install VMware Tools in a NetWare guest
1
VMwareTools.
Ontheguest,loadtheCDROMdriversotheCDROMdevicemountsthe
ISO imageasavolumebydoingoneofthefollowing:
ForaNetWare6.5virtualmachineinthesystemconsole,enter:
LOAD CDDVD
ForaNetWare6.0orNetWare5.1virtualmachine,inthesystemconsole,
enter:
LOAD CD9660.NSS
ForaNetWare4.2virtualmachine,inthesystemconsole,enter:
load cdrom
MounttheVMwareToolsCDROMimagebyentering:
cd mount vmwtools
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Inthesystemconsole,enteroneofthefollowing:
ForNetWare5.1,6.0,or6.5:
vmwtools:\setup.ncf
ForNetWare4.2:
vmwtools:\setup
Whentheinstallationfinishes,themessageVMware Tools for NetWare are now

runningappearsintheLoggerScreen(NetWare6.5andNetWare6.0guests)orthe
ConsoleScreen(NetWare4.2and5.1guests).
4
IfyouhaveaNetWare4.2guest,restarttheguestoperatingsystem,asfollows:
a
Toshutdownthesystem,inthesystemconsole,enter:
down
Torestarttheguestoperatingsystem,inthesystemconsole,enter:
restart server
MakesuretheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimage(netware.iso)isnot
attachedtothevirtualmachine.
Ifitisattached,disconnectit.RightclicktheCDROMiconinthestatusbarofthe
consolewindowandchooseDisconnect.
Start the VMware User Process Manually If You Do Not Use a

Session Manager
OneoftheexecutablesusedbyVMwareToolsinLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguestsis
vmware-user.This programimplementsthefitguesttowindowfeatureandUnity
mode,amongotherfeatures.
Normally,vmware-userisstartedautomaticallyafteryouconfigureVMwareTools
andthenlogoutofthedesktopenvironmentandlogbackin.Youmuststartthe
vmware-userprocessmanuallyinthefollowingenvironments:
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IfyourunanXsessionwithoutasessionmanager(forexample,byusingstartx
andgettingadesktopandnotusingxdm,kdm,orgdm)
IfyouareusingcertainolderversionsofGNOMEwithoutgdmorxdm
Ifyouareusinganysessionmanagerorenvironmentthatdoesnotsupportthe
DesktopApplicationAutostartSpecification,availablefrom
http://standards.freedesktop.org
VMware, Inc.
To start the VMware User process manually if you do not use a session manager
Tohavevmware-userstartwhenyoustartanXsession,addvmware-usertothe
appropriateXstartupscript,suchasthe.xsessionor.xinitrcfile.
Thevmware-userprogramislocatedinthedirectorywhereyouselectedtoinstall
binaryprograms,whichdefaultsto/usr/bin.Thestartupscriptthatneedstobe
modifieddependsonyourparticularsystem.
Tostartvmware-userafteraVMwareToolssoftwareupdateorifyounotice
certainfeaturesarenotworking,openaterminalwindowandenterthefollowing
command:
vmware-user
VMware Tools Update Process

WorkstationchecksforVMwareToolsupdateswhenyoupoweronavirtualmachine.
Ifanewerversionisavailable,Workstationpromptsyouforpermissiontodownload
thenewversionfromaVMwareWebsite.
WhenyouupdatefromaversionofVMwareToolsincludedwithWorkstation4.x,5.x,
6.x,thepreviousversionofVMwareToolsmightbeuninstalled.
ForVMwareToolsupdatesonLinuxandWindowsguests,youcansettheguestto
updateautomatically,oryoucanperformamanualupdate.Onotherguests,youmust
manuallyupdate.
WhenyouupdateVMwareTools,anychangesyoumadetothedefaultscriptsare
overwritten.Anycustomscriptsyoucreatedremainuntouched,butdonotbenefit
fromanyunderlyingchangesthatenhancethedefaultscripts.
How Automatic Updates Occur

OnWindowsandLinuxguestsystems,youcansetVMwareToolstoupdateitselfwhen
thevirtualmachineispoweredon.ThestatusbardisplaysthemessageInstalling
VMware Tools . . .whenanupdateisinprogress.Aftertheupdateiscomplete,if
youareloggedintoaWindowsguest,arestartpromptappearsfor30seconds.Ifyou
arenotloggedin,theoperatingsystemrestartswithoutprompting.
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115
Anautoupdatecheckisperformedaspartofthebootsequencewhenyoupowerona
virtualmachine.Ifthevirtualmachinewassuspendedandyouresumeitorrestoreit
toasnapshotduringthebootsequencebeforethischeckoccurs,theautomaticupdate
occursasplanned.
Ifyouresumethevirtualmachineorrestoreittoasnapshotaftertheautoupdatecheck
occurs,theautomaticupdatedoesnotoccur.
Formoreinformationaboutautomaticupdates,seeUseGlobalSettingstoUpdate
VMwareToolsAutomaticallyonpage 116andSetVMwareToolsUpdateOptionsfor
EachVirtualMachineonpage 117.
How You Are Notified to Do a Manual Update

OnWindowsandLinuxguests,youcanspecifythatyouwanttodomanualupdates.
Onotheroperatingsystems,performingmanualupdatesistheonlyoption.
Thestatusbaroftheguestsystemdisplaysamessagewhenanewversionisavailable.
Toinstalltheupdate,usethesameprocedurethatyouusedforinstallingVMwareTools
thefirsttime.OnLinuxguests,theVMwareUserprocess(vmware-user)doesnot
restartfollowinganupdateuntilyoulaunchitmanuallyorlogoutofyourwindow
managerandloginagain.
OnWindows,youcanalternativelyopentheVMwareToolscontrolpanel(doubleclick
theVMwareToolsiconinthenotificationareaofthetaskbar),andontheOptionstab,
clickUpdate.
Use Global Settings to Update VMware Tools Automatically

ToautomaticallyupdateVMwareToolsformostorallWindowsorLinuxguestswhen
thevirtualmachinestarts,configuretheglobalpreferencefirstandthenconfigurethe
pervirtualmachineupdateoptiontousethatglobalpreference.
Beforeyoubegin,ifyouuseaLinuxhost,becomerootbeforestartingWorkstation.On
Linuxsystems,nonrootusersarenotallowedtomodifythepreferencesettingfor
VMwareToolsupdates.
To use global settings to update VMware Tools automatically
116
StartWorkstation.
SelectEdit>PreferencesandclicktheUpdatestab.
UndertheVMwareToolsupdatessection,selectthecheckboxandclickOK.
VMware, Inc.
Foreachofyourvirtualmachines,dothefollowing:
a
SelectVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectTools.
Verifythatthevirtualmachineissettousetheglobalpreferenceandclick
OK.
Set VMware Tools Update Options for Each Virtual Machine

UsethisproceduretooverrideglobalsettingsforautomaticallyupdatingVMware
ToolsonLinuxandWindowsguests.
AutomaticupdatesworkforversionsofVMwareToolsincludedinWorkstation5.5and
higher(build29772andabove).Automaticupdatesdonotworkforversionsof
VMwareToolsincludedinvirtualmachinescreatedwithVMwareServer1.x.
To set VMware Tools update options for each virtual machine
1
SelecttheLinuxorWindowsvirtualmachine.
SelectVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectTools.
SelectanupdateoptionandclickOK.
Toinstalltheupdate,usethesameprocedurethatyouusedforinstallingVMware
Toolsthefirsttime.Fortheplatformspecificinstallationinstructions,see
InstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.
Update VMware Tools in Older Windows Virtual Machines

WhenaMicrosoftinstallerperformsanupdate,itupdatesonlythecomponentsthatit
findsalreadyinstalled.Itdoesnotaddnewcomponents.IfyouupdateVMwareTools
inaWindowsvirtualmachinethatwascreatedwithWorkstation5.x,somenew
componentsarenotinstalled.Specifically,theWorkstation6.xandhighercomponent
forfilesharinganddragginganddroppingfilesisnotinstalled.
Togetthenewcomponents,youmustuninstalltheoldversionofVMwareToolsand
installthenewversionofVMwareTools.
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117
To update VMware Tools in older Windows virtual machines

1
TouninstalltheoldversionofVMwareTools,usetheAdd/RemoveProgramsitem
intheguestsControlPanel.
ToinstallthenewversionofVMwareTools,seeInstallingVMwareToolson
page 104.
Uninstall VMware Tools

Occasionally,anupdateofVMwareToolsisincomplete.Youcanusuallysolvethe
problembyuninstallingVMwareToolsandthenreinstalling.
To uninstall VMware Tools
Dependingontheguestoperatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
OnmostWindowsguests,loginasanAdministratoruserusetheguestoperating
systemsAdd/RemoveProgramsitemtoremoveVMwareTools.
OnWindowsVista,Windows7,andServer2008guests,usetheguestoperating
systemsPrograms and Features>UninstallaprogramitemtoremoveVMware
Tools.
OnLinux,Solaris,FreeBSD,andNetWareguests,loginasrootandenterthe
followingcommand:
vmware-uninstall-tools.pl
OnaLinuxguestwhereVMwareToolswasinstalledbyusinganRPMinstaller,
loginasrootandenterthefollowingcommand:
rpm -e VMwareTools
Workstation4,5,and6includedRPMandtarinstallersforVMwareTools.
Workstation7andlaterreleasesincludeonlytarinstallers.
Repair or Change Installed Modules in a Windows Guest

IffeatureslikeenhancedfilesharingdonotworkafteraVMwareToolsupdate,you
mightneedtochangeorrepairinstalledmodules.Besuretofollowthesesteps.Donot
usetheguestsAdd/RemoveProgramsitemintheWindowsControlPanel.
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VMware, Inc.
To repair or change installed modules

1
InWorkstation,selectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>ReinstallVMware
Tools.
OntheWelcomepage,clickNextanddooneofthefollowing:
ClickChangetorepairormodifywhichmodulesofVMwareToolsare
installed.
ClickModifytospecifywhichmodulesareinstalled.
Occasionally,somenewmodulesarenotinstalledduringanupdate.Youcan
manuallyinstallnewmodulesbyusingtheModifyoption.
Completetherestofthepagesofthewizard.
Iffeaturesstilldonotwork,uninstallVMwareToolsandreinstall.
Open the VMware Tools Control Panel

UsetheVMwareToolscontrolpaneltomodifyVMwareToolsconfigurationsettings,
shrinkvirtualdisks,andconnectanddisconnectvirtualdevices.
Beforeyoubegin,makesureVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguestoperatingsystem.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7guests,logintotheoperatingsystemasan
Administratoruser.
To open the VMware Tools control panel
OnWindowsguests,doubleclickVMwareToolsiconinthenotificationareaof
theguestsWindowstaskbar.
IfyoucannotfindtheVMwareToolsiconinthenotificationarea,usetheguests
WindowsControlPaneltodisplayit.
OnLinux,FreeBSD,andSolarisguests,openaterminalwindowandenterthe
followingcommand:
/usr/bin/vmware-toolbox
VMware, Inc.
OnNetWareguests,dooneofthefollowing:
InaNetWare5.1orhigherguest,chooseNovell>Settings>VMwareTools
forNetWare.
InaNetWare4.2guest,useVMwareToolscommandsinthesystemconsole.
TheVMwareToolsprogramiscalledvmwtool.
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Use the Windows Control Panel to Display the Taskbar Icon

IfVMwareToolsisinstalledinaWindowsguestoperatingsystembutthe
VMware ToolsicondoesnotappearinthenotificationareaoftheWindowstaskbar,
youcanusetheWindowsControlPaneltodisplayit.
To use the Windows Control Panel to display the taskbar icon
1
GotoStart>ControlPanel.
DoubleclicktheVMwareToolsicon.
OntheOptionstab,selectShowVMwareToolsinthetaskbarandclickApply.
Options Tab Settings

TheOptionstaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanelprovidesthefollowingoptions:
Timesynchronizationbetweenthevirtualmachineandthehostoperating
systemSetsthetimeoftheguestoperatingsystemtobethesameasthetimeof
thehostandthenperiodically(everyminute)checkswhethertheguestoperating
systemstimematchesthatofthehosts.Ifnot,theclockontheguestis
synchronizedtomatchtheclockonthehost.
Iftheclockontheguestfallsbehindtheclockonthehost,VMwareToolsmoves
theclockontheguestforwardtomatchtheclockonthehost.Iftheclockonthe
guestisaheadofthatonthehost,VMwareToolscausestheclockontheguestto
runmoreslowlyuntiltheclocksaresynchronized.
Ifyouusethisoption,disableallothertimesynchronizationmechanisms.For
example,someguestsmighthaveNTPorCMOSclocksynchronizationturnedon
bydefault.
RegardlessofwhetheryouturnonVMwareToolsperiodictimesynchronization,
timesynchronizationoccurswhentheVMwareToolsdaemonisstarted(suchas
duringarebootorpoweronoperation),whenresumingavirtualmachinefroma
suspendoperation,afterrevertingtoasnapshot,andaftershrinkingadisk.When
theoperatingsystemstartsorreboots,andwhenyoufirstturnonperiodictime
synchronization,synchronizationcanbeeitherforwardorbackwardintime.
For otherevents,synchronizationisforwardintime.
Todisabletimesynchronizationcompletely,seeDisableTimeSynchronizationby
EditingtheVirtualMachineConfigurationFileonpage 121.
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ShowVMwareToolsinthetaskbar(Windowsguestsonly)Displaysthe
VMwareToolsiconinthenotificationareaofthetaskbar.Theiconindicates
whetherVMwareToolsisrunningandwhetheranupdateisavailable.
VMware, Inc.
Notifyifupdateisavailable(Windowsguestsonly)DisplaystheVMwareTools
iconwithayellowcautioniconwhenanupdateisavailable.
Updatebutton(Windowsguestsonly)Becomesenabledwhenanupdateis
available.ClickingthisbuttonhasthesameeffectaschoosingVM>Update
VMwareToolsfromtheWorkstationmenubar.
Disable Time Synchronization by Editing the Virtual Machine

Configuration File
Avirtualmachineoccasionallysynchronizestimewiththehostevenifyouusethe
VMwareToolscontrolpanel(Optionstab)todisableperiodictimesynchronization.
Youcandisabletimesynchronizationcompletelybyeditingthevirtualmachine
configurationfile.
Youcanfollowthesestepstokeepafictitioustimeinyourguest,sothattheguestis
neversynchronizedwiththehost.
To disable time synchronization by editing the virtual machine configuration file
1
Poweroffthevirtualmachine.
Openthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile(.vmx)inatexteditorandsetthe
followingoptionstoFALSE.
Table 5-2. Time Synchronization Options
Option Name
VMware, Inc.
Synchronization Occurs During the

Following Event
tools.syncTime
Periodically(normallyonceperminute).
Time synchronizationisonlyforwardintime.
time.synchronize.continue
Takingasnapshot.Timesynchronizationisonly
forwardintime.
time.synchronize.restore
Revertingtoasnapshot.Timesynchronization
isonlyforwardintime.
time.synchronize.resume.disk
Resumingasuspendedvirtualmachine.
Time synchronizationisonlyforwardintime.
time.synchronize.shrink
Shrinkingavirtualdisk.Timesynchronization
isonlyforwardintime.
time.synchronize.tools.startup
Bootingtheguestoperatingsystem.
Time synchronizationcanbeeitherforwardor
backwardintime.
Saveandclosethefile.
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Devices Tab Settings

TheDevicestaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanelprovidesoptionsforenablingand
connectingtoremovabledevicessuchasfloppydrives,DVD/CDROMdrives,
ISO images,USBdevices,soundadapters,andnetworkadapters.Bydefault,floppy
driveisnotconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
Thecontrolsforconnectinganddisconnectingdevicesmightnotbeavailable,
dependingonwhetheryoursystemadministratorenabledthem.
Youmightnotseeaparticularnetworkadapterlistedthatshouldappearinthelist.
If thishappens,editthevirtualmachinesettingstoremoveallnetworkadaptersfrom
thelistandthenaddthembacktothelist.
BesidesusingtheVMwareToolscontrolpaneltoconnectordisconnectadevice,you
canrightclickthedeviceiconinthestatusbarofthevirtualmachinewindow.SeeUse
RemovableDevicesinaVirtualMachineonpage 181.
Scripts Tab Settings

FromtheScriptstaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanel,youcanedit,disable,orrun
scriptsthathelpautomateguestoperatingsystemoperationswhenyouchangethe
virtualmachinespowerstate.
Fromthistab,youcanalsospecifythelocationofcustomscriptsfortheSuspend,
Resume,PowerOn,PowerOff,andResetbuttons.OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSD
guests,youmustbeloggedinasroottousethistab.
Onmostguestoperatingsystems,ifVMwareToolsisinstalledandifyouconfigurea
virtualmachinespowercontrolstousetheguestoptions,oneormoredefaultscripts
runontheguestwheneveryouchangethepowerstateofthevirtualmachine.
Forexample,ifyouusethevirtualmachinesettingseditor(chooseVM>Settings>
Options>Power)andsetthePowerOffcontroltouseShutdownGuest,thenthe
poweroff-vm-defaultscriptrunswhenyouclickthePowerOffbuttoninthe
Workstationtoolbar.Thisscriptcausestheguestoperatingsystemtoshutdown
gracefully.
Scriptscanberunonmostguestoperatingsystems,butnotonWindows95and
NetWareguests.SeeRunorDisableaScriptonpage 128.
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Shrink Tab Settings

TheShrinktaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanelprovidesoptionsforreclaiming
unusedspaceinavirtualdisk.Ifyourvirtualmachinecannotbeshrunk,thistab
displaysinformationexplainingwhyyoucannotshrinkyourvirtualdisks.
Shrinkingadiskisatwostepprocess:apreparationstepandtheshrinkstep.Inthefirst
step,VMwareToolsreclaimsallunusedportionsofdiskpartitions(suchasdeleted
files)andpreparesthemforshrinking.Thissteptakesplaceintheguestoperating
system.
Theshrinkprocessisthesecondstep,andittakesplaceoutsidethevirtualmachine.
TheVMwareapplicationreducesthesizeofthediskbasedonthediskspacereclaimed
duringthepreparationstep.Ifthediskhasemptyspace,thisprocessreducesthe
amountofspacethevirtualdiskoccupiesonthehostdrive.SeeCompactaVirtual
Diskonpage 240.
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests,runVMwareToolsastherootusertoshrink
virtualdisks.Ifyoushrinkthevirtualdiskasanonrootuser,youcannotprepareto
shrinkthepartsofthevirtualdiskthatrequirerootlevelpermissions.
About Tab
TheAbouttabdisplaysversion(buildnumber)andcopyrightinformation.
In Windowsguests,thistabalsoshowsthestatusoftheVMwareToolsservice.
Configure VMware Tools in a NetWare Guest

InaNetWarevirtualmachine,usingthesystemconsole,youcanconfigurecertain
virtualmachineoptionssuchastimesynchronization,CPUidling,anddevice
configurationwithVMwareTools.TheVMwareToolscommandlineprogramiscalled
vmwtool.
To configure VMware Tools in a NetWare Guest
1
Openaterminalwindow(systemconsole)intheNetWareguest.
Enteracommandthatusesthefollowingformat:
vmwtool <command>
<command>isoneofthecommandslistedinTable 53.
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Table 5-3. vmwtool Commands

vmwtool Command
Description
help
DisplaysasummaryofVMwareToolscommandsand
optionsinaNetWareguest.
partitonlist
Displaysalistofalldiskpartitionsinthevirtualdisk
andwhetherornotapartitioncanbeshrunk.
shrink [<partition>]
Shrinksthelistedpartitions.Ifnopartitionsare
specified,allpartitionsinthevirtualdiskareshrunk.
Thestatusoftheshrinkprocessappearsatthebottom
ofthesystemconsole.
devicelist
Listseachremovabledeviceinthevirtualmachine,its
deviceID,andwhetherthedeviceisenabledor
disabled.Removabledevicesincludethevirtual
networkadapter,CDROM,andfloppydrives.By
default,floppydriveisnotconnectedwhenthevirtual
machinepowerson.
disabledevice [<device
name>]
Disablesthespecifieddeviceordevicesinthevirtual
machine.Ifnodeviceisspecified,allremovable
devicesinthevirtualmachinearedisabled.
enabledevice [<device
name>]
Enablesthespecifieddeviceordevicesinthevirtual
machine.Ifnodeviceisspecified,allremovable
devicesinthevirtualmachineareenabled.
synctime [on|off]
Letsyouturnonoroffsynchronizationoftimeinthe
guestoperatingsystemwithtimeonthehostoperating
system.By default,timesynchronizationisturnedoff.
Usethiscommandwithoutanyoptionstoviewthe
currenttimesynchronizationstatus.
idle [on|off]
LetsyouturntheCPUidleronoroff.Bydefault,the
idleristurnedon.TheCPUidlerprogramisincluded
inVMwareToolsforNetWareguests.
TheidlerprogramisneededbecauseNetWareservers
donotidletheCPUwhentheoperatingsystemisidle.
Asaresult,avirtualmachinetakesCPUtimefromthe
hostregardlessofwhethertheNetWareserver
softwareisidleorbusy.
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Customizations to VMware Tools

Customizationsincludemodifyingorwritingscriptsthatrunwhenavirtualmachines
powerstatechanges,executingcommandswhenyoushutdownorrestartaLinux,
Solaris,orFreeBSDguest,andpassingcommandsinstringsthatruninstartupscripts.
How VMware Tools Scripts Affect Power States

WhenVMwareToolsisinstalled,ifyouconfigureavirtualmachinespowercontrolsto
usetheguest,orsoft,poweroptions,oneormoredefaultscriptsrunontheguest
wheneveryouchangethepowerstateofthevirtualmachine.Youchangethepower
statebyusingmenucommandsorbyclickingtheSuspend,Resume,PowerOn,and
PowerOffbuttons.
Whatthedefaultscriptsdodependsinpartontheguestoperatingsystem:
OnmostMicrosoftWindowsguests,butnotwindowsNTandWindowsMe,the
defaultscriptexecutedwhenyoususpendavirtualmachinereleasestheIP
addressofthevirtualmachine.Thedefaultscriptexecutedwhenyouresumea
virtualmachinerenewstheIPaddressofthevirtualmachine(thisaffectsonly
virtualmachinesconfiguredtouseDHCP).ScriptscannotberunonWindows95
guests.
InWindowsguests,thedefaultscriptsarelocatedintheProgram
Files\VMware\VMware Toolsfolder.
OnmostLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests,thedefaultscriptexecutedwhenyou
suspendavirtualmachinestopsnetworkingforthevirtualmachine.Thedefault
scriptexecutedwhenyouresumeavirtualmachinestartsnetworkingforthe
virtualmachine.ScriptscannotberunonNetWareandFreeBSDguests.
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguests,thedefaultscriptsarelocatedinthe
/etc/vmware-toolsdirectory.
Youcancreateyourownscriptsandusetheminsteadofthedefaultscriptsshownin
Table 54.
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Table 5-4. Default VMware Tools Scripts

Script Name
Description
poweroff-vm-default
Ifyouconfiguredthepoweroffoperationtoshutdowntheguest,
thisscriptrunswhenthevirtualmachineisbeingpoweredoff.
Ifyouconfiguredtheresetoperationtorestarttheguest,thisscript
runswhenthevirtualmachineisbeingreset.
Thisscripthasnoeffectonnetworkingforthevirtualmachine.
poweron-vm-default
Ifyouconfiguredthepoweronoperationtostarttheguest,this
scriptrunswhenthevirtualmachineisbeingpoweredonrather
thanresumed.
Ifyouconfiguredtheresetoperationtorestarttheguest,thisscript
runsaftervirtualmachinerestarts.
Thisscripthasnoeffectonnetworkingforthevirtualmachine.
resume-vm-default
Ifyouconfiguredthepoweronoperationtostarttheguest,orthe
resetoperationtorestarttheguest,thisscriptrunswhenthevirtual
machineisresumedafteritwassuspended.
OnWindowsguests,ifthevirtualmachineisconfiguredtouse
DHCP,thisscriptrenewstheIPaddressofthevirtualmachine.
OnLinux,FreeBSD,andSolarisguests,thisscriptstartsnetworking
forthevirtualmachine.
suspend-vm-default
Ifyouconfiguredthesuspendoperationtosuspendtheguest,this
scriptrunswhenthevirtualmachineisbeingsuspended.
OnWindowsguests,ifthevirtualmachineisconfiguredtouse
DHCP,thisscriptreleasestheIPaddressofthevirtualmachine.
OnLinux,FreeBSD,andSolarisguests,thisscriptstopsnetworking
forthevirtualmachine.
Create Scripts to Override Default VMware Tools Scripts

YoucancreateyourownscriptstooverridethedefaultVMwareToolsscriptsthat
controlpowerstatechanges.
ScriptsarerunbytheVMwareToolsdaemon(vmtoolsd.exe onWindowsand
vmtoolsdonLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSD).BecausevmtoolsdisrunasrootonLinux,
Solaris,andFreeBSDandasSystemonWindows,thescriptsareruninaseparate
sessionfromtheloggedinuserssession.TheVMwareToolsdaemonhasno
knowledgeofdesktopsessions,whichmeansthatitcannotdisplaygraphical
applications.Donotattempttousecustomscriptstodisplaygraphicalapplications.
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Beforecreatingcustomscripts,makesurethatthefollowingconditionsaremetinthe
guestoperatingsystem:
ThevirtualmachineisusingthelatestversionofVMwareTools.
TheVMwareToolsserviceisrunninginthevirtualmachine.
Dependingontheoperationthescriptperforms,thevirtualmachinehasavirtual
networkadapterconnected.Ifnot,thepoweroperationfails.
(Linux,Solaris,andFreeBSDguestsonly)ToeditascriptbyusingtheEditbutton
ontheScriptstab,xtermandvimustbeinstalledintheguestoperatingsystem
andmustbeinyourPATH.Youmustbearootusertoeditthescript.
To create scripts to override default VMware Tools scripts

1
Determinewhetheryouwanttocreateyourcustomscriptbymakingchangesto
thedefaultscriptandsavingittoanewlocation.
InWindowsguests,thedefaultscriptsarelocatedintheProgram
Files\VMware\VMware Toolsfolder.
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSD,thedefaultscriptsarelocatedinthe
/etc/vmware-toolsdirectory.
Modifythedefaultscriptandsaveitwithadifferentnameorwriteadifferent
script.
OnWindowsguests,ifyouwriteanewscript,createthescriptasabatchfile.
For Linux,Solaris,andFreeBSD,createthescriptinanyexecutableformat(suchas
shellorPerlscripts).
YoucanalsousetheEditbuttonontheScriptstaboftheVMwareToolscontrol
paneltoeditacustomscript.Youcanalsoeditscriptsmanuallyusinganytext
editor.
Associateeachcustomscriptwithitsparticularpoweroperation:
a
OntheScriptstaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanel,selecttheappropriate
scriptevent.
SelecttheUseScriptcheckbox,selectCustomscript,andusetheBrowse
buttontopointtothescriptyouwanttouse.
ClickOK.
WhenyoureinstallVMwareToolsafteryouupdatetheWorkstationsoftware,any
changesyoumadetothedefaultscriptsareoverwritten.Anycustomscriptsyou
createdremainuntouched,butdonotbenefitfromanyunderlyingchangesthat
enhancethedefaultscripts.
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Run or Disable a Script

Ifyouarecreatingacustomscript,runthescriptbeforeassociatingitwithapower
operation.
To run or disable a script
1
OntheScriptstaboftheVMwareToolscontrolpanel,selecttheappropriatescript
event.
Todisablethescript,cleartheUseScriptcheckboxandclickOK.
Defaultscriptsforsuspendingandresumingworktogether.Ifyoudisablethe
scriptofoneoftheseactions,disablethescriptfortheotheractionaswell.
Torunascriptimmediately,clickRunNow.
YoucansuccessfullyrunascriptbyclickingtheRunNowbuttoninthe
VMwareToolscontrolpanel,butthissamescriptcanfailwhenrunaspartof
aWorkstationpoweroperation.ThisisbecausescriptsrunbyclickingRun
Nowarerunastheloggedinuserandhaveadifferentworkingdirectorythan
whenscriptsarerunbytheVMwareToolsdaemonduringapower
operation.
Execute Commands After You Power Off or Reset a Virtual

Machine
InaLinux,Solaris,orFreeBSDguest,youcanusetheVMwareToolsservicetoexecute
specificcommandswhenyoushutdownorrestarttheguestoperatingsystem.Thisis
inadditiontoanyscriptthatyouspecifiedtorunwhenyoushutdowntheguest
operatingsystem.
1
Useatexteditortoopenthefollowingfile:
/etc/vmware-tools/tools.conf
Addoneorbothofthefollowingcommandstothefile:
halt-command = <command>
<command>isthecommandtoexecutewhenyoushutdowntheguest
operatingsystem.
reboot-command = <command>
<command>isthecommandtoexecutewhenyourestarttheguestoperating
system.
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Passing a String from the Host to the Guest at Startup

Topassastringfromthehosttotheguestatstartup,youpassthestringfromyour
virtualmachinesconfigurationfileinthehosttotheguestoperatingsystemwhenyou
poweronthevirtualmachine.
YoucanpassitemsliketheWindowssystemID(SID),amachinename,oran
IP address.Insidetheguestoperatingsystemstartupscript,youcanhavetheservice
retrievethisstring.Thestringcanthenbeusedinanotherscripttosetyourvirtual
machinessystemID,machinename,orIPaddress.
Usethisstrategy,forexample,tomakecopiesofthesameconfigurationfile,adda
differentstringtoeach(eitherintheconfigurationfileitselforatthecommandline),
andusethesevariationsofthesameconfigurationfiletolaunchthesamevirtualdisk
innonpersistentmodemultipletimesinatrainingortestingenvironment.
Passingastringisalsousefulwhenyouwanttodeployvirtualmachinesonanetwork
usingacommonconfigurationfilewhileprovidingeachmachinewithitsownunique
identity.
Youcanpassstringstoavirtualmachinesguestoperatingsysteminoneoftwoways:
placingthestringinthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfileorpassingthestringtothe
guestfromthecommandline.
Usethisfeatureonlyifyouhaveagoodunderstandingofascriptinglanguage(for
example,PerlorNetShell)andknowhowtomodifysystemstartupscripts.
String in a Configuration File

Placeastringinthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)bysettingthestring
tothemachine.idparameter.Forexample,youcansetthisstring:
machine.id = "Hello World."
Followingisanexampleofportionsoftwoconfigurationfilesthatpointtothesame
virtualdisk.Eachconfigurationfilecontainsitsownuniquestringsetforthe
machine.idparameter.
config_file_1.vmxcontains:
ide0:0.present = TRUE
ide0:0.fileName = "my_common_virtual_hard_drive.vmdk"
machine.id = "the_string_for_my_first_vm"
config_file_2.vmxcontains:
ide0:0.present = TRUE
ide0:0.fileName = "my_common_virtual_hard_drive.vmdk"
machine.id = "the_string_for_my_second_vm"
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Topreventastringfrombeingpassedfromthehosttotheguestthroughtheservice,
setthefollowinglineinyourvirtualmachinesconfigurationfile:
isolation.tools.getMachineID.disable = "TRUE"
String in a Startup Command

Ratherthansettingthemachine.idparameterintheconfigurationfile,youcanpass
thestringtotheguestoperatingsystemfromthecommandlinewhenyoupoweron
thevirtualmachine.Followingisanexampleofsuchastartupcommand(enteredon
oneline):
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware -s
'machine.id=Hello World'
C:\Virtual Machines\win2000\win2000.vmx
Usethismethodtodeployvirtualmachinesonanetworkusingacommon
configurationfilewhileprovidingeachmachinewithitsownuniqueidentity.
Launcheachvirtualmachinewiththevmware -scommand.Eachvirtualmachinedisk
filemustbecopiedintoitsowndirectoryifitsharesitsfilenamewithanothervirtual
machinediskfile.
OnaLinuxhost,themachineIDpassedonthecommandlinetakesprecedenceandis
passedtotheguestoperatingsystemifthefollowingconditionsaremet:
AvirtualmachineIDisspecifiedinthevirtualmachinesconfiguration(.vmx)file
whichisusedtoopenthevirtualmachine.
YouspecifyamachineIDonthecommandline.
Use a String in a Startup Script to Set a Name and IP Address

ThefollowingexampleusesaWindowshosttoillustratehowyoucanusetheservice
toretrieveastringcontainingwhatbecomesthevirtualmachinesmachinenameand
IPaddress.Inthisexample,W2KVMisthemachinenameand148.30.16.24isthe
IP address.
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To use a string in a startup script to set a name and IP address

1
Definethestringbyusingoneofthefollowingmethods:
Onthehostmachine,addthefollowinglinetoyourvirtualmachines
configurationfile(.vmxfile):
machine.id = "W2K-VM 148.30.16.24"
Openthevirtualmachineusingthisconfigurationfile.
Openthevirtualmachinefromthecommandlinebyenteringthefollowing
ononeline:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware -s
'machine.id=W2K-VM 148.30.16.24' C:\Virtual
Machines\win2000\win2000.vmx
Dooneofthefollowingtoretrievethestringinthevirtualmachine:
InaWindowsguest,enterthefollowingcommandtoretrievethestring:
vmtoolsd --cmd machine.id.get
InaLinuxguest,intheoperatingsystemsstartupscript,addthefollowing
commandbeforethenetworkstartupsection.Forexample:
/usr/sbin/vmtoolsd --cmd 'machine.id.get'
Thelocationofvmtoolsddependsonthedirectoryyouspecifyatthetimeof
installation.
3
Furthercustomizethisstartupscriptsothatitusesthestringtheserviceretrieved
duringstartuptosetthevirtualmachinesnetworknametoW2KVMandits
IP addressto148.30.16.24.
Placethisstringinthescriptbeforethecommandtostartthenetworkservices.
IfyoureusingaWindows2000guestoperatingsystem,forexample,youcancall
theNetShellutility(netsh)andpassitthecontentsofthestring,whichusesthe
stringaccordingly.Thatis,itcansetanewIPaddressforthevirtualmachine,if
thatiswhatwaspassedinthestringoriginally.
Passing Information Between the Guest and Another Program

TheVMwareToolsserviceallowsyoutouseVMwareprogrammaticinterfacesto
managevirtualmachinesfromyourownindependentprogramsandfromexisting
frameworksdevelopedbypartnersandthirdparties.
FormoreinformationabouttheVMwareInfrastructureSDK,gototheVMwareAPIs
andSDKsDocumentationpageoftheVMwareWebsite.
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Use the VMware Tools Service Command-Line Interface

TheVMwareToolscommandlineinterfaceenablesyoutodothefollowing:
ConfiguretimesynchronizationinyourLinuxguestoperatingsystemwithout
runningX.
UpgradeanduninstallVMwareTools,determinetheversion,andsoon.
To use the VMware Tools command-line interface

1
Ontheguestoperatingsystem,changedirectoriestothedirectorythatcontainsthe
VMwareToolsdaemon.
Dependingontheoperatingsystem,thenameanddefaultlocationofthedaemon
areasfollows:
OnMicrosoftWindowssystems,thedaemoniscalledvmtoolsd.exeandthe
locationis:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools\vmtoolsd.exe
OnLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDsystems,thedaemoniscalledvmtoolsd. The
locationofvmtoolsddependsonthedirectoryyouspecifyatthetimeof
installation.Thedefaultlocationis:
/usr/sbin/vmtoolsd
Toconfigureperiodictimesynchronization,usethevmx.set_optioncommand.
Usethefollowingsyntax:
<daemon> --cmd "vmx.set_option synctime <old_val> <new_val>"
<daemon>isvmtoolsdonLinux,Solaris,andFreeBSDsystemsorvmtoolsd.exe
onWindowssystems.
<old_val>and<new_val>aretheoldandnewvalues,respectively.Use0tomean
FALSEand1tomeanTRUE.
FollowingisanexampleofsettingtimesynchronizationtoTRUEonaLinuxguest:
./vmtoolsd --cmd "vmx.set_option synctime 0 1"
Thenewsettingiswrittentothetools.syncTimepropertyinthevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.Usingthisoptionisequivalenttousingthe
timesynchronizationoptionontheOptionstaboftheVMwareToolscontrol
panel.
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Tousecommandsotherthan--cmd,usethe--helpcommandlinecommand.
VMware, Inc.
Creating a Virtual Machine

from a System Image or
Another Virtual Machine
Thischapterdescribeshowtoconvertaphysicalmachine,virtualmachine,orsystem
imagetoaVMwarevirtualmachine.OnWindowshosts,youcanconvertavirtual
machinethatwascreatedbyusingathirdpartyproduct.
ConversionProcessforImportingfromOtherFormatsonpage 133
VMwareConverterComparedtotheConversionWizardonpage 135
SupportedSourceMachinesonpage 135
SupportedDestinationsonpage 140
ConversionImpactonSettingsonpage 142
OpenaThirdPartyVirtualMachineorSystemImageonpage 143
ImportaVirtualMachine,VirtualAppliance,orSystemImageonpage 144
Conversion Process for Importing from Other Formats

OnWindowshosts,Workstation7.0incorporatestheConversionwizardfromthe
VMwareConverterproduct.UsingtheConversionwizardtoperformaconversionto
VMwarevirtualmachinesenablesyoutodothefollowing:
Avoidreinstallingoperatingsystemsandapplicationsforsystemconfigurations
youuseoften.
Overcomelegacymigrationbarriers.Certainlegacysystemsmightbeimpossible
torecreatethroughreinstallation.
Convertaphysicalmachineintoavirtualmachine.
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133
Usevirtualmachinesorsystemimagescreatedwithproductsfromother
companiessuchasNorton,Symantec,andStorageCraft.
Convertvirtualappliancesthatuseopenvirtualizationformat(OVF).
Workstationprovidesthreewaystoconvertavirtualmachineorsystemimage:
UsingtheFile>Opencommandconvertsandopensavirtualmachineorsystem
imagequickly.Workstationusesdefaultsettingstomaketheconversion
automatically,withnoinputrequiredfromyou.TheoriginalMicrosoftVirtualPC,
SymantecBackupExecSystemRecovery,StorageCraftShadowProtect,orAcronis
TrueImage(.vmc,.spf,.sv2i,or.tib)fileisunchanged.
Forallsupportedfiletypesexcept.ovfand.ovafiles,theFile>Opencommand
createsalinkedclonewhenitopensthefile.Ifyouopenavirtualappliancethat
uses.ovfor.ovafiles,Workstationcreatesafullclone.
Ifyouattempttoopenavirtualmachineorsystemimagethatispassword
protected,youarepromptedforthepassword,andWorkstationcreatesafull
clone.
UsingtheFile>ImportorExportcommandstartstheConversionwizard.Itlets
youspecifytheconvertedvirtualmachineslocation,whetherornottheconverted
virtualmachinesharesvirtualdiskswiththeoriginalvirtualmachineorsystem
image,andwhichversionsofVMwareproductstheconvertedvirtualmachineis
tobecompatiblewith.
UsingFile>ImportWindowsXPModeVMcommandimportsaWindowsXP
ModevirtualmachineonWindows7hosts.SeeImportaWindowsXPMode
ThewizardcreatesacompletelynewVMwarevirtualmachinebasedontheinput
virtualmachineorsystemimage.ThenewlymigratedVMwarevirtualmachineretains
theconfigurationoftheoriginalvirtualmachineorimage.
Themigrationprocesscanbenondestructive,soyoucancontinuetousetheoriginal
virtualmachinewithMicrosoftVirtualPC,ortheoriginalsystemimagewithSymantec
BackupExecSystemRecovery.However,torunanewVMwarevirtualmachineonthe
samenetworkastheoriginalVirtualPCvirtualmachine,youmustmodifythenetwork
nameandIPaddressononeofthevirtualmachinessotheoriginalandnewvirtual
machinescancoexist.
ForMicrosoftVirtualPCandMicrosoftVirtualServervirtualmachines,youhavethe
optionofsharingthesourcevirtualharddisk(.vhd)files.ThismeansthattheVMware
virtualmachinecanwritedirectlytotheoriginal.vhdfilesinsteadofVMwarevirtual
harddisk(.vmdk)files.
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Chapter 6 Creating a Virtual Machine from a System Image or Another Virtual Machine
VMware Converter Compared to the Conversion Wizard

Workstation7.0incorporatestheConversionwizardfromtheVMwareConverter
product.VMwareConverterisaseparatedownloadableapplicationforWindowshosts
thatprovidesaneasytouse,scalablesolutionformigrationsofmachines,both
physicaltovirtualandvirtualtovirtual.InadditiontotheConversionwizard,VMware
Converterprovidesataskmanagerthatletsyouschedulemigrationsofmanymachines.
TheConversionwizardincludedwithWorkstationletsyoucreateVMwarevirtual
machinesfromalocalorremotephysicalmachineorfromvirtualmachinesandsystem
imagesthatwereoriginallycreatedbyusingotherproductsthanVMwareproducts.
YoucanalsousethewizardtochangeavirtualmachineusingoneVMwareformatto
thatusinganother.Forexample,youcancopyaVMwareServervirtualmachineand
useittocreateanESXvirtualmachine.
TouseotherfeaturesofVMwareConverter,suchasitstaskmanager,ortheabilityto
importmorethanonevirtualmachineatatime,downloadtheVMwareConverter.
Supported Source Machines

TheVMwareConversionwizardinWorkstationallowsyoutoimportthefollowing
typesofphysicalandvirtualmachines:
VMware, Inc.
Physicalmachines
WindowsServer200332bitand64bit
WindowsXPProfessional32bitand64bit
WindowsVista32bitand64bit
VMwarevirtualmachines(.vmxand.vmtnfiles)
Workstation4.5,5.x,6.x,and7.0
VMwareACE2.x
VMwareFusion1.x
VMwarePlayer1.x,2.x,and3.0
ESXServer3.x
135
ESXServer2.5.x(ifthevirtualmachineismanagedwithVirtualCenter2.x)
VMwareServer1.xand2.0.x(ifthevirtualmachineisonthelocalfilesystem)
VirtualCenter2.x
Virtualappliances
Appliancesthatuseopenvirtualizationformat(.ovfand.ovafiles)andthatuse
VMwarevirtualharddisks(.vmdkfiles).
Othervirtualmachinesandsystemimages
AcronisTrueImage9(.tibfiles)
StorageCraftShadowProtect(.spffiles)
MicrosoftVirtualPC7.xandhigher(.vmcfiles)
AnyversionofMicrosoftVirtualServer(.vmcfiles)
SymantecBackupExecSystemRecovery(formerlyLiveStateRecovery) 6.5
and7.0,LiveStateRecovery3.0and6.0(.sv2ifiles)
NortonGhostimages9.xandhigher(.sv2ifiles)
NOTEVirtualmachinesfromMacintoshversionsofMicrosoftVirtualPCarenot
supported.
Importing from Various Sources

ConsiderthesepointswhenusingtheConversionwizard.
Physical Machine Source

Toimportaremotemachine,youarepromptedtosupplythecomputernameor
IP addressandtheusernameandpasswordforloggingintothemachinewith
administrativeprivileges.Theusernamemusttaketheform<DOMAIN>\<user_name>.
NOTERemotephysicalmachinescannotbeimportedintoanESXcompatibleformat
bythewizard.
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Microsoft Virtual PC and Virtual Server Virtual Hard Disks

AsofWorkstation7.0,aconvertedvirtualmachinecansharethesourceMicrosoft
virtualharddisk(.vhdfiles).ThismeansthattheVMwarevirtualmachinecanwrite
directlytotheoriginal.vhdfilesinsteadofVMwarevirtualharddisk(.vmdk)files.
IfyouselectSharesourcetheconvertedvirtualmachineconsistsofaVMwarevirtual
machineconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)andtheoriginal.vhdfile,whichremainsinits
originallocation.VMwaremodifiesthe.vhdfile,installingVMwarespecificvideo
drivers,devicedriversforvirtualnetworkcards,andsoon.TheVMwarespecific
driversreplacetheMicrosoftdrivers.
ShadowProtect and Backup Exec System Recovery Images

YoucanimportShadowProtectandBackupExecSystemRecoveryimages,butkeepthe
followinglimitationsinmind:
Dynamicdisksarenotsupported.
Allimagesforthebackupofamachineshouldbeinasinglefolder,withnoother
imagesplacedthere.
Allvolumesinthediskuptotheactiveandsystemvolumesmustbebackedup.
Forexample,ifadiskhasfourpartitions,14,withpartition2astheactivevolume
andpartition3asthesystemvolume,thebackupmustinclude1through3.
Ifitisanincrementalimage,upto16incrementalbackupsaresupported.
ForShadowProtect,imagesofsystemswithlogicaldrivesarenotsupportedifthe
logicaldriveisalsoasystemoractivevolume.
Appliances That Use Open Virtualization Format

Openvirtualizationformat(OVF)isaplatformneutral,secure,andportableformatfor
packaginganddistributingvirtualappliances.AlthoughOVFdoesnotrelyona
specificvirtualizationplatform,theConversionwizardsupportsonlyOVFappliances
thatuseVMwarevirtualharddisks(.vmdkfiles).
IntheConversionwizard,youcanselect.ovffiles,whicharetheOVFequivalentofa
VMwarevirtualmachineconfigurationfile(.vmxfile),oryoucanselect.ovafiles
(openvirtualappliancefiles).An.ovafilestorestheconfigurationfileandvirtualhard
diskfiletogether,likea.zipfile,foreasydistribution.
WhenspecifyingthelocationoftheOVFappliance,youcanbrowsetoadirectoryor
useaURLtodownloadtheappliancefromaWebserver.Youcanalsodownloadthe
appliancefromasecure(HTTPS)Webserver.
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NOTEWhenyouuseaURL,thevirtualapplianceisdownloadedbeforetheconversion
processstarts.Downloadingcantake15minutesorlonger,dependingonthesizeofthe
file.
TheConversionwizardalwaysmakesafullclonewhenitconvertsanOVFappliance
toavirtualmachine.SeeFullorLinkedClonesonpage 139.
Dual-Boot System Source

Whenyouimportaphysicalmachinethatispartofadualbootsystem,youcanimport
onlythedefaultoperatingsystemtowhichboot.inipoints.Toimportthenondefault
operatingsystem,changeboot.initopointtotheotheroperatingsystemandreboot
beforeattemptingtoimport.Evenifboot.inipointstothecorrectoperatingsystem,
occasionally,thevirtualmachinemightnotbebootableinthedefaultoperatingsystem.
Windows NT Virtual Machine Source

IfthesourcevirtualmachineisWindowsNTSMP,thewizardmightrequirefilesfrom
servicepacksorhotfixes.Thewizardshowswhichfilesitrequires.Youmustbrowse
totherequiredfiles.Theycanbeonadisk,yourlocalsystem,orthenetwork.
OnWindowsNTmachines,duringtheimportprocess,asnapshotdriveris
downloadedtothemachine.Thisdriverhandlesthecopyingandmovingoffilesand
registrysettings.Thedriverrequiresareboottocompleteitstasks.Whenitisfinished,
thedriverisuninstalled.
NOTEAlthoughWindowsNTvirtualmachinesaresupportedasasource,
Windows NTphysicalmachinesarenotsupported.
ESX Virtual Machine Source

YoumustsupplythenameoftheESXserverandtheusernameandpasswordfor
loggingin.
Password-Protected Virtual Machines

Ifthevirtualmachineyouwanttoimportispasswordprotected,youmustsupplythe
password.
About Page Files and Hibernation Files

Youcanimportallthedisksforthephysicalorvirtualmachineor,tosavespace,you
canselectsomeofthevolumesandleaveoutothers.Ifyouselectspecificvolumes,you
canalsoignorethepageandhibernationfiles.Thesefilesarelargeand,for
volumebasedcloning,donotprovideinformationthatyouneedtocopy.
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Supported Volume Types

Sometypesofsourcevolumes,orpartitions,areunsupportedandareskippedduring
cloning.Virtualmachineimportingsupportsbasicvolumesandalltypesofdynamic
volumesexceptRAID.OnlyMasterBootRecord(MBR)disksaresupported.GUID
PartitionTable(GPT)disksarenotsupported.
Disk Space Allocation

AsisthecasewhenyouusetheNewVirtualMachinewizard,youmustspecify
whethertoallocateallthespaceatcreationtimeorallowthefilestogrow.Allocating
spaceatcreationtimegivesyoubetterperformancebutisatimeconsumingprocess.
VMwarerecommendsthatyouallowthedisktogrow.
SelecttheoptionSplitdiskinto2GBfilesifyourvirtualdiskisstoredonafilesystem
thatdoesnotsupportfileslargerthan2GB.
Full or Linked Clones

Ifthesourceisavirtualmachine,youcancreateafullorlinkedclone.OntheVirtual
MachinesOptionspageoftheConversionwizard,selectImportandConverttocreate
afullclone.SelectSharesourceandstorechangesseparatelytocreatealinkedclone.
NOTEForMicrosoftVirtualPCandVirtualServervirtualmachines,youhaveathird
option.Insteadofcreatingafullorlinkedclone,youcanhavetheconvertedvirtual
machineusetheoriginalMicrosoftvirtualharddisk.Thisoptionmodifiesthesource
virtualmachine.SeeMicrosoftVirtualPCandVirtualServerVirtualHardDiskson
page 137.
LinkedclonescanbecreatedfromVMwarevirtualmachines,SymantecBackupExec
SystemRecoveryvirtualmachines(.sv2ifiles),MicrosoftVirtualPCandVirtual
Servervirtualmachines,AcronisTrueImage(.tibfiles),andStorageCraftfiles(.spf
files).CreatingalinkedcloneofaVMwarevirtualmachinerequiresthatthevirtual
hardwareversionofthedestinationmachinenotbehigherthanthehardwareversion
ofthesource.
CAUTIONForlinkedclones,thevirtualmachinecreatedbythewizardbecomes
corruptedifthesourceismodifiedaftertheimport.Thisistrueforlinkedclones
importedfromVirtualPCandVirtualServermachinesandfromSymantecbackup
images.InthecaseofVirtualPCandVirtualServersourcevirtualmachines,powering
themoninVirtualPCorVirtualServermodifiesthem.
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Supported Destinations
TheConversionwizardcancreatevirtualmachinesthatarecompatiblewiththe
followingproducts:
Workstation 4.5,5.x,6.x,and7.0
VMwareACE 1.x,2.x,and2.6
VMwareFusion 1.x,2.x,and3.0
VMwarePlayer 1.x,2.x,and3.0
ESXServer 3.x(Thisdestinationisnotsupportedifyouareimportingaremote
physicalmachine.)
ESXServer 2.5.x(Thisdestinationissupportedonlybyimportingthrougha
VirtualCenter 2.xserverthatmanagesthe2.5.xESXServer.)
VMwareServer 1.xand2.0.x(ifthevirtualmachineisonthelocalfilesystem)
VirtualCenter 2.x
NOTEWorkstation4virtualmachinesarecompatiblewithVMware GSX Server 3.0,

ESX Server 2.x,andACE 1.x.
Designating a Destination for a Virtual Machine

ConsiderthesepointswhenusingtheConversionwizardtospecifyadestinationfora
newlycreatedvirtualmachine.
ESX Virtual Machine Destination

YoumustsupplythenameoftheESXserverandtheusernameandpasswordfor
loggingin.
VirtualCenter Virtual Machine Destination

Youmustprovidethefollowinginformation:
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NameoftheVirtualCenterserverandtheusernameandpasswordforloggingin.
NameofthefolderintheVirtualCenterinventorywhereyouwanttostorethe
virtualmachine.
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Nameofthehost,cluster,orresourcepoolwithinahostorclusterfromwhichthe
virtualmachineistoberun.Ifyouselectaclusterinmanualmode,youmustalso
chooseaspecifichost.
Nameofthedatastoreforthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfilesanddisks.Use
theadvancedsettingtodistributethevirtualmachinesdisksovermultiple
datastores.
Network Adapters
Youarepromptedtochoosefromtheavailablenetworksatthedestinationlocation.For
moreinformationaboutnetworkingchoicesforvirtualmachinesusedwith
WorkstationratherthanESXorVirtualCenter,seeCommonNetworking
Configurationsonpage 286.
Optional Guest Operating System Customization

Youcanmakechangestotheidentityofthevirtualmachine(suchascomputername
andsecurityID),networkinginformation,andsoonwiththewizard.Forvirtual
machinesthatareconvertedtoESXvirtualmachines,youcanhavethewizardinstall
VMwareToolsiftheguestoperatingsystemisWindows2000orlater.
Youcanmakethefollowingcustomizations:
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Computerinformation
ComputernameAlphanumericnameupto63characters.Hyphensand
underscoresareallowed.
SecurityID(SID)Optionally,generateanewsecurityID.
SysprepfilelocationIfthewizardcandetectthelocation,thewizardpage
displaysit.Otherwise,youneedtosupplythelocation.
Windowslicensinginformation
ProductIDOptional.
WindowsServerlicenseinformationForMicrosoftWindows2000Server
and2003Serveronly.
Timezone
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Networkinformation
Networkadapter(interfaces)Resettodefaultormakechanges.
DHCPChoosebetweenusingDHCPtoobtainIPaddressesorenteringthem
manually.YoucanalsouseDHCPtoobtainaDNSserveraddressorenterit
manually.
DNSEnterDNSsuffixesandcustomizetheirordertospecifytheorderin
whichavirtualmachineusesthemtomakeconnections.
WINSSpecifyprimaryandsecondaryWINSaddresses.
WorkgroupordomainForworkgroups,specifytheworkgroupname,upto
15characters.Fordomains,specifytheWindowsServerdomain,alongwith
theappropriateusernameandpassword.
Conversion Impact on Settings

TheVMwarevirtualmachinecreatedbytheConversionwizardcontainsanexactcopy
ofthediskstatefromyoursourcevirtualmachineorsystemimage,withtheexception
ofsomehardwaredependentdriversand,sometimes,themappeddriveletters.
Thefollowingsettingsfromthesourcecomputerremainidentical:
Operatingsystemconfiguration(computername,securityID,useraccounts,
profilesandpreferences,andsoforth)
Applicationsanddatafiles
Eachdiskpartitionsvolumeserialnumber
Becausethetargetandthesourcevirtualmachinesorsystemimageshavethesame
identities(name,SID,andsoon),runningbothonthesamenetworkcanresultin
conflicts.Ifyouplantoredeploythesourcevirtualmachineorsystemimage,donot
runboththesourceandtargetimagesorvirtualmachinesonthesamenetworkatthe
sametime.
Alternatively,youcanresolvetheduplicateIDproblembyusingadditionaltools,such
astheWindowsXPSystemPreparationTool(Sysprep).Forexample,ifyouusethe
ConversiontotesttheviabilityofrunningaVirtual PCvirtualmachineasaVMware
virtualmachinewithoutfirstdecommissioningtheoriginalVirtual PCmachine,you
needtoresolvetheduplicateIDproblem.
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Migration Issues Caused by Hardware Changes

MostmigratedapplicationsfunctioncorrectlyintheVMwarevirtualmachinebecause
theirconfigurationanddatafileshavethesamelocationasthesourcevirtualmachine.
However,applicationsmightnotworkiftheydependonspecificcharacteristicsofthe
underlyinghardwaresuchastheserialnumberorthedevicemanufacturer.
Whentroubleshootingaftervirtualmachinemigration,considerthefollowing
potentialhardwarechanges:
TheCPUmodelandserialnumbers(ifactivated)canbedifferentafterthe
migration.TheycorrespondtothephysicalcomputerhostingtheVMwarevirtual
machine.
Thenetworkadaptercanbedifferent(AMDPCNetorVMXnet)withadifferent
MACaddress.EachinterfacesIPaddressmustbeindividuallyreconfigured.
Thegraphicscardcanbedifferent(VMwareSVGAcard).
Thenumbersofdisksandpartitionsarethesame,buteachdiskdevicecanhavea
differentmodelanddifferentmanufacturerstrings.
Theprimarydiskcontrollerscanbedifferentfromthesourcemachines
controllers.
Applicationsmightnotworkiftheydependondevicesthatarenotavailablefrom
withinavirtualmachine.
Open a Third-Party Virtual Machine or System Image

TheFile>Opencommandletsyouconvertavirtualappliance,systemimage,orvirtual
machinecreatedwithsoftwarefromanothercompanyintoaVMwarevirtualmachine.
To open a third-party virtual machine or system image
1
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseFile>Open.
IntheFilenamefield,browsetoandopentheconfiguration(.vmx,.vmc,.spf,
.ovf,.ova,or.sv2i)fileforthevirtualappliance,virtualmachine,orsystem
imagetoconvert.
YoucanusethefieldFilesoftypetofilterthefilesdisplayedbyfileextension.
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ClickOpen.
WorkstationcreatesaVMwarevirtualmachine,withaVMwareconfigurationfile
(.vmx)fortheconvertedvirtualmachineorsystemimage.Theconvertedvirtual
machinelinkstothevirtualdisksoftheoriginalvirtualmachineorsystemimage
unlessthesourceusesopenvirtualizationformat(.ovfor.ovafiles).Theoriginal
VirtualPC,SymantecBackupExecSystemRecovery,orStorageCraftconfiguration
(.vmc,.spf,or.sv2i)fileisunchanged.
Ifyouopenavirtualappliancethatuses.ovfor.ovafiles,Workstationcreatesa
fullclone.
Ifyouattempttoopenavirtualmachineorsystemimagethatispassword
protected,youarepromptedforthepassword,andWorkstationcreatesafull
clone.
Import a Virtual Machine, Virtual Appliance, or System

Image
TheFile>ImportorExportcommandenablesyoutoconvertasystemimageorvirtual
machineintoaVMwarevirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,reviewtherestrictionsandrequirementsforsourceanddestination
virtualmachines.SeeSupportedSourceMachinesonpage 135andSupported
Destinationsonpage 140.
To import a virtual machine, virtual appliance, or system image
1
Ifyouareimportingavirtualmachine,makesurethevirtualmachineispowered
off.
ChooseFile>ImportorExporttolaunchtheVMwareConversionwizard.
Completethewizardpages.
Thetextonthewizardpageschanges,dependingontheselectionsyoumake.
For example,ontheSourceTypepage,whenyouselectasourcetypefromthe
dropdownlist,thetextbelowthelistchangestodescribewhichtypesofvirtual
machinesareincludedinthatsourcetype.
Asyouproceedthroughthewizard,thenavigationpaneontheleftsideofthe
wizardhelpstrackyourprogress.
Wheneveryoustartanewphaseorstep,alistexpandstodisplaythenamesofthe
wizardpagesincludedinthatstep.Whenyoucompleteanentirestep,thenext
stepexpands.
Togobacktoapreviouspage,clickitsnameinthenavigationpane.
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Import a Windows XP Mode Virtual Machine

WhenyouimportaWindowsXPModevirtualmachine,Workstationcreatesalinked
clonefromtheparentvirtualmachine.Youcannotusethelinkedcloneifyoudeletethe
parentWindowsXPModevirtualmachine.Formoreinformationoncloning,see
CloningaVirtualMachineonpage 219.
ChangesmadetotheoriginalWindowsXPModevirtualmachinethroughVirtualPC
donotaffectthevirtualmachineimportedinVMwareWorkstation.Beforeyoubegin,
makesureyoucompletethefollowingtasks:
Reviewtherestrictionsandrequirementsforsourceanddestinationvirtual
machinesandimportingfromdifferentsources.SeeSupportedSourceMachines
onpage 135andSupportedDestinationsonpage 140.
YoumusthaveWindows7Professional,Enterprise,orUltimateversionof
operatingsystemrunningonyourhost.WindowsXPModedoesnotworkon
unsupportedhosts.
DownloadandinstalltheWindowsXPModevirtualmachine.
To import a Windows XP Mode virtual machine

SelectFile>ImportWindowsXPModeVM.
Avirtualmachineiscreatedinthedefaultvirtualmachinedirectory.Youcanpoweron
onlyoneWindowsXPModevirtualmachineatatime.
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Getting Started with Virtual

Machines
StartingaVirtualMachineonpage 148
ShutDownaVirtualMachineonpage 151
DownloadComponentsonpage 153
PausingaVirtualMachineonpage 154
EncryptingaVirtualMachineonpage 155
DeleteaVirtualMachineonpage 158
ControllingtheVirtualMachineDisplayonpage 158
ConfiguringVideoandSoundonpage 172
InstallNewSoftwareinaVirtualMachineonpage 179
UseHostPrintersinaVirtualMachineonpage 180
UseRemovableDevicesinaVirtualMachineonpage 181
ConfiguretheApplianceViewforaVirtualMachineonpage 182
CreateaScreenshotofaVirtualMachineonpage 183
CreateandPlayBackaMovieofaVirtualMachineonpage 184
AdvancedOptionsforApplicationDevelopersonpage 185
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Starting a Virtual Machine

Startingavirtualmachinemeansdisplayingitsrunningconsolesothatyoucaninteract
withit.Dependingonthesituation,startingavirtualmachinecaninvolveanyofthe
following:
TostartavirtualmachinefromtheWorkstationuserinterface,youmustopenthe
virtualmachineandpoweriton.
TostartavirtualmachinethatisrunninginthebackgroundwhenWorkstationis
notrunning,youmustopenitsconsolefromthetaskbaronthehost.
TostartavirtualmachinethatisavailablefromaWebserver,youmustusea
commandlinecommandtobeginstreamingthevirtualmachineandthenstartit
fromtheWorkstationwindow.
Tostartavirtualmachinefromthecommandline,youmustusethe
platformspecificprogramandstartupoptions.SeeStartupOptionsfor
WorkstationandVirtualMachinesonpage 485.
Start a Virtual Machine from the Workstation User Interface

Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatallofthevirtualmachinefilesareaccessibletothehost
whereWorkstationisinstalled.
YoucanaddthenameofthevirtualmachinetotheFavoriteslistsothatyoudonot
needtobrowsetothefiletoopenthevirtualmachine.SeeFavoritesListinthe
Sidebaronpage 63.
To start a virtual machine from the Workstation user interface
1
StartWorkstation.
Forinstructions,seeStartWorkstationonaWindowsHostonpage 53.
ChooseFile>Openandbrowsetotheconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)forthevirtual
machine.
SeeVirtualMachineLocationonpage 150.
ChooseVM>Power>PowerOn.
IfyouneedtoentertheBIOSsetupfortheguestoperatingsystem,chooseVM >
Power>PowerOntoBIOS.
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Chapter 7 Getting Started with Virtual Machines
Clickanywhereinsidethevirtualmachineconsoletogivethevirtualmachine
controlofyourmouseandkeyboard.
Tologontotheoperatingsysteminthevirtualmachine,typeyournameand
passwordjustasyouwouldonaphysicalcomputer.
Start a Virtual Machine That Is Running in the Background

IfyoudonotpoweroffavirtualmachinewhenyouexitWorkstation,thevirtual
machinecontinuestoruninthebackground.Tostartthevirtualmachine,usethe
powerstatusicononthehosttoopenthevirtualmachinesconsole.
BydefaultWorkstationisconfiguredtodisplayapowerstatusiconinthenotification
areaofthehoststaskbarevenwhenWorkstationisnotrunning.
Ifthisiconisnotvisible,beforeyoubegin,usetheWorkspacetaboftheWorkstation
preferenceseditortodisplayit.SeeIntroductiontoWorkstationPreferenceson
page 67.
To start a virtual machine that is running in the background
1
Clickthepowerstatusiconinthenotificationareaofthehoststaskbar.
Selectavirtualmachinefromthelistthatappearsinthetooltip.
Thelistcontainsthevirtualmachinesandteamsthatbelongtotheuserwhois
loggedin.
Workstationstartsanddisplaystheconsoleviewofthevirtualmachine.
Start a Virtual Machine by Using VM Streaming

BeginningwithWorkstation7.0,youcannowstreamavirtualmachinefromaWeb
server.Youcanstartthevirtualmachineshortlyafterthedownloadprocessbegins.
Beforeyoubegin,determinetheURLofthevirtualmachineandverifythattheWeb
serveronwhichitresidesiscorrectlyconfigured.SeeMakeVirtualMachines
AvailableforStreamingfromaWebServeronpage 230.
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To start a virtual machine by using VM streaming

1
Openacommandpromptorterminalwindow.
UsetheplatformspecificcommandwiththeURLofthevirtualmachine:
OnWindowshosts,usevmware.exe http://<path_to_vm>.vmx.
OnLinuxhosts,usevmware http://<path_to_vm>.vmx.
HTTPSisalsosupported.
3
WhenatabforthevirtualmachineopensintheWorkstationwindow,choose
VM >Power>PowerOn.
Virtualdiskdataisfetchedondemandsothatyoucanbeginusingthevirtual
machinebeforethedownloadcompletes.
Thestatusbarindicatestheprogressofthedownload.Pointtotheicononthe
statusbarforVMstreamingandatooltipindicateswhetherstreamingisactiveand
providestheURLoftheWebserver.
(Optional)Tosavethevirtualmachinesothatyoucanuseitwhenyoudonothave
accesstotheWebserver,chooseVM>SaveforOfflineUse.
Usingthissettingalsoallowsyoutopausedownloadingbypoweringoffthe
virtualmachinebeforestreamingisfinished.Youcanrestartlaterbypoweringon
thevirtualmachine.ItalsoallowsyoutousetheFile>Opencommandtoopenthe
virtualmachineafteryoucloseit.
Whenyoupoweroffastreamedvirtualmachine,youarepromptedtosaveordiscard
changes.Ifyoudiscardchanges,thedirectorythatwascreatedonyourlocalmachine
andallthevirtualmachinedataaredeleted.
Virtual Machine Location

Bydefault,virtualmachinefilesarestoredinthevirtualmachinesworkingdirectory:
OnWindowshosts,WorkstationstoresvirtualmachinesintheMy Documents
folderoftheuserwhoisloggedinatthetimethevirtualmachineiscreated.
OnWindowsServer2003andWindowsXP,thedefaultfolderis:
Machines\<guestOSname>
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7,thedefaultfolderis:
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Virtual Machines\<guestOSname>
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OnLinuxhosts,Workstationstoresvirtualmachinesin:
<homedir>/vmware/<guestOSname>
Here<homedir>isthehomedirectoryoftheuserwhoisloggedinatthetimethe
virtualmachineiscreated.
TheworkingdirectoryisalsowhereWorkstationstoressuspendedstate(.vmss),
snapshot(.vmsn),andredologfiles.TheGeneraltabofthevirtualmachinesettings
editordisplaysthepathtotheworkingdirectory.SeeIntroductiontoVirtualMachine
Settingsonpage 69.
Shut Down a Virtual Machine

Aswithphysicalcomputers,youcanshutdownaguestoperatingsystembeforeyou
poweroffthevirtualmachineorteam.
YouarenotrequiredtoshutdowntheguestbeforeyouexitWorkstation.Toexit
Workstationbutleavethevirtualmachinerunninginthebackground,seeClosing
VirtualMachinesandExitingWorkstationonpage 71.
To shut down a virtual machine
1
Intheguestsystem,shutdowntheoperatingsystemasyouwouldifyouwere
usingaphysicalmachineratherthanavirtualmachine.
Forexample,inWindowsXP,clickStart>ShutDown.
IntheWorkstationmenubar,chooseVM>PowerOptions>PowerOfftoturnoff
thevirtualmachine.
IfyouusethePowerOffcommandbeforeyoushutdowntheguestoperatingsystem,
thevirtualmachineispoweredoffabruptly.Theeffectislikeusingthepowerbutton
onaphysicalmachine.Youcan,however,configurethePowerOffbuttoninthetoolbar
toshutdowntheoperatingsystembeforepoweringoff.SeeConfigurePowerOffand
ResetOptionsforaVirtualMachineonpage 152.
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Configure Power Off and Reset Options for a Virtual Machine

YoucanconfigurethePowerOfftoolbarbuttontopoweroffthevirtualmachine
abruptlyortosendasignalthatgracefullyshutsdowntheguestoperatingsystem.
Toperformagracefulshutdown,theVMwareToolsservicecomponentissuesa
ShutdownGuestcommandandrunsascripttoshutdowngracefully.
CAUTIONPoweringoffabruptlyworksthesamewayapowerswitchworksonapower
supply.Thepoweriscutoffwithnoconsiderationforworkinprogress.Ifavirtual
machineiswritingtodiskwhenitreceivesaPowerOffcommand,datacorruption
mightoccur.
Similarly,youcanconfiguretheResetbuttontoworkthesamewayasaresetswitch,
sothatitresetsthevirtualmachineabruptly.OryoucanconfiguretheResetbuttonso
thattheVMwareToolsservicesendsarestartsignaltotheguestoperatingsystem.
It thenshutsdowngracefullyandrestarts.
NotallguestoperatingsystemsrespondtoashutdownsignalfromthePowerOff
buttonortoarestartsignalfromtheResetbutton.Ifyouroperatingsystemdoesnot
respondtothesignal,shutdownorrestartfromtheoperatingsystem,asyouwould
withaphysicalmachine.
To configure the Power Off and Reset options for a virtual machine
1
Thevirtualmachinecanbepoweredonoroff.
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectPower.
InthePowerControlssectionofthedialogbox,setthePowerOffbuttontoshut
downtheguestgracefullyortoabruptlypowerthevirtualmachineoff.
Theselectionyoumakeisreflectedinthetooltipyouseewhenyoupointtothe
PowerOffbutton.
SpecifyhowyouwanttheResetbuttontowork.
Ifyouwanttochangeanyoftheothersettingsandneedmoreinformation,click
Help.
ForUNIXguests,topassXtoolkitoptionswhenyoupoweronavirtualmachine,
seeAppendix A,Appendix:WorkstationCommandLineReference,on
page 485.
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Download Components
Workstationliststhecomponentsthatmustbeinstalledtoimprovetheuserexperience
oftheproduct.Beforeyoubegin,upgradetothelatestversionofWorkstation.Checkto
makesureyouhavenetworkconnectivity.
1
TheSoftwareUpdatesdialogboxappearswithalistofcomponentsreadyfor
download.IfyouareconnectedtotheInternetyoucandecidewhetherto
downloadtheupdatesorreceivearemindertodownloadlater.
IfyouareusingaproxytoconnecttotheInternet,completethefollowingtasks:
a
SelectVM>InstallVMwareTools.
TheSoftwareUpdatesdialogboxappears.
Completetheproxycredentialstocontinue,andclickOK.
TheSoftwareUpdatesdialogboxappearswithalistofcomponentsreadyfor
download.
Downloadthecomponent.
SelectDownloadtodownloadthecomponent.
ClickHidetominimizetheDownloadsdialogboxintheWorkstationstatus
bar.Youcanclickthearrowinthestatusbartoopenthedownloadprogress
window.
SelectDoNotDownloadtobypassthedownload.
SelectRemindLatertobypassthedownloadnowandreceiveareminderlater
todownloadthecomponent.
(Optional)ClicktheAlwaysdotheselectedactioncheckboxtoapplyyour
preferenceforfuturecomponentdownloads.
YourpreferenceissavedunderEdit>Preferences>Updates.
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Poweronandlogintothevirtualmachine.
Ifyouhavenotdownloadedthecomponentyet,VMwarerecommendsthatyoudo
soatthistime.OnWindows,aninfobarappearstoremindyoutoinstallthe
component.
IfthecomponentyoudownloadedisaneworupgradedversionofVMwareTools,
clickeitherUpdateTools,InstallTools,orReinstallToolsandproceedwithyour
installationbasedonyourguestoperatingsystemrequirements.
FormoreinformationoninstallingVMwareToolsonvariousguestoperatingsystems,
seeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.
Pausing a Virtual Machine

Thepausefeaturecausesavirtualmachinetoceaseoperationtemporarily,without
poweringofforsuspending.Usethepausefeaturewhenavirtualmachineisengaged
inanlengthy,processorintensiveactivitythatpreventsyoufromusingyourcomputer
todoamoreimmediatetask.
Whenyoupauseavirtualmachine,thedisplaydimsandaplaybuttonappears,which
youcanclicktounpausethevirtualmachine.Onpausedvirtualmachinesthatare
configuredtodisplayonmorethanonemonitor,eachmonitorhasaplaybutton.
Forvirtualmachinesthatbelongtoateam,youmustpauseandunpauseeachvirtual
machineseparately,whileitisactive.Theplaybuttonappearsjustasitdoesinvirtual
machinesthatdonotbelongtoateam.Theplaybuttonalsoappearsinthethumbnail
imagesofpausedteamvirtualmachinesthatarenotcurrentlyactive.
Pause Feature Limitations

Thepausefeaturehasthefollowingrestrictions:
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ThepausefeaturedoesnotworkwhenavirtualmachineisinUnitymode.You
cannotswitchtoUnitymodewhenavirtualmachineispaused.
Youcannotswitchtoexclusivemodewhenavirtualmachineispaused.
Thepausefeaturedoesnotworkwhenyouareusingtherecord/replayfeatureor
whenthereplaydebuggerisattached.Therecord/replayfeaturedoesnotwork
whenavirtualmachineispaused.
Whenpaused,avirtualmachinedoesnotsendorreceivenetworkpackets.Ifa
virtualmachineispausedformorethanafewminutes,somenetworkconnections
mightbeinterrupted.
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Ifyoutakeasnapshotwhenthevirtualmachineispaused,thevirtualmachineis
notpausedwhenyourestorethatsnapshot.Similarly,ifyoususpendavirtual
machinewhileitispaused,itisnotpausedwhenyouresumethevirtualmachine.
Ifyouinitiatesoftpoweroperationswhenavirtualmachineispaused,those
operationsdonottakeeffectuntilthevirtualmachineisunpaused.
Whileavirtualmachineispaused,LEDsanddevicesremainenabled,butdevice
connectionchangesdonottakeeffectuntilthevirtualmachineisunpaused.
Pause and Unpause a Virtual Machine

Youcanpauseavirtualmachinemultipletimesrangingfromafewsecondstoseveral
minutes.Beforeyoubegin,makesureyoureadthefeaturelimitations.Formore
information,seePauseFeatureLimitationsonpage 154.
To pause and unpause a virtual machine
SelectVM>Pausetopausethevirtualmachine.
Thevirtualmachinedisplaydimsandaplaybuttonappearsoverthedisplay.
Clicktheplaybuttononthevirtualmachinedisplay,ordeselectVM>Pauseto
unpausethevirtualmachine.
Encrypting a Virtual Machine

Youcansecureavirtualmachinefromunauthorizedusebyencryptingitandassigning
apasswordtoit.Afterthevirtualmachineisencrypted,youmustenterthepassword
toopentheencryptedvirtualmachine,ortoremoveencryptionfromit.
CAUTIONBesuretorecordthepasswordyouassigntoanencryptedvirtualmachine.
Toensurethesecurityofencryptedvirtualmachines,Workstationdoesnotprovidea
waytoretrieveapassword.
InthevirtualmachinesummarytabandinFavorites,encryptedvirtualmachinesare
displayedwithalockiconuntilyouenterthepasswordtoopenthevirtualmachine.
Encryptionappliestoallsnapshotsinavirtualmachine.Ifyourestoreasnapshotinan
encryptedvirtualmachine,thevirtualmachineremainsencrypted,whetherornotit
wasencryptedwhenthesnapshotwastaken.Ifyouchangethepasswordforan
encryptedvirtualmachine,thenewpasswordappliestoanysnapshotyourestore,
regardlessofthepasswordineffectwhenthesnapshotwastaken.
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Restrictions on Encryption
Theencryptionfeaturehasthefollowingrestrictions:
Avirtualmachinemustbepoweredoffbeforeyoucanaddorremoveencryption,
orchangetheencryptionpassword.
Theencryptionfeatureworksonlywithvirtualmachinesofvirtualhardware
version5.xorlater.
Youcancreatealinkedclonefromanencryptedvirtualmachine,butyoucannot
encryptorremoveencryptionfromavirtualmachinethatistheparentofalinked
clone.
Thereisoneexceptiontothisrestriction.IfyouusetheConversionwizard(File>
ImportorExport)tocreatealinkedclone,youcancreatealinkedclonewithout
disablingtheencryptionfeaturefortheparentvirtualmachine.Ifyoucreatea
linkedclonethiswayandthenencrypttheparentvirtualmachine,thelinkedclone
cannotreaddatafromthevirtualdiskoftheencryptedparentvirtualmachine.To
fixthisproblem,unencrypttheparentvirtualmachine.
Ifyouplantousetheencryptionfeature,VMwarerecommendsthatyouavoidthis
potentialproblembyusingVM>Clonetocreatealinkedclone.Workstation
disablestheencryptionfeaturefortheparentofalinkedclonethatiscreatedwith
theVM>Cloneoption.
Youcannotencryptvirtualmachinesthataremembersofateam,andyoucannot
addanencryptedvirtualmachinetoateam.
Ifmorethanoneunencryptedvirtualmachinessharethesamevirtualdisk,and
youencryptoneofthevirtualmachines,thevirtualdiskbecomesunusableforthe
unencryptedvirtualmachines.
Youcannotencryptavirtualmachinesthathasarecording.
YoucannotencryptACEvirtualmachines.Ifyouhaveanencryptedvirtual
machineyoucannotenableACEfeatures.
Encrypt a Virtual Machine

Ifyouforgetyourpassword,Workstationdoesnotprovideawaytoretrieveit.Before
youbegin,poweroffthevirtualmachine.Makesureyoureadthefeaturelimitations.
Formoreinformation,seeRestrictionsonEncryptiononpage 156.
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To encrypt a virtual machine

1
SelectVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstab,andselectEncryption.
SelectEncrypt.
Enterthepassword,andenterthepasswordagaintoconfirmit.
Besuretorecordthepassword.
SelectEncrypt.
Remove Encryption from a Virtual Machine

Removingencryptionfromavirtualmachineauthorizesuserswhologintothehost
withyourcredentialstostartthevirtualmachine.Beforeyoubegin,poweroffthe
virtualmachine.Makesurethatyouremoveanysensitiveinformationfromthevirtual
machine.
To remove encryption from a virtual machine
1
SelectVM>Settings.
SelectRemoveEncryption.
Enteryourpassword.
SelectRemoveEncryption.
Change the Password for an Encrypted Virtual Machine

Ifyouforgetyournewpassword,Workstationdoesnotprovideawaytoretrieveit.
Beforeyoubegin,poweroffthevirtualmachine.
To change the password for an encrypted virtual machine
1
SelectVM>Settings.
SelectChangePassword.
Enteryourcurrentpasswordandthenewpassword,andenterthenewpassword
againtoconfirmit.
Besuretorecordthenewpassword.
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Delete a Virtual Machine

YoucanuseaWorkstationcommandtodeleteavirtualmachineandallofitsfilesfrom
thehostfilesystem.
If,insteadofdeletingthevirtualmachinealtogether,youwanttoremoveitfromthe
Favoriteslistorfromateam,seeRemoveanItemfromtheFavoritesListonpage 64
orRemoveaVirtualMachinefromaTeamonpage 277.
CAUTIONDonotdeleteavirtualmachineifitwasusedtomakealinkedclonevirtual
machineandyoustillwanttousethelinkedclone.Ifthelinkedclonecannotfindthe
virtualdiskfilesfromtheparentvirtualmachine,thelinkedclonestopsworking.
To delete a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>DeletefromDisk.
Controlling the Virtual Machine Display

YoucancontrolthewayWorkstationdisplaysvirtualmachinesandtheirapplications.
Forexample,youcanusefullscreenmodetohidethehostuserinterfacealtogether,or
youcanuseUnitymodesothatapplicationsfromthevirtualmachineappearonthe
hostdesktopandhidetherestofthevirtualmachineuserinterface.
Using Unity Mode

InvirtualmachineswithLinuxorWindows2000orlaterguestoperatingsystems,you
canswitchtoUnitymodetodisplayapplicationsdirectlyonthehostdesktop.
The taskbardisplaysitemsforopenapplicationsinUnitymodejustasitdoesforopen
hostapplications.
Thevirtualmachineconsoleviewishidden,andyoucanminimizetheWorkstation
window.
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Youcanusekeyboardshortcutstocopy,cut,andpasteimages,plaintext,formatted
text,andemailattachmentsbetweenapplicationsonyourhostmachineandvirtual
machineapplicationsdisplayedinUnitymode.Youcanalsodraganddropandcopy
andpastefilesbetweenhostandguest.SeeUsingtheCopyandPasteFeatureon
page 189andUsingtheDragandDropFeatureonpage 187.
NOTEIfyousaveafileorattempttoopenafilefromanapplicationinUnitymode,the
filesystemyouseeisthefilesysteminsidethevirtualmachine.Youcannotopenafile
fromthehostoperatingsystemorsaveafiletothehostoperatingsystem.
WhenavirtualmachineisinUnitymode,youcanaccessthevirtualmachinesStart
menu(forWindowsvirtualmachines)orApplicationsmenu(forLinuxvirtual
machines)bypointingtooneofthefollowinglocations:
OnWindowshosts,pointtotheStartmenu.
OnLinuxhosts,pointtotheupperleftcorneroftheprimarymonitor.
Forsomeguestandhostoperatingsystems,ifyouhavemultiplemonitors,application
windowsinUnitymodecanappearonlyonthemonitorthatissetastheprimary
display.IfthehostandguestareWindowsXPorlater,theapplicationwindowscan
appearonadditionalmonitors
OnWindows,Unitymodeisnotavailableinthefullscreenmode.Whenyoucycle
throughvirtualmachines,allthevirtualmachinesthatareinUnitymodedonot
appear.
NOTEOnLinuxguests,Unitymodeissupportedexperimentally.
Set Preferences for Unity Mode

YoucanconfigureUnitymodesothatyoucanaccessavirtualmachinesStartor
Applicationsmenufromthehostsdesktop.Youcanalsospecifythebordercolor
aroundapplicationsthatruninUnitymodeonthedesktop.
AccessingavirtualmachinesStartorApplicationsmenufromthehostsdesktop
enablesyoutostartapplicationsinthevirtualmachinethatarenotopeninUnitymode.
Ifyoudonotenablethisfeature,youmustexitUnitymodetodisplaythevirtual
machinesStartorApplicationsmenuintheconsoleview.
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Tohelpdistinguishbetweentheapplicationwindowsthatbelongtovariousvirtual
machines,youcangivethemdifferentcolors.Forexample,youcansettheapplications
foronevirtualmachinetohaveablueborderandsettheapplicationsforanother
virtualmachinetohaveayellowborder.
YoucanalsosetaWorkstationpreferencetominimizetheWorkstationwindowwhen
youenterUnitymode.
To set preferences for Unity mode
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectUnity.
CompletethesettingspanelandclickOK.
Usethefollowinginformationtodeterminewhichfeaturestoenable:
Toidentifytheapplicationasbelongingtothisvirtualmachineratherthanthe
host,usetheShowborderscheckboxtosetawindowborder.UsetheShow
badgescheckboxtodisplayalogointhetitlebar.
Touseacustomcolor,clickthecoloredrectangletoaccessthecolorchooser
onLinuxhosts.OnWindowshosts,clickChoosecolor.
IfyouselecttheEnableapplicationsmenucheckbox,oneofthefollowing
menusappearswhenyoupointtocorrectlocationonthehostsdesktop:
AStartmenuappearsonWindowsguests.
AnApplicationsmenuappearsonLinuxguests.
OnWindowshosts,pointtotheStartmenu.OnLinuxhosts,pointtothe
upperleftcorneroftheprimarymonitor.Themenuhasthesamecolorborder
asthevirtualmachineapplicationwindows.
5
RepeatthisprocessforeachvirtualmachinethatyouplantouseinUnitymode.
(Optional)ToautomaticallyminimizetheWorkstationwindowwhenyouenter
Unitymode,dothefollowing:
a
ClicktheDisplaytab.
SelectMinimizeWorkstationwhenenteringUnityandclickOK.
ThisWorkstationpreferenceisusedforallvirtualmachines.
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Enter and Exit Unity Mode

InUnitymode,avirtualmachinesapplicationslooklikeotherapplicationwindowson
thehost,exceptthattheyhaveacoloredwindowborderandaVMwarelogointhe
windowstitlebar.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethevirtualmachinemeetstheserequirements:
ThevirtualmachinemustbeaWorkstation6.xorhighervirtualmachine.
VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledandrunninginthevirtualmachinesguest
operatingsystem.TheversionofVMwareToolsmustbetheversionincludedin
Workstation7.0.Forinstructions,seeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.
TheguestoperatingsysteminthevirtualmachinemustbeLinuxorWindows2000
orlater.
ForLinuxguestsandhosts,VMwarerecommendsthatyouuseamodernversion
ofMetacityorKDE.PerformanceonLinuxdependsonacombinationofvariables
suchasthesystem,theapplicationsthatarerunning,andtheamountofRAM.
To enter and exit Unity mode

1
Inthevirtualmachine,opentheapplicationstouseinUnitymode.
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseView>Unity.
AcheckmarkappearsnexttoUnityinthemenu.
ThevirtualmachinesconsoleviewintheWorkstationwindowishidden,andthe
guestsopenapplicationsappearinapplicationwindowsonthehostsdesktop.
ToexitUnitymode,displaytheWorkstationwindowandchooseView>Unityto
removethecheckmarknexttoUnity,orclickExitUnityinthevirtualmachines
consoleview.
Access a Virtual Machines Start or Applications Menu in Unity Mode

Ifconfiguredtodoso,avirtualmachineinUnitymodecandisplayaStartor
ApplicationsmenuabovethehostsStartorApplicationsmenu.Thisfeatureenables
easyaccesstoapplicationsinthevirtualmachinethatarenotopeninUnitymode.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythatthevirtualmachineisconfiguredtousethisfeature.
See SetPreferencesforUnityModeonpage 159.
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To access a virtual machines Start or Applications menu in Unity mode

1
ToenterUnitymode,poweronavirtualmachine,openoneormoreapplications,
andchooseView>UnityfromtheWorkstationmenubar.
TodisplaythevirtualmachinesStartorApplicationsmenuonthehost,dooneof
thefollowing:
PointtotheStartmenuonWindowshostsortotheupperleftcornerofthe
primarymonitoronLinuxhosts.
PressCtrl+Shift+U.
IfyouhavemultiplevirtualmachinesinUnitymode,youcannavigate
betweenmultipleStartandApplicationsmenusbyusingstandard
navigationkeyssuchasarrowkeys,Tab,andShift+Tab.Youcanselectoneby
usingstandardkeyssuchasEnterandthespacebar.
Use Full Screen Mode

Infullscreenmode,thevirtualmachinedisplayfillsthescreen,sothatyoucannotsee
thebordersoftheWorkstationwindow.
Figure 7-1. Full Screen Toolbar on a Windows Host
Cycle multiple monitors button
Next VM button
System menu
Selector arrow
Beforeyoubegin,makesuretheguestoperatingsystemhasVMwareToolsinstalled.
SeeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.
NOTEIfyouplantorunthevirtualmachineinfullscreenmodeonalaptopcomputer,
alsosettheguesttoreportbatteryinformation.SeeReportBatteryInformationinthe
Guestonpage 180.
To use full screen mode
162
Selectthevirtualmachineandmakesureitispoweredon.
Ifyouhavemultiplemonitors,movetheWorkstationwindowintothemonitorto
useforfullscreenmode.
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ChooseView>FullScreen.
Ifyoucannotenterfullscreenmodewhentheguestsdisplaymodeissmallerthan
thehostsdisplaymode,tryaddingthefollowinglinetothevirtualmachines
configuration(.vmx)file:
mks.maxRefreshRate=1000
Formoreinformationabouttheconfigurationfile,seeFilesThatMakeUpa
4
(Optional)Youcanperformthefollowingoptionaltasks:
Toswitchfromfullscreenmodebacktowindowedmode,whichshowsthe
virtualmachineinsideaWorkstationwindowagain,pressCtrl+Alt+Enter.
Tohidethefullscreentoolbarandmenuswhileyouareusingfullscreen
mode,clickthepushpiniconandmovethemousepointeroffofthetoolbar.
Thisactionunpinsthetoolbar.Thetoolbarslidesuptothetopofthemonitor
anddisappears.Todisplaythetoolbaragain,pointtothetopofthescreen
untilthetoolbarappears.
Ifyoucannotdisplaythefullscreentoolbar,seeSetPreferencesforAutofit,
FullScreenMode,andUnityModeonpage 164.
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Toswitchfromonepoweredonvirtualmachinetoanotherwhileinfull
screenmode,dooneofthefollowing:
Togotoaspecificpoweredonvirtualmachine,clickthevirtualmachine
arrow,asshowninFigure 71,andselectthevirtualmachine.
Togotothenextvirtualmachine,pressCtrl+Alt+rightarrow,orpress
Ctrl+Alt+leftarrowtogotothepreviousvirtualmachine.
UsetheVMmenuonthetoolbartoaccesstheWorkstationVMmenu
commands.
UsetheSystemmenutoswitchtoexclusivemodeortousetheautofit
commandtoadjustscreenresolutiononWindowshosts.UsetheViewmenu
toswitchtoUnitymodeorexclusivemode,ortousetheautofitcommandto
adjustscreenresolutiononLinuxhosts.
Todisplaythevirtualmachineacrosstwoormoremonitorsinfullscreen
mode,seeUseMultipleMonitorsforOneVirtualMachineonpage 166.
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Set Preferences for Autofit, Full Screen Mode, and Unity Mode
Youcansetpreferencesforhowthedisplaysettingsofallvirtualmachinesadjusttofit
theWorkstationwindow.TheseadjustmentsoccurwhenyouresizetheWorkstation
windoworwhenyouchangethedisplaysettingsinsidetheguest.
Youcanalsoconfigurehowthehostandguestdisplaysettingsinteractwhenyouenter
fullscreenmodeandUnitymode.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguestoperating
systemsinthevirtualmachines.
To set preferences for autofit, full screen mode, and Unity mode
1
ClicktheDisplaytab.
SelectoneormorecheckboxesintheAutofitsection.
UsethefollowinginformationtohelpyoucompletetheFullScreensection:
SelectAutofitguesttochangetheguestsresolutionsettingstomatchthe
displaysettingsofthehostwhileyouareinfullscreenmode.
SelectStretchguesttoretaintheguestsresolutionsettingsbutstillhavethe
displayfillthefullscreen.
Thissettingisusefulifyouneedtoretainaguestslowresolutionsettings.
For example,usethissettingtoplayoldercomputergamesthatrunonlyat
lowresolutions.
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SelectCenterguesttohavebothhostandguestretaintheirowndisplay
settingswhileyouareinfullscreenmode.
IfyoudeselectShowtoolbaredgewhenunpinned,theedgeofthefullscreen
toolbardoesnotappear.Whenyouplaceyourpointercursornearthetopof
thescreenthefullscreentoolbarappearsforafewseconds.Todisplaythe
edgeofthefullscreentoolbar,usethepreferenceseditorandselectShow
toolbaredgewhenunpinnedagain.
Ifyouplantohavemultiplevirtualmachinesrunning,withsomeinUnitymode
andsomeaccessibleonlyintheWorkstationwindow,donotselectthe
Minimize WorkstationwhenenteringUnitycheckbox.
ClickOK.
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Use Quick Switch Mode

Inquickswitchmode,thevirtualmachinesscreenisresizedtofillthescreen
completely,exceptforthespacethatthetabsoccupy.
Quickswitchmodeissimilartofullscreenmodewiththeadditionoftabsatthetopof
thescreenforswitchingfromonevirtualmachinetoanother.Theotherdifferenceis
thatyoucanusequickswitchmodewithvirtualmachinesthatarepoweredonoroff.
To use quick switch mode
1
ChooseView>QuickSwitch.
(Optional)ToviewtheWorkstationmenuandtoolbarwhileusingquickswitch
mode,pointtothetopofthescreen.
(Optional)Toresizeaguestoperatingsystemsdisplaysothatitfillsasmuchofthe
screenaspossibleinquickswitchmode,chooseView>FitGuestNow.
Toexitquickswitchmode,pointtothetopofthescreenandchooseView>Quick
Switch.
Use Exclusive Mode

Youmightwanttouseexclusivemodetorungraphicsintensiveapplications,suchas
games,infullscreenmode.
Likefullscreenmode,exclusivemodecausestheWorkstationvirtualmachinedisplay
tofillthescreen.Drawbackstousingexclusivemodeincludethefollowing:
Thefullscreentoolbarisnotavailableinexclusivemode.Toconfigureanyvirtual
machinesettings,youneedtoexitexclusivemode(pressCtrl+Alt).
OnWindows,exclusivemodedoesnotusemultiplemonitors.
Exclusivemodecausesthehostresolutiontoresize,whichcancauseitemsonthe
hostdesktoptobemoved.
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To use exclusive mode

1
Ifyouhavemultiplemonitors,movetheWorkstationwindowontothemonitor
youwanttouse.
PressCtrl+Alt+Enter.
Onthefullscreentoolbar,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindowshosts,clicktheWorkstationicontodisplaythesystemmenu
andchooseExclusiveMode.
OnLinuxhosts,clicktheViewmenuonthefullscreentoolbarandchoose
ExclusiveMode.
Toexitexclusivemodeandreturntowindowedmode,dothefollowing:
a
PressCtrl+Alttoexitexclusivemodeandreturntofullscreenmode.
PressCtrl+Alt+Entertoexitfullscreenmodeandreturntothewindowed
mode.
Use Multiple Monitors for One Virtual Machine

Ifyourhosthasamultiplemonitordisplay,youcanconfigureavirtualmachinetouse
twoormoremonitors.
OnWindowsguests,youdonotneedtousetheWindowsdisplaypropertiessettings
toconfiguremultiplemonitors.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethevirtualmachinemeetstheserequirements:
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ThevirtualmachineisaWorkstation6.xorhighervirtualmachine.
VMwareToolsisinstalledandrunninginthevirtualmachinesguestoperating
system.TheversionofVMwareToolsmustbetheversionincludedin
Workstation 7.0.Forinstructions,seeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.
TheguestoperatingsysteminthevirtualmachineisWindowsXP,WindowsVista,
Windows7,orLinux.
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Onthehost,thedisplaysettingsformonitorsmustbesetinacompatibletopology.
Forexample,theleftmostmonitorcannotbeplacedlowerthananyothermonitor
inthedisplaytopology.Itdoesnotmatterifthemonitorshavedifferentresolutions
ororientations.Whenenteringfullscreenmode,themonitorthatcontainsthe
Workstationwindowcannotbelowerthananothermonitor.
Putanotherway:WhenyouusetheWindowsdisplaypropertiescontrols,ifyou
selectamonitoriconandbegintodragittoanewlocation,atooltipdisplaysthe
coordinates.Ifacoordinateshownforthenewlocationoftheiconisanegative
number,thatlocationwillnotwork.
To use multiple monitors for one virtual machine

1
ClicktheDisplaytabandintheFullScreensection,selectAutofitguestandclick
OK.
Selectavirtualmachine.
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectDisplay.
IfDisplaydoesnotappearinthelistontheHardwaretab,itprobablymeansthat
thevirtualmachineisaWorkstation4or5.xvirtualmachine.OnlyWorkstation6.x
orhighervirtualmachineshavethisfeature.
OnthesettingspanelfortheDisplaytab,specifyhowtodeterminethenumberof
monitors.
Inmostcases,selectUsehostsettingformonitors.Ifthevirtualmachineisrunon
ahostthatisusingonemonitor,thevirtualmachinedetectsonlyonemonitor.But
ifthesamevirtualmachineismovedtoahostthatisusingtwomonitors,the
virtualmachinedetectstwomonitors.
Thenumberofmonitorsdependsonthenumberofmonitorsthatthehost
recognizesatstartup.Forexample,ifyoupoweronalaptopthatisundocked,the
hostsettingisonemonitor,evenifyoulaterplacetherunninglaptopinadocking
stationthatusestwomonitors.
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Similarly,ifthehosthasonemonitorandyoususpendthevirtualmachineand
changethehosttohavetwomonitors,whenyouresumethevirtualmachine,itis
stillconfiguredtouseonemonitor.Youmustrestartthevirtualmachinetodetect
thenewsettings.
Youmightwanttosetaspecificnumberofmonitorsif,forexample,youare
writinganapplicationtobedisplayedonmultiplemonitorsbutthehostyouare
usinghasonlyonemonitor.
8
Ifyousetaspecificnumberofmonitors,specifyasufficientmaximumresolution.
Theresolutionofahostmonitorthatyouusetodisplaythevirtualmachinemust
notexceedtheMaximumresolutionsettingthatyouspecify.
PoweronthevirtualmachineandchooseView>FullScreen.
Formoreinformation,seeUseFullScreenModeonpage 162.
Makesurethevirtualmachineiscompletelypoweredon.Ifwhenyoupoweron
thevirtualmachine,itissettoberestoredfromasnapshotandifbackground
snapshotsareenabled,poweringonmighttakelonger.Inthiscase,displayingthe
virtualmachinetotwomonitorsmightnotworkcorrectlyatfirst.Ifyouseethis
issue,gotoEdit>Preferences>Priorityanddeselectthecheckboxcalled
Take andrestoresnapshotsinthebackground.
10
Onthefullscreentoolbar,clicktheCycleMultipleMonitorsbutton.
Thisbuttonisavailableonlyifthehosthasmultiplemonitors.Thisbuttonisshown
inFigure 71,FullScreenToolbaronaWindowsHost,onpage 162.
ClickingtheCycleMultipleMonitorsbuttoncausestheguestoperatingsystems
desktoptoextendtotheadditionalmonitorormonitors.
Ifthevirtualmachinedoesnotappearcorrectly,usethesystemmenu(on
Windowshosts)ortheViewmenu(onLinuxhosts)andselectAutofitGuest.
11
Ifyouhavemorethantwomonitors,andyouwantthevirtualmachinetouse
them,clicktheCycleMultipleMonitorsbuttonagain.
Theorderinwhichthemonitorsareuseddependsontheorderinwhichthe
monitorswereaddedtothehostoperatingsystem.
12
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Toreturntousingonlyonemonitor,clicktheCycleMultipleMonitorsbutton
untilthedisplayreturnstoonemonitor.
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Use Multiple Monitors for Multiple Virtual Machines

Ifyourhosthasamultiplemonitordisplay,youcanrunadifferentvirtualmachineon
eachmonitor.
To use multiple monitors for multiple virtual machines
1
ToopenmultipleWorkstationwindows,chooseFile>New>Window.
OnLinuxhosts,althoughyoucanhavemultipleWorkstationwindows,the
windowsoperateinasingleWorkstationprocess,whichsavesmemoryandallows
preferencesandFavoriteslistitemstobeshared.
(Optional)OnLinuxhosts,torunseparateWorkstationprocessesindifferent
X servers,startthesecondinstanceofWorkstationwiththe-Wflag.
Inaterminalwindow,enterthefollowingcommand:
vmware -W &
StartoneormorevirtualmachinesineachWorkstationwindow.
Ifyouhaveavirtualmachinerunninginonewindowandyouwanttorunthat
virtualmachineinanotherWorkstationwindow,closethevirtualmachineinthe
firstwindowbeforeyouattempttoopenitinanother.
DrageachWorkstationwindowtothemonitoronwhichyouwanttouseit.
Toswitchmouseandkeyboardinputfromthevirtualmachineonthefirstmonitor
tothevirtualmachineonthesecondmonitor,movethemousepointerfromone
screentotheotherandclickinsidethesecondmonitor.
Fitting the Workstation Console to the Virtual Machine Display

TheAutofitandFitcommandsintheViewmenuallowyoutomatchtheWorkstation
consolewiththeguestoperatingsystemdisplaysize.
WithbothAutofitcommandstoggledoff,Workstationdoesnotautomaticallymatch
windowsizesasyouwork.ScrollbarsappearintheconsolewhentheWorkstation
consoleissmallerthantheguestoperatingsystemdisplay.Ablackborderappearsin
theconsolewhentheconsoleislargerthantheguestoperatingsystemdisplay.
TheAutofitandFitcommandsaredescribedinTable 71.
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Table 7-1. Autofit and Fit Commands

View Menu
Command
Description
AutofitWindow
CausestheWorkstationconsoletomaintainthesizeofthevirtual
machinesdisplayresolution.Iftheguestoperatingsystemchangesits
resolution,theWorkstationconsoleresizestomatchthenewresolution.
AutofitGuest
Causesthevirtualmachinetoresizetheguestdisplayresolutionto
matchthesizeoftheWorkstationconsole.
FitWindowNow
CausestheWorkstationconsoletomatchthecurrentdisplaysizeofthe
FitGuestNow
Causestheguestoperatingsystemdisplaysizetomatchthecurrent
Workstationconsole.
AnAutofitcommandistoggledonoroffeachtimeyouselectit.IfAutofitWindow
andAutofitGuestaretoggledon,youcanmanuallyresizetheWorkstationconsole,
buttheguestoperatingsystemcanalsoresizetheWorkstationconsole.
TheFitWindowNoworFitGuestNowcommandisredundantifthecorresponding
Autofitcommandisactivebecausetheconsoleandtheguestoperatingsystemdisplay
arethesamesize.
Display Resizing in Linux Guests

ForLinuxguests,thefollowingconsiderationsapplytodisplayresizing:
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Ifyouhavevirtualmachinesthatweresuspendedunderaversionof
VMware Toolsearlierthanversion5.5,displayresizingdoesnotworkuntilthe
virtualmachinesarecompletelypoweredoffandpoweredonagain.(Rebooting
theguestoperatingsystemisnotsufficient.)
UpdateVMwareToolstothelatestversionintheguestforthedisplayresizing
optionstowork.
BeforeyoucanusetheAutofitGuestandFitGuestNowoptions,VMwareTools
mustberunning.
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AlltherestrictionsforresizingthattheX11Windowssystemimposesonphysical
hostsapplytoguests:
Youcannotresizetoamodethatisnotdefined.TheVMwareTools
configurationscriptcanaddalargenumberofmodelines,butyoucannot
resizein1pixelincrementsasyoucaninWindows.VMwareToolsadds
modelinesin100pixelincrements.Thismeansyoucannotresizeaguest
largerthanthelargestmodedefinedinyourX11configurationfile.Ifyou
attempttoresizelargerthanthatmode,ablackborderappearsandtheguest
stopsincreasing.
TheXserveralwaysstartsupinthelargestresolutionthatisdefined.
You cannotavoidthisrestriction.TheXDM/KDM/GDMloginscreenalways
appearsatthelargestsize.ButGnomeandKDEallowyoutospecifyyour
preferredresolution,sothatyoucanreducetheguestdisplaysizeafteryou
login.
Display Resizing in Solaris Guests

ForSolaris10guests,thefollowingconsiderationsapplytodisplayresizing:
UpdateVMwareToolstoversion7.0intheguestforthedisplayresizingoptions
towork.
BeforeyoucanusetheAutofitGuestandFitGuestNowoptions,VMwareTools
mustberunning.
Solaris10guestsmustberunninganXorgXserverandJDS/Gnome.
Working with Nonstandard Resolutions

Aguestoperatingsystemanditsapplicationsmightreactunexpectedlywhenthe
WorkstationconsolesizeisnotastandardVESAresolution(640480,800600,
1024768,andsoon).
Forexample,theAutofitGuestandFitGuestNowcommandsallowyourguest
operatingsystemscreenresolutiontobesetsmallerthan640480,butsomeinstallers
donotrunatresolutionssmallerthan640480.Programsmightrefusetorun.Error
messagesmightincludesuchphrasesasVGA Required to InstallorYou must
have VGA to install.
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Useoneofthefollowingstrategiestoworkaroundthisproblemwithnonstandard
resolutions:
Ifyourhostcomputersscreenresolutionishighenough,youcanenlargethe
windowandchooseFitGuestNow.
Ifyourhostcomputersscreenresolutiondoesnotallowyoutoenlargethe
Workstationconsolesufficiently,youcanmanuallysettheguestoperating
systemsscreenresolutionto640480orlarger.
Configuring Video and Sound

Forbestcolorandgraphicsdisplay,youmustcoordinatehostandguestcolorsettings.
WorkstationalsosupportsgamesandapplicationsthatuseDirectX9accelerated
graphics,butyoumustperformsome3Dpreparationtasksonthehostandguest.
Withregardstosoundsupport,Workstationusuallyinstallsthenecessarydrivers,but
onsomeoftheoldestandnewestguestoperatingsystems,youmustmanuallyinstall
adriver.
Setting Screen Color Depth

Thenumberofscreencolorsavailableintheguestoperatingsystemdependsonthe
screencolorsettingofthehostoperatingsystem.
Virtualmachinessupport:
16color(VGA)mode
8bitpseudocolor
16bitsperpixel(16significantbitsperpixel)
32bitsperpixel(24significantbitsperpixel)
Ifthehostisin15bitcolormode,theguestoperatingsystemscolorsettingcontrols
offer15bitmodeinplaceof16bitmode.
Ifthehostisin24bitcolormode,theguestoperatingsystemscolorsettingcontrols
offer24bitmodeinplaceof32bitmode.
Ifyourunaguestoperatingsystemsetforagreaternumberofcolorsthanyourhost
operatingsystemisusing,youcanencounterproblems.Insomecases,forexample,the
colorsintheguestarenotcorrect.Inothers,theguestoperatingsystemcannotusea
graphicalinterface.
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Youcantryeitherofthefollowingsolutions:
Increasethenumberofcolorsavailableonthehost.
Decreasethenumberofcolorsusedintheguest.
Forbestperformance,usethesamenumberofcolorsintheguestandonthehost.
Changing Screen Color Depth on the Host

Ifyouchoosetochangethecolorsettingsonthehostoperatingsystem,shutdownall
guestoperatingsystems,poweroffthevirtualmachines,andcloseWorkstation.
Followstandardproceduresforchangingthecolorsettingsonyourhostoperating
systemandrestartWorkstationandthevirtualmachines.
Changing Screen Color Depth in the Guest

Theapproachyoutaketochangethecolorsettingsintheguestoperatingsystem
dependsontheguestoperatingsystem.
Followtheprocessforchangingscreencolorsintheguestoperatingsystem:
InaWindowsguest,theDisplayPropertiescontrolpaneloffersonlythosesettings
thataresupported.
InaLinuxorFreeBSDguest,youmustchangethecolordepthbeforeyoustartthe
Xserver,oryoumustrestarttheXserveraftermakingthechanges.
Support for Direct3D Graphics

Totakeadvantageofthe3DcapabilitiesofWorkstation,thevirtualmachinemustbe
runningtheversionofVMwareToolsincludedwithWorkstation7.0.Ifyoumovethe
virtualmachineandwanttousethe3Dcapabilities,besureyouhavethecorrect
versionofVMwareToolsinstalled.
Accelerated 3-D Restrictions

SupportforapplicationsthatuseDirectX9acceleratedgraphicsappliesonlyto
WindowsXPguests,onhostsrunningWindowsXP,WindowsVista,Windows7,or
Linux.
Thisfeaturecurrentlyhasthefollowingrestrictions:
WorkstationnowofferssupportforDirectXgamesandapplicationswithDirectX
versions9andlower.
Supportfor3Dapplicationsisnotoptimizedforperformance.
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OpenGLapplicationsruninsoftwareemulationmode.
Youcannotusetherecord/replayfeaturetorecorda3Dapplication.
Prepare a Host for Accelerated 3-D

Bydefault,Direct3DtechnologyisenabledforWorkstation6.xandlatervirtual
machines.Youmustpreparethehostfirst,thevirtualmachinesecond,andtheguest
operatingsystemlast.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethehostoperatingsystemisWindowsXP,WindowsVista,
Windows7,orLinux.ForWindowshosts,makesureyouhaveavideocardthat
supportsDirectX9andthelatestDirectXRuntime.ForLinuxhosts,makesurethehost
hasavideocardthatcanrunacceleratedOpenGL2.0.Ifyouareunsure,checkwith
yourhardwaremanufacturer.
To prepare a host for accelerated 3-D
1
Upgradethehostsvideodriverstothelatestversionavailable:
a
ATIGraphicsdriversareavailablefromtheAMDWebsite.
NVIDIAdriversareavailablefromtheNVIDIAWebsite.
IfyouareusingaWindowshost,turnuphardwareaccelerationinthedisplay
properties:
OnWindowsXP,rightclickthedesktopandchooseProperties>Settings>
Advanced>Troubleshoot.
OnWindowsVista,rightclickthedesktopandchoosePersonalize>Display
Settings>AdvancedSettings>Troubleshoot>Changesettings.
OnWindows7,rightclickthedesktopandchoosePersonalize>Screen
resolution>AdvancedSettings>Troubleshoot>Changesettings.
MovetheHardware AccelerationsliderallthewaytotheFullposition.
3
IfyouareusingLinux,testyourLinuxhostforcompatibility:
a
Toverifythatdirectrenderingisenabled,run:
glxinfo | grep direct
Toensurethat3Dapplicationsworkonyourhost,run:
glxgears
Afteryourhostisconfigured,configureavirtualmachineforaccelerated3D.
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Prepare a Virtual Machine for Accelerated 3-D

Beforeyoubegin,makesuretheguestoperatingsystemisWindowsXP,Windows
Vista,orWindows7.
To prepare a virtual machine for accelerated 3-D
1
Makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredoffratherthansuspended.
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectDisplay.
IntheMonitorssection,ifthevirtualmachineissettousemorethanonemonitor,
setittouseonlyonemonitor.
Inthe3DGraphicssection,makesurethecheckboxisselectedandclickOK.
Prepare the Guest Operating System for Accelerated 3-D

Beforeyoubegin,makesuretheguestoperatingsystemisWindowsXP,Windows
Vista,orWindows7andmakesurethelatestversionofVMwareToolsisinstalled.See
To prepare the guest operating system for accelerated 3-D
1
InstallDirectX9.0cEndUserRuntime.
ThisdownloadisavailablefromMicrosoftDownloadCenter.
Installandrunyour3Dapplications.
Configuring Sound
WorkstationprovidesasounddevicecompatiblewiththeSoundBlasterAudioPCIand
supportssoundinWindows95,Windows98,WindowsMe,WindowsNT,Windows
XP,WindowsVista,Windows7,WindowsServer2003,andLinuxguestoperating
systems.TheWorkstationsounddeviceisenabledbydefault.
Soundsupportincludespulsecodemodulation(PCM)outputandinput.Forexample,
youcanplay.wavfiles,MP3audio,andRealMediaaudio.MIDIoutputfromWindows
guestsissupportedbytheWindowssoftwaresynthesizer.MIDIinputisnotsupported,
andnoMIDIsupportisavailableforLinuxguests.
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Workstation7.0forLinuxsupportsAdvancedLinuxSoundArchitecture(ALSA).
WindowsXP,WindowsVista,Windows7andmostrecentLinuxdistributionsdetect
thesounddeviceandinstallappropriatedriversforit.
ForWindowsVistaorWindows7,whenyouinstallVMwareToolsina64bitWindows
VistaorWindows7guestoperatingsystem,asounddriverisinstalled.For32bit
WindowsVistaandWindows7guestsandWindows2003Serverguests,useWindows
Updatetoinstalla32bitdriver.
Installing Sound Drivers in Windows 9x and NT Guests

Windows95,Windows98,Windows98SE,andWindowsNT4.0donothavedrivers
fortheSoundBlasterAudioPCIadapter.Tousesoundintheseguestoperatingsystems,
downloadthedriverfromtheCreativeLabsWebsiteandinstallitintheguest
operatingsystems.
CreativeLabshasWebsitesthatservedifferentregionsoftheworld.The adaptername
varies,dependingontheregion,butusuallyincludesPCI128.
Using Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA)

Workstation7.0supportsAdvancedLinuxSoundArchitecture(ALSA).Earlier
versionsofWorkstationusedtheOpenSoundSystem(OSS)interfaceforsound
playbackandrecordinginvirtualmachinesrunningonLinuxhosts.UnlikeOSS,ALSA
doesnotrequireexclusiveaccesstothesounddevice.Thehostmachineandmultiple
virtualmachinescanplaysoundatthesametime.
BeforeyoucanuseALSAinaVMwarevirtualmachine,yoursystemmustmeetthe
followingrequirements.
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TheALSAlibraryversiononthehostsystemmustbeversion1.0.16orlater.
ThesoundcardonyourhostmachinemustsupportALSA.Thealsaproject.org
Websitemaintainsacurrentlistingofsoundcardsandchipsetsthatsupport
ALSA.
Thecurrentusermusthavetheappropriatepermissionstoaccessthesound
device.
Thesounddeviceonthehostmustnotbemuted.Youcanusethealsamixer
graphicalmixerprogramtoensurethatthesounddeviceisnotmuted.Enter
alsmixerfromacommandprompt.Documentationforthealsamixerprogram
isavailableontheInternet.
VMware, Inc.
Obtaining Sound Card Information

YoucanobtaininformationaboutthesoundcardsonyourLinuxhostsystemfromthe
commandline.
To obtain sound card information by using the command line
Atacommandprompt,enteroneofthefollowingcommands.
Command
Description
lspci | grep -i audio
Tolistthenameandtypeofthesoundchipsetonyourhost
machine
cat /proc/asound/cards
Tolistthesoundcardsonyourhostmachine
alsamixer
Todeterminewhetherthecurrentuserhastheappropriate
permissionstoaccessthesounddevice
Ifthecurrentuserdoesnothavepermissions,anerrorsimilartothefollowingmessage
appears:
alsamixer: function snd_ctl_open failed for default: No such device.
Givetheuserread,write,andexecutepermissionstothedirectorycontainingthe
ASLAsounddevice.Typically,theALSAsounddeviceisfoundin/dev/snd/,butthis
locationmayvary,dependingonyourdistributionofLinux.
Using ALSA in a Virtual Machine
YoucanconfigureyourvirtualmachinetouseALSAintheVirtualMachineSettings
dialogbox.
To use ALSA in a virtual machine
1
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectSoundCard.
MakesurethattheConnectedandConnectatpoweroncheckboxesarechecked.
SelectoneoftheConnectioncheckboxes.
5
VMware, Inc.
Command
Description
Usedefaulthostsoundcard
TohaveWorkstationdetectthehostsoundcard
Specifyhostsoundcard
Tochooseasoundcard.Makeaselectionfromthe
dropdownmenu.Thedropdownmenudisplays
PCMdevicesforeverysoundcardonthehostsystem.
ClickSave.
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Using an ALSA Sound Device that Does Not Appear in Virtual Machine Settings
FollowthisproceduretouseanALSAsounddevicethatdoesnotappearinVirtual
MachineSettings.
To use an ALSA sound device that does not appear in Virtual Machine Settings
1
DeterminethenameoftheALSAsounddevice.
Usingthealsa-utilspackage,atacommandprompt,enteraplay -Ltolist
ALSAsounddevicesonyoursystem.
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectSoundCard.
MakesuretheConnectedandConnectatpoweroncheckboxesarechecked.
SelectSpecifyhostsoundcardandenterthenameoftheALSAsounddeviceto
use,forexamplefront:CARD=Intel,DEV=0
ClickSave.
Overriding the ALS Library Version Requirement

IfyourhostsystemdoesnotmeetALSArequirementsorforsomeotherreasoncannot
useALSA,WorkstationusestheOSSAPIforsoundplaybackandrecording.
Dependingonthesoundcardinthehostcomputer,thesoundqualitymightnotbeas
goodwithanolderversionoftheALSAlibrary.VMwarerecommendsthatyou
upgradethehostsystemtousenewersounddriversandlibraries.
IfthehostsystemhasanolderversionoftheALSAlibrary,youcanoverridethe
requirementforversion1.0.16.
To override the ALSA library version requirement
178
Openthe.vmxvirtualmachineconfigurationfilewithatexteditor.
Addtheoptionsound.skipAlsaVersionCheck = "TRUE".
VMware, Inc.
Install New Software in a Virtual Machine

Installingnewsoftwareinavirtualmachineislikeinstallingitonaphysicalcomputer.
Onlyafewadditionalstepsarerequired.
To install new software in a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>RemovableDevicesandverifythatthevirtualmachinehasaccess
totheCDROMdrive,ISOimagefile,orfloppydrivewheretheinstallation
softwareislocated.
Formoreinformation,seeAddDVDorCDDrivestoaVirtualMachineon
page 250.
ChooseVM>SettingsandusetheMemorysettingspanelontheHardwaretabto
setthefinalmemorysizeforthevirtualmachine.
Someapplicationsuseaproductactivationfeaturethatcreatesakeybasedonthe
virtualhardwareinthevirtualmachinewhereitisinstalled.Changesinthe
configurationofthevirtualmachinemightrequireyoutoreactivatethesoftware.
Tominimizethenumberofsignificantchanges,setthememorysize.
InstallVMwareToolsintheguestoperatingsystem.
SeeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.InstallingVMwareToolsbefore
installingthenewapplicationalsominimizesthelikelihoodofrequiringyouto
reactivatethesoftware.
Installthenewapplicationaccordingtothemanufacturersinstructions.
Disable Acceleration If a Program Does Not Run

Occasionally,whenyouinstallorrunsoftwareinsideavirtualmachine,Workstation
appearstostopresponding.Inmanycases,youcangetpasttheproblemby
temporarilydisablingaccelerationinthevirtualmachine.
Ifthisproblemoccurs,itusuallyoccursearlyintheprogramsexecution.
To disable acceleration
1
Thevirtualmachinecanbepoweredofforon.
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ChooseVM>Settings.
179
OntheHardwaretab,selectProcessors.
IntheExecutionModesection,selectDisableaccelerationforbinarytranslation
andclickOK.
Thissettingslowsdownvirtualmachineperformance.VMwarerecommendsthat
youusethesettingonlyforgettingpasttheproblemwithrunningtheprogram.
Afteryoupassthepointwheretheprogramencounteredproblems,repeatStep 2
throughStep 4anddeselectDisableaccelerationforbinarytranslation.
Report Battery Information in the Guest

Ifyourunavirtualmachineonalaptopinfullscreenmode,configuretheoptionto
reportbatteryinformationintheguest.Thisway,youcandeterminewhenthebattery
isrunninglow.
To report battery information in the guest
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectPower.
SelecttheReportbatteryinformationtoguestcheckboxandclickOK.
Use Host Printers in a Virtual Machine

Youcanprintfromthevirtualmachinetoanyprinteravailabletothehostcomputer
withoutinstallingadditionaldriversinthevirtualmachine.TheWorkstationvirtual
printerfeatureusesThinPrinttechnologytoreplicatethehostmachineprinter
mappinginthevirtualmachine.Whenyouenablethevirtualprinter,Workstation
configuresavirtualserialporttocommunicatewiththehostprinters.
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VMware, Inc.
To use host printers in a virtual machine

1
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectAdd.
IntheAddHardwareWizarddialogbox,selectVirtualPrinterandFinish.
Thedefaultdevicesettingistoconnectthevirtualprinterwhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon.
WhentheACEVirtualPrinterpolicyisenabled,VirtualPrinterisavailableandcannot
beremoveduntiltheACEVirtualPrinterpolicyisdisabled.
Use Removable Devices in a Virtual Machine

Youcanconfigureanumberofremovabledevicesforuseinavirtualmachine,
includingfloppydrives,DVD/CDROMdrives,USBdevices,smartcardreaders,and
networkadapters.
Somedevicescannotbeusedbythehostandguestorbymultipleguestsatthesame
time.Forexample,ifthehostisusingafloppydrive,youmustconnectittothevirtual
machinebeforeyoucanuseitinthevirtualmachine.Touseitonthehostagain,you
mustdisconnectitfromthevirtualmachine.Bydefault,floppydriveisnotconnected
whenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
Forinformationabouthowtoaddorconfigurespecificdevices,seeChapter 16,
ConnectingDevices,onpage 331andChapter 11,UsingDisksandDiskDrives,on
page 235.
To use removable devices in a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>RemovableDevices><Device_Name>andthenConnect,
Disconnect,oroneoftheotherchoices.
IfyouchooseSettings,adialogboxappears.Maketheneededchangesandclick
OK.Ifyouneedassistance,clickHelptodisplayonlinehelp.
IfthedeviceisaUSBdevice,youcanchangewhichiconisusedtorepresentthis
deviceinthestatusbar.Youcanalsochoosenottodisplayaniconforthisdevice.
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181
(Optional)Toconnect,disconnect,orchangesettingsforadevice,clickor
rightclickthedeviceiconinthenotificationareaofthetaskbarandchoosea
commandfromthecontextmenu.
Usingthedeviceiconinthevirtualmachinetaskbarisespeciallyusefulifyourun
thevirtualmachineinfullscreenmode.
Configure the Appliance View for a Virtual Machine

Tohaveavirtualmachinefunctionasanappliance,suchasaWebserverwitha
browserbasedinterface,setthevirtualmachinetodisplayitsapplianceviewwhen
startingup.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythatthevirtualmachineisaWorkstation6.xorhighervirtual
machine.Forinstructionsonupgrading,seeChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachine
onpage 94.
Theapplianceviewdoesthefollowing:
Displaysabriefdescriptionofthetypeofserverorappliance
Providesalinkthatopensthebrowseronthehostsystemandconnectstothe
appliancesmanagementconsole
NOTETheapplianceviewcannotbedisplayedforvirtualmachinesthatarepartofa
team,justasthesummaryviewisnotdisplayedforindividualmembersofateam.
To configure the appliance view for a virtual machine
1
(Optional)Tousealogointheapplianceview,createaPNGorBMPimagefilethat
isnolargerthan256x256pixelsandplaceitinthedirectorythatcontainsthe.vmx
fileforthevirtualmachine.
Thevirtualmachinecanbepoweredonoroff.
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ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectApplianceView.
SelecttheEnableapplianceviewcheckbox.
VMware, Inc.
Completethefieldsonthissettingspaneltocreatethetextandimagesthatusers
seewhenthevirtualmachinestartsup.
Usethefollowinginformationtoconfigurethesettingsonthispanel:
OnlytheNamefieldisrequired.
SpecifytheTCP/IPportnumberfortheappliancetousetoserveHTTP
content.
IfyoudonotselectSwitchtoapplianceviewatpoweron,theconsoleview
appearsinsteadoftheapplianceview.Oftentheconsoleviewshowsonlya
simpledisplayofthevirtualmachinesIPaddressandtellstheusertoopena
browser.
ClickOK.
Whenauserstartsthisvirtualmachine,theapplianceviewappears.Apoweringon
messageappears,followedbyalinktoaccesstheappliancesmanagementconsole.
Create a Screenshot of a Virtual Machine

Youcancaptureascreenshotofavirtualmachineandsaveittotheclipboard,toafile,
orboth.OnLinuxhosts,savingtotheclipboardworksonlyonsystemsrunning
Gnome 2.12orhigher.
Bydefault,theimageissavedasaportablenetworkgraphics(.png)file.OnWindows
hosts,youcanalsosaveitasabitmap(.bmp)file.
To create a screenshot of a virtual machine
1
Specifyyourpreferencesfortakingscreenshots:
a
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseEdit>Preferences.
OntheWorkspacetab,usetheSavescreenshotstocheckboxestospecify
whethertosavethescreenshottotheclipboard,afile,orboth.
IfyouselectFile,specifywhethertosavethefiletoyourdesktoportobe
promptedforthelocationwhenyoutakethescreenshot.
IfyouselectSavetodesktop,thefilenameisgeneratedautomaticallyfromthe
virtualmachinenameandthetimeatwhichthescreenshotistaken.Thefile
formatis.pngfile.
OnWindowshosts,ifyouselectAskforlocation,whenyouarepromptedfor
thefilenameandpath,youcanalsochangethefileformattobitmap.
VMware, Inc.
ClickOK.
183
Totakethescreenshot,dooneofthefollowing:
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseVM>CaptureScreen.
PressCtrl+Alt+PrtScr(onWindowshosts)orShift+Ctrl+PrtScr(onLinux
hosts).
Thekeyboardshortcutworksregardlessofwhethermouseandkeyboard
inputiscurrentlygrabbedbythevirtualmachineorthehost.
ThekeycombinationCtrl+Alt+PrtScrassumesthatyourvirtualmachineis
configuredtoungrabkeyboardandmouseinputifyoupressCtrl+Alt.Ifyou
configuredadifferentshortcutforungrabbinginput,usethatshortcutwith
thePrtScrkey.SeeChangetheHotKeyCombinationonpage 74.
Create and Play Back a Movie of a Virtual Machine

Youcancaptureamovieofyourscreenactivitywithinavirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,makesureyouhavetheVMwaremoviedecoder.Althoughyoucan
captureamovieonLinux,youneedtoplayitbackonaWindowsmachine.The
VMwareCODEC(coderdecoder)isautomaticallyinstalledwithWorkstationon
Windowshosts.Aseparatelydownloadableinstallerisalsoavailabletoplayback
moviesonWindowsmachineswithoutWorkstation.GototheDownloadspageonthe
VMwareWebsiteandclicktheTools&DriverstabontheVMwareWorkstation
downloadpage.
NOTEToactuallyrecordtheexecutionofthevirtualmachineinsteadofcreatinga
movie,seeChapter 12,RecordingandReplayingVirtualMachineActivity,on
page 257.Youmightwanttorecordvirtualmachineexecutionfordebuggingpurposes
ortoexactlyreproducethestepsthatcauseacertainbehavior.
To create and play back a movie of a virtual machine
184
ChooseVM>CaptureMovie.
VMware, Inc.
IntheSaveFiledialogbox,enterinformationforyourmovieandclickSave.
Usethefollowingguidelines:
TheQualitysettingdeterminesthecompressionandthereforethefilesizeof
theresultingmovie.
IfyouselectOmitframesinwhichnothingoccurs,themovieincludesonly
thoseperiodswhensomethingisactuallyhappeninginthevirtualmachine.
Thisreducesthefilesizeandlengthofthemovie.
Whilemoviecaptureisactive,aredcircle(avirtualLED)appearsinthe
notificationareaofthetaskbar.
Inthevirtualmachine,performtheactionstoappearinthemovie.
Tostopthemovie,chooseVM>StopMovieCapture.
Ifyoudonotwanttousethemenubarorifyouareusingthevirtualmachinein
fullscreenmode,rightclickthemoviecaptureiconandchooseStopMovie
Capture.
Workstationsavesthisimageasan.avifileonthehost.
Playthemoviebackinanycompatiblemediaplayer.
Advanced Options for Application Developers

ApplicationdeveloperscanusethefollowingAPIs,SDKs,andIDEswhenwritingand
debuggingapplicationsthatruninvirtualmachines:
VIXAPIforwritingprogramstoautomatevirtualmachineoperations TheAPI
ishighlevel,easytouse,andpracticalforbothscriptwritersandapplication
programmers.APIfunctionsallowyoutoregister,poweronoroffvirtual
machines,andrunprogramsintheguestoperatingsystems.Additionallanguage
bindingsareavailableforPerl,COM,andshellscripts(vmrun).Formore
information,seetheVMwareVIXAPIReleaseNotes.
VAssertAPIforinsertingreplayonlycodetodebugapplications The
experimentalVAssertfeatureenablesyoutousevirtualassertionsasyouwould
regularassertionsintheapplicationsyoudevelop.VAssertsappearonlywhenyou
replayarecordingofusingtheapplicationandsoareoverheadfree.ThisAPIis
currentlyavailableonlyforWindowsguests.SeetheVAssertProgrammingGuide.
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186
VProbestoolforinvestigatingguestbehavior YoucanwriteVProbesscripts
thatinspectandrecordactivitiesintheguest,VMM,VMX,andvirtualdevicestate,
withoutmodifyingthatstate.Forexample,VProbescantrackwhichapplications
arerunningorindicatewhichprocessesarecausingpagefaults.SeetheVProbes
ProgrammingReference.
VMCISocketsinterface ThisfeatureisasocketsinterfacefortheVirtual
MachineCommunicationInterface,whichprovidesafastermeansof
communicationamongapplicationsrunningonthehostandinvirtualmachines.
Thisfeatureiswellsuitedfordeveloperswhowanttowriteclientserver
applications.SeetheVMCISocketsProgrammingGuide.
IntegratedVirtualDebuggersforVisualStudioandEclipse Theintegrated
developmentenvironment(IDE)pluginsprovideaconfigurableinterface
betweenvirtualmachinesandVisualStudioorEclipsethatletsyoutest,run,and
debugprogramsinvirtualmachines.SeetheIntegratedVirtualDebuggerforEclipse
DevelopersGuideandIntegratedVirtualDebuggerforVisualStudioDevelopersGuide.
VMware, Inc.
Transferring Files and Text

Between the Host and
Guest
Thischapterdiscusseshowtotransferfilesbetweenthehostandguest.Thischapter
UsingtheDragandDropFeatureonpage 187
UsingtheCopyandPasteFeatureonpage 189
UsingSharedFoldersonpage 190
UsingaMappedDriveonpage 198
Using the Drag-and-Drop Feature

Usingthedraganddropfeature,youcanmovefilesanddirectories,email
attachments,plaintext,andformattedtextbetweenLinuxandWindowshostsand
Linux,Windows,andSolaris10guests.YoucanalsomoveimagesbetweenWindows
hostsandguests.Tousethedraganddropfeature,VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledon
thevirtualmachine.ThisfeaturerequiresLinuxhostsandgueststorunXWindows
andSolaris10gueststorunanXorgXserverandJDS/Gnome.
Youcandragfilesordirectoriesbetweenthefollowinglocations:
Afilemanager,suchasWindowsExplorer,onthehosttoafilemanagerinthe
virtualmachineandthereverse.
Afilemanagertoanapplicationthatsupportsdraganddrop.
Applicationssuchaszipfilemanagersthatsupportdraganddropextractionof
individualfiles.
Onevirtualmachinetoanother.
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187
Whenyoudragafileorfolderfromhosttovirtualmachineorthereverse,Workstation
copiesthefileorfoldertothelocationwhereyoudropit.Forexample,ifyoudropafile
onthedesktopiconofawordprocessor,thewordprocessoropenswithacopyofthe
originalfile.Theoriginalfiledoesnotreflectanychangesyoumaketothecopy.
Initially,theapplicationopensusingacopyofthefilethatisstoredinyourtemp
directory.OnWindows,thisisthedirectoryspecifiedinthe%TEMP%environment
variable,andonLinuxandSolaris,itisthe/tmp/VMwareDnDdirectory.Toprotectany
changesyoumake,selectFile>SaveAsfromtheapplicationmenuandsavethefilein
adifferentdirectory.
YoucandragimagesbetweenapplicationsonWindowshostsandapplicationsonlyon
Windowsguests,ineitherdirection.Youcanalsodragplaintext,formattedtext,and
emailattachmentsbetweenapplicationsonWindowsandLinuxhostsandguestsin
anycombination,ineitherdirection.Draggingemailattachmentsisespeciallyusefulin
Unitymode.
Thedraganddropfeaturehasthefollowingrestrictions:
Draggingemailattachmentsisrestrictedtoimagesorfilessmallerthan4MB.
Draggingplaintextandformattedtext(includingtheformatting)isrestrictedto
amountslessthan4MB.
DraggingtextisrestrictedtotextinlanguagesthatcanberepresentedbyUnicode
characters.
WorkstationusesthePNGformattoencodeimagesthataredragged.Dragging
imagesisrestrictedtoimagessmallerthan4MBafterconversiontoPNGformat.
DraggingimagesisnotsupportedforLinuxhostsorguests.
OnWindows95andWindows98guests,thedraganddropfeatureissupported
onlyforfilesanddirectories.
Enable or Disable the Drag-and-Drop Feature

Topreventdragginganddroppingbetweenvirtualmachinesandthehost,disablethe
draganddropfeature.Beforeyoubegin,makesureVMwareToolsisinstalledonthe
virtualmachine.
To enable or disable the drag-and-drop feature
188
StartWorkstationandselectthevirtualmachine.
ChooseVM>Settings.
VMware, Inc.
Chapter 8 Transferring Files and Text Between the Host and Guest
ClicktheOptionstabandselectGuestIsolation.
SelectordeselecttheEnabledraganddropcheckboxandclickOK.
Using the Copy and Paste Feature

Tousethecopyandpastefeature,VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledonthevirtual
machine.ThisfeaturerequiresLinuxhostsandgueststorunXWindowsandSolaris10
gueststorunanXorgXserverandJDS/Gnome.Thecopyandpastefeatureworkswith
LinuxandWindowshostsandLinux,Windows,andSolaris10guests.
Youcancut,copy,andpastetextfromonevirtualmachinetoanother,andyoucancut,
copy,andpastetextbetweenapplicationsintwovirtualmachines.Youcanalsocut,
copy,andpasteimages,plaintext,formattedtext,andemailattachmentsbetween
applicationsonWindowsandLinuxhostsandguestsinanycombination,ineither
direction.CopyingandpastingemailattachmentsisespeciallyusefulinUnitymode.
Usethenormalhotkeysormenuchoicestocutorcopyandpaste.
Thecopyandpastefeaturehasthefollowingrestrictions:
Copyingandpastingemailattachmentsisrestrictedtoimagesorfilessmallerthan
4MB.
Copyingandpastingplaintextandformattedtext(includingtheformatting)is
restrictedtoamountslessthan4MB.
Copyingandpastingtextisrestrictedtotextinlanguagesthatcanberepresented
byUnicodecharacters.
WorkstationusesthePNGformattoencodeimagesthatarecopiedandpasted.
Copyingandpastingimagesisrestrictedtoimagessmallerthan4MBafter
conversiontoPNGformat.
Youcannotcopyandpastefilesbetweenvirtualmachines.
OnWindows95andWindows98guests,copyingandpastingisrestrictedtoplain
textinamountslessthan64KB.
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189
Enable or Disable the Copy and Paste Feature

Topreventcopyingandpastingbetweenvirtualmachinesandthehost,disablethe
copyandpastefeature.Beforeyoubegin,VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledonthe
virtualmachine.
To enable or disable the copy and paste feature
1
SelectVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectGuestIsolation.
SelectordeselecttheEnablecopyandpastecheckboxandclickOK.
Using Shared Folders

Withsharedfoldersyoucansharefilesamongvirtualmachinesandthehostcomputer.
Youchooseadirectoryonthehostoronanetworkdirectorythatisaccessibletothe
host,andyougiveitthenameyouwanttouseontheguest.
Youcanusesharedfolderswithvirtualmachinesrunningthefollowingguest
operatingsystemsandonallsupportedhostsystems:
190
WindowsServer2003
WindowsXP
Windows2000
WindowsNT4.0
WindowsVista
Windows7
Linuxwithakernelversionof2.6orhigher
Solarisx8610
Solarisx8610Update1andhigher
VMware, Inc.
Set Up Shared Folders

Sharedfoldersprovideaneasywaytosharefilesamongvirtualmachines,andbetween
virtualmachinesandthehost.Thedirectoriesyouaddassharedfolderscanbeonthe
hostcomputerortheycanbenetworkdirectoriesaccessiblefromthehostcomputer.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethefollowingprerequisitesaresatisfied:
Makesurethevirtualmachinesuseaguestoperatingsystemthatsupportsshared
folders.Foralistofsupportedguestoperatingsystems,seeUsingShared
Foldersonpage 190.
VerifythatthecurrentversionofVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguest.See
Checkpermissionsettings.Accesstofilesinthesharedfolderisgovernedby
permissionsettingsonthehostcomputer.Forexample,ifyouarerunning
WorkstationasausernamedUser,thevirtualmachinecanreadandwritefilesin
thesharedfolderonlyifUserhaspermissiontoreadandwritethem.For
informationabouthowpermissionsettingaremappedbetweenLinuxand
Windows,seeImprovedHandlingofPermissionsonpage 198.
Tosetupafolderforsharingbetweenvirtualmachines,configureeachvirtualmachine
tousethesamedirectoryonthehostsystem(oronthenetwork).
To set up shared folders
1
StartWorkstationandselectavirtualmachine.
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectSharedFolders.
SelectAlwaysenabledorEnableduntilnextpowerofforsuspend.
YoucanselectEnableduntilnextpowerofforsuspendonlywhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon.Thissettingenablesfoldersharingtemporarily,untilyou
shutdown,suspend,orrestartthevirtualmachine.Youmustselectthisoptionor
AlwaysenabledtoenableordisablespecificfoldersintheFolderssection.
(Optional)Foreasyaccess,selecttheMapasanetworkdriveinWindowsguests
checkboxtomapadrivetotheShared Foldersdirectory.
Thisdirectorycontainsallthesharedfoldersyouenable.Thedriveletterisselected
automatically.
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191
ClickAdd.
OnWindows,clickingAddstartstheAddSharedFolderwizard.OnLinux,it
openstheSharedFolderPropertiesdialogbox.
UsethefollowinginformationtocompletethewizardorPropertiesdialogbox:
NameNamethatappearsinsidethevirtualmachine.
Charactersthattheguestoperatingsystemconsidersillegalinasharename
appeardifferentlywhenviewedinsidetheguest.Forexample,ifyouusean
asteriskinasharename,yousee%002Ainsteadof*inthesharenameonthe
guest.IllegalcharactersareconvertedtotheirASCIIhexadecimalvalue.
HostfolderPathonthehosttothedirectorythatyouwanttoshare.
Ifyouspecifyadirectoryonanetworkshare,suchasD:\share,Workstation
alwaysattemptstousethatpath.Ifthedirectoryislaterconnectedtothehost
onadifferentdriveletter,thesharedfoldercannotbelocated.
EnabledorEnablethisshareDeselectthisoptiontodisableasharedfolder
withoutdeletingitfromthevirtualmachineconfiguration.Youcanenablethe
folderbyselectingthecheckboxnexttoitsnameinthelist.
Toenableafolderatalatertimeselectitsnameinthelist,clickProperties,and
enablethefolderinthePropertiesdialogbox.
ReadonlySelectthisoptiontopreventthevirtualmachinefromchanging
thecontentsofthesharedfolderinthehostfilesystem.Accesstofilesinthe
sharedfolderisalsogovernedbypermissionsettingsonthehostcomputer.
Tochangetheseproperties,usethePropertiesdialogbox.OnWindows,afteryou
selectSharedFoldersontheOptionstab,clickProperties.
8
(Optional)Toenablesharedfoldersforavirtualmachineafterasharedfolderis
created,ontheSharedFolderssettingspanel,usetheFolderSharingsection:
SelectEnableduntilnextpowerofforsuspendtoenablefoldersharing
temporarily,untilyoupowerofforsuspendthevirtualmachine.
IfyouselectEnableduntilnextpowerofforsuspendandrestarttheguestor
usetheguestoperatingsystemtoshutdown,sharedfoldersarenotdisabled
whenyourestartthevirtualmachine.
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SelectAlwaysenabledtoenableordisablespecificfoldersintheFolders
section.
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Accesstheenabledsharedfolder:
ForWindowsguests,seeViewSharedFoldersinaWindowsGueston
page 195.
OnLinuxguests,sharedfoldersappearunder/mnt/hgfs.
OnSolarisguests,sharedfoldersappearunder/hgfs.
Enabling and Disabling Shared Folders

Youcanenablesharedfoldersforvirtualmachinescreatedbyotherusers,enableor
disableallfoldersharingforaspecificvirtualmachine,andenableaspecificshared
folderforavirtualmachine.
CAUTIONEnablingallsharedfolderscanposeasecurityriskbecauseasharedfolder
mightenableexistingprogramsinsidethevirtualmachinetoaccessthehostfilesystem
withoutyourknowledge.
Enable Shared Folders for Virtual Machines Created By Other Users

Asharedfolderisdisabledbydefaultifitwasnotcreatedbytheuserwhopowerson
thevirtualmachine.Thisisasecurityprecaution.
FoldersharingisalsodisabledbydefaultforWorkstation4and5.xvirtualmachines
regardlessofwhocreatedthefolder.
To enable shared folders for virtual machines created by other users
1
OntheWorkspacetab,intheVirtualMachinessection,selectEnableallshared
foldersbydefault.
Thissettingappliestosharedfoldersonallvirtualmachinesthatarecreatedby
otherusers,suchasappliancedevelopers.
Youcannowspecifywhichvirtualmachinescansharefoldersandwhichfolderscan
beshared.
Enable or Disable Folder Sharing for Specific Virtual Machines

Toreducethesecuritythreatofenablingallsharedfolders,youmustspecifywhether
aspecificvirtualmachineisallowedtosharefoldersandthenspecifywhichfoldersto
share.
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To enable or disable folder sharing for specific virtual machines

1
Selectavirtualmachine.
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectSharedFolders.
UsethebuttonsintheFolderSharingsectiontoenableordisablesharedfolders
andclickOK.
YoucanselectEnableduntilnextpowerofforsuspendonlywhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon.Thissettingenablesfoldersharingtemporarily,untilyou
shutdown,suspend,orrestartthevirtualmachine.Youmustselectthisoptionor
AlwaysenabledtoenableordisablespecificfoldersintheFolderssection.
IfthevirtualmachinehasaWindowsoperatingsystem,selectwhethertomapa
networkdrive.
OnWindows,ifyoudisablesharedfolders,afteryoupoweronavirtualmachine
andattempttoselectamappeddrivetothesharedfolder,youreceiveamessage
thattheconnectioncannotbemade.
Afteryouenablefoldersharingforavirtualmachine,specifywhichfolderscanbe
shared.
Specify Which Folders to Share

Beforeyoubegin,makesurethevirtualmachineisallowedtosharefolders.See
EnableorDisableFolderSharingforSpecificVirtualMachinesonpage 193.
To specify which folders to share
194
ChooseVM>Settings>Options>SharedFolders.
IntheFolderslistforthevirtualmachine,selectthecheckboxnexttothenameof
thesharedfolderthatyouwanttoenable.
(Optional)Tomakethesharedfolderreadonly,selectthesharedfolderandclick
Properties,selectthereadonlycheckboxandclickOK.
VMware, Inc.
Viewing a Shared Folder

Viewingsharedfoldersinaguestvariesbasedonwhethertheguestoperatingsystem
isWindows,Solaris,orLinux.Youcanusesharedfolderstoshareanytypeoffiles.
Todeterminewhichfoldersonthehostarebeingsharedwithavirtualmachine,choose
VM>Settings>Options>SharedFolderstoseealistofthesharedfoldersandthe
directorypathstothem.
CAUTIONDonotopenafileinasharedfolderfrommorethanoneapplicationatatime.
Forexample,donotopenthesamefileusinganapplicationonthehostoperating
systemandanotherapplicationintheguestoperatingsystem.Ifoneoftheapplications
writestothefile,datacorruptioncanoccur.
View Shared Folders in a Windows Guest

InaWindowsguestoperatingsystem,youcanviewsharedfoldersusingdesktop
icons.
NOTEIfyourguestoperatingsystemhasVMwareToolsfromWorkstation4.0,shared
foldersappearasfoldersonadesignateddriveletter.
To view shared folders in a Windows guest
LookinMyNetworkPlaces>EntireNetwork(NetworkNeighborhoodfora
WindowsNTguest,orNetworkforWindowsVistaandWindows7)under
VMwareSharedFolders.
Ifyouhavetroublefindingasharedfolderusingthedesktopicon,openWindows
ExplorerandlookinMyNetworkPlaces(orNetworkNeighborhood).
VMware, Inc.
Toviewaspecificsharedfolder,dooneofthefollowing:
NavigatetoitontheguestsystembyopeningMyNetworkPlaces>Entire
Network>VMwareSharedFolders>vmwarehost>SharedFolders>
<shared_folder_name>.
GodirectlytothefolderusingtheUNCpath
\\vmware-host\Shared Folders\<shared_folder_name>.
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View Shared Folders in a Linux or Solaris 10 Guest

Forinformationaboutpermissionsettingsonthefilesyouview,alsoseePermissions
andFolderMountingforSharedFoldersonLinuxGuestsonpage 196.
To view shared folders in a Linux or Solaris 10 guest
OnaLinuxvirtualmachine,sharedfoldersappearunder/mnt/hgfs.
OnaSolarisvirtualmachine,sharedfoldersappearunder/hgfs.
Permissions and Folder Mounting for Shared Folders on Linux

Guests
TheversionofVMwareToolsincludedinWorkstation7.0containsperformance
improvements,supportforsymboliclinksifyouuseaLinuxhost,anewmechanism
formountingsharedfolders,andpermissionsenhancements.
Performance Improvements
Hostguestfilesharingisintegratedwiththeguestpagecache.Filesinsharedfolders
arecachedforreadingandcanbewrittentoasynchronously.However,youdonot
experiencethereadcachingbenefitsonfilesthatarebeingactivelywrittentofromthe
guest.
Tospeedperformance,usethettl(timetolive)optiontothemountcommand.Usethis
optiontospecifytheintervalusedbythehgfs(hostguestfilesystem)driverfor
validatingfileattributes.Forexample,ifyouusethefollowingcommand,attributesare
validatedevery3secondsinsteadofevery1second,whichisthedefault:
mount -o ttl=3 -t vmhgfs .host:/<share> <mountpoint>
NOTELengtheningtheintervalinvolvessomerisk.Ifaprocessinthehostmodifiesa
filesattributes,theguestmightnotgetthemodificationsasquickly,andthefilecan
becomecorrupted.
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Folder Mounting
Thismechanismallowsyoutomountoneormoredirectoriesorsubdirectoriesina
sharedfoldertoanylocationinyourfilesysteminadditiontothedefaultlocationof
/mnt/hgfs.Youcanusethemountprogramtomountallshares,oneshare,ora
subdirectorywithinasharetoanylocationinyourfilesystem.Thefollowingtable
providesexamples.
Command
Description
mount -t vmhgfs .host:/ /home/user1/shares
Mountsallsharesto
/home/user1/shares
mount -t vmhgfs .host:/foo /tmp/foo
Mountsthesharenamedfooto
/tmp/foo
mount -t vmhgfs .host:/foo/bar /var/lib/bar
Mountsthesubdirectorybarwithin
thesharefooto/var/lib/bar
Whenyouusethemountprogram,youcanuseVMwarespecificoptionsinadditionto
thestandardmountsyntax.Toseeusageinformationforthehostguestfilesystem
options,enterthiscommand:
/sbin/mount.vmhgfs -h
NOTEWhenyouinstallVMwareTools,anentryismadetoetc/fstabtospecifythe
locationofsharedfolders.Youcaneditthisfiletochangeoraddentries.
Tousemountinthisway,youmustusethevirtualmachinesettingseditorin
Workstationtosetupandenableasharedfolder.Aftertheshareexists,youcanmount
thesharedfoldertootherlocationsbesidesthedefault.
InpreviousversionsofVMwareTools,whenaLinuxguestattemptedtomounta
sharedfolder,thevmware-guestdprogramattemptedtoperformthemount.Ifit
failed,theonlyevidenceofthefailurewasanemptyfolder.
WiththenewversionofVMwareTools,theToolsservicesscriptloadsadriverthat
performsthemount.Ifthemountfails,amessageappearsregardingmountingHGFS
shares.
Themountcanfailifsharedfoldersaredisabledorifthesharedoesnotexist.Youare
notpromptedtoreruntheVMwareToolsconfigurator(the
vmware-config-tools.plfile).
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Improved Handling of Permissions

ManyrefinementshavebeenmadeforLinuxguestsonbothLinuxandWindowshosts:
IfyouuseaLinuxhostandcreatefilesthatyouwanttosharewithaLinuxguest,
thefilepermissionsshownontheguestareexactlythesameasthoseonthehost.
Usefmaskanddmasktomaskpermissionsbitsforfilesanddirectories.
IfyouuseaWindowshostandcreatefilesthatyouwanttosharewithaLinux
guest,readonlyfilesaredisplayedashavingreadandexecutepermissionfor
everyone,andotherfilesareshownasfullywritablebyeveryone.
IfyouuseaLinuxguesttocreatefilesforwhichyouwanttorestrictpermissions,
usethemountprogramwiththefollowingoptionsintheguest:uid,gid,fmask,
dmask,ro(readonly),andrw(readwrite).Notethatrwisthedefault.
IfyouareusingavirtualmachinecreatedwiththeWindowsversionof
WorkstationorapreviousreleaseoftheLinuxversionofWorkstation,youcan
changeonlytheownerpermissions.Thisbehavioristhesameasinprevious
releases.
Using a Mapped Drive

Youcanmapavirtualdisktoahostinsteadofusingsharedfoldersorcopyingdata
betweenaguestandhost.Inthiscase,youcanmapavirtualdiskinahostfilesystem
asaseparatemappeddrive.Usingamappeddriveletsyouconnecttothevirtualdisk
withoutgoingintoavirtualmachine.
Afteryoumapthevirtualdisktoadriveonthehost,youcannotpoweronanyvirtual
machinethatusesthatdiskuntilyoudisconnectitfromthehost.
YoucanuseWorkstationtomapthedisktoadriveonthehost,andtodisconnectthe
drive.OnWindows,ifyouattempttousethehostsMyComputer>Tools>Disconnect
NetworkDrivecommand,youwillnotseethemappeddriveletterinthelistof
networkdrives.
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Map or Mount a Virtual Disk to a Drive on the Host

Beforeyoubegintomapavirtualdisk,makesurethatallvirtualmachinesthatusethe
diskarepoweredoff.Also,takethefollowingconsiderationsintoaccount:
YoucanmountvolumesformattedwithFAT(12/16/32)orNTFSonly.Ifthevirtual
diskhasamixofpartitions(volumes)where,forexample,apartitionis
unformattedorisformattedwithaLinuxoperatingsystemandanotherpartition
isformattedwithaWindowsoperatingsystem,youcanmounttheWindows
partitiononly.
Youcanmountavirtualdiskthathasasnapshot,butifyouwritetothedisk,you
canirreparablydamageasnapshotorlinkedclonepreviouslycreatedfromthe
virtualmachine.
Youcannotmountavirtualdiskifanyofits.vmdkfilesarecompressedorhave
readonlypermissions.Changetheseattributesbeforemountingthevirtualdisk.
Youcannotmapormountavirtualdiskthatisencrypted.
CAUTIONVMwarerecommendsthatyouleavethecheckboxOpenfilein
readonlymodeselectedintheMapaVirtualDiskdialogbox.Thissetting
preventsyoufromaccidentallywritingdatatoavirtualdiskthatmightbethe
parentofasnapshotorlinkedclone.Writingtosuchadiskmightmakethe
snapshotorcloneunusable.
To map or mount a virtual disk to a drive on the host

1
VMware, Inc.
Openthemenutomountavirtualdisktoadriveonthehost.
OnWindows,selectFile>MaporDisconnectVirtualDisks.
OnLinux,selectFile>MountorUnmountVirtualDisks.
Mapormountavirtualdisk.
OnWindows,intheMaporDisconnectVirtualDrivesdialogbox,clickMap.
OnLinux,intheMountorUnmountVirtualDrivesdialogbox,clickMount
Disk.
Inthedialogbox,clickBrowse,navigatetoadiskfile(.vmdkfile),selectit,and
clickOpen.
199
Selectthevolumetomapormount,andselectadriveletterthatisnotbeingused
onyourhost.
ClickOKorMount.
Thedriveappearsonyourhost.Fromthehost,youcanreadfromorwritetofiles
onthemappedvirtualdisk.
(Optional)Toviewamappeddrive,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindows,selectFile>MaporDisconnectVirtualDisks.
OnLinux,selectFile>MountorUnmountVirtualDisks
Whenyouarereadytounmaporunmountthedrive,seeDisconnecttheHostfrom
theVirtualDiskonpage 200.
Disconnect the Host from the Virtual Disk

Toaccessthemappedvirtualdiskfromavirtualmachineagain,youmustdisconnect
it.Youcandisconnectthehostfromthevirtualdiskusingtwodifferentmethods.
To disconnect the host from the virtual disk
UsetheFilemenuinWorkstation:
a
ChooseFile>MaporDisconnectVirtualDisksorMountorUnmount
VirtualDisks.
Inthedialogbox,selectavolumetodisconnectandclickDisconnector
Unmount.
Ifyoureceiveanerrormessageaskingwhethertoforciblydisconnect,click
Yes.
ClickOK.
UsetheVMmenuforaselectedvirtualmachine:
a
ChooseVM>Settings>Hardware.
SelecttheharddiskandclickUtilities>DisconnectorUnmount.
Youcannowpoweronanyvirtualmachinethatusesthisdisk.
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Preserving the State of a

Virtual Machine
Suspendingavirtualmachineletsyousavethecurrentstatesothatyoucancontinue
worklaterfromthesamestate.Takingasnapshotletsyoupreservethestateofthe
virtualmachinesoyoucanreturntothesamestaterepeatedly.Thischapterincludes
thefollowingtopics:
UsingtheSuspendandResumeFeaturesonpage 201
UsingSnapshotsonpage 203
Using the Suspend and Resume Features

Youcanusethesuspendandresumefeaturestosavethecurrentstateofavirtual
machine.Whenyouresume,anyapplicationsyouwererunningwhenyoususpended
thevirtualmachineareresumedintheirrunningstate,andthecontentisthesameas
whenyoususpendedthevirtualmachine.
Thespeedofthesuspendandresumeoperationsdependsonhowmuchdatachanged
sincethevirtualmachinestarted.Ingeneral,thefirstsuspendoperationtakeslonger
thanlatersuspendoperations.
Whenyouresumeanddoadditionalworkinthevirtualmachine,youcannotreturnto
thestatethevirtualmachinewasinatthetimeyoususpended.Topreservethestateof
thevirtualmachinesothatyoucanreturntothesamestaterepeatedly,takeasnapshot,
asdescribedinUsingSnapshotsonpage 203.
Use Hard Suspend or Soft Suspend

YoucanconfiguretheSuspendbuttonormenucommandtorunaVMwareToolsscript
intheguestoperatingsystembeforedoingthesuspendoperation.Thisconfiguration
iscalledasoftsuspend.
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OnWindowsguests,whenyoudoasoftsuspend,ascriptreleasestheIPaddressifthe
guestoperatingsystemisusingDHCP.OnLinux,FreeBSD,andSolarisguests,the
scriptstopsnetworkingforthevirtualmachine.WhenyouusetheResumecommand
onWindowsguests,ascriptgetsanewIPaddressfromDHCP.OnLinux,FreeBSD,and
Solarisguests,networkingrestarts.
To use hard suspend or soft suspend
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstab,andselectPower.
InthePowercontrolssection,specifyahardsuspend(Suspend)orasoftsuspend
(SuspendGuest)operation.
ClickOK.
Suspend or Resume a Virtual Machine

Thesuspendandresumefeaturesletyousavethecurrentstateofyourvirtualmachine
andcontinueworklaterfromthesamestate.
Beforesuspendingavirtualmachine,specifywhethertostopnetworkingbefore
suspending.SeeUseHardSuspendorSoftSuspendonpage 201.
To suspend or resume a virtual machine
Tosuspendavirtualmachine,chooseVM>Power>Suspend.
Ifthevirtualmachineisrunninginexclusivefullscreenmode,whichhidesthe
toolbar,returntowindowedmodebypressingtheCtrl+Alt+Enterkey
combination.
Whenyoususpendavirtualmachine,afilewitha.vmssextensioniscreatedin
theworkingdirectory.
Toresumeasuspendedvirtualmachine,selectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM
>Power>Resume.
Whenyouresumethevirtualmachine,itsstateisrestoredfromthe.vmssfile.
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Chapter 9 Preserving the State of a Virtual Machine
Using Snapshots
Takingsnapshotsletsyoupreservethestateofthevirtualmachinesothatyoucan
returntothesamestaterepeatedly.
Scenarios for Using Multiple Snapshots

Youcantakemultiplesnapshotsofavirtualmachine.
Snapshots in a Linear Process

Takingsnapshotsinalinearprocessmeanstakingasnapshot,continuingtousethe
virtualmachinefromthatpoint,takinganothersnapshotatalaterpoint,andsoon.
Eachsnapshotisarestorationpointinasinglelongsequence.
Figure 9-1. Snapshots as Restoration Points in a Linear Process
Windows
operating system
lesson 1
lesson 2
lesson 3
lesson 4
lesson 5
Workstationsupportsmorethan100snapshotsforeachlinearprocess.
Usesnapshotsinalinearprocessforthefollowingsituations:
Youplantomakeriskychangesinavirtualmachine,suchasbytestingnew
softwareorexaminingavirus.Beforeaddingnew,untestedcodetoaproject,take
asnapshot.
Youcanalwaysreverttoapreviousknownworkingstateoftheprojectifthenew
codedoesnotworkasexpected.Ifthenewcodecausesnoproblems,youcantake
anothersnapshotofthevirtualmachineinitsnewstate.
NOTEYoucanconfigureavirtualmachinetotakeasnapshotanytimeitis
poweredoff,preservingavirtualaudittrailasworkprogresses.SeeTakeor
ReverttoaSnapshotatPowerOffonpage 213.
Youcreateatrainingcourseandwanttosavethestateofthevirtualmachineina
snapshotateachlessonsstartingpoint.Youcanusethesnapshotstoskiplengthy
computerpreparationtime.
Youcanalsoconfigurethevirtualmachinetoreverttoasnapshotanytimeitis
poweredoff.Eachtimeanewclassbeginsalesson,thepreviousstudentsworkis
discarded.SeeRevertatPowerOffonpage 211.
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Snapshots in a Process Tree

Youcansaveanumberofsequencesasbranchesfromasinglebaseline,asFigure 92
shows.Thisstrategyisoftenusedintestingsoftware.Youcantakeasnapshotbefore
installingdifferentversionsofaprogramtoensurethateachinstallationbeginsfrom
anidenticalbaseline.
Figure 9-2. Snapshots as Restoration Points in a Process Tree
Windows
operating
system
baseline
IE base
Firefox base
SP1
IE base1
You Are
Here
Firefox base1
SP2
IE base2
Firefox base2
AlthoughWorkstationsupportsmorethan100snapshotsforeachbranchinaprocess
tree,keepingmorethan99mightcausetheguestoperatingsystemtohaveproblems
booting.Deletesomesnapshotsormakeafullcloneofthevirtualmachine.
Snapshot Relationships
Therelationshipbetweensnapshotsislikeaparentchildrelationship:
204
Inalinearprocess,eachsnapshothasoneparentandonechild,exceptforthelast
snapshot,whichhasnochildren.
Inaprocesstree,eachsnapshothasoneparent,butonesnapshotcanhavemore
thanonechild.Manysnapshotshavenochildren.
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Theparentsnapshotofavirtualmachineisthesnapshotonwhichthecurrentstate(the
YouAreHerepositioninFigure 93)isbased.Afteryoutakeasnapshot,thatstored
stateistheparentsnapshotofthevirtualmachine.Ifyourevertorgotoanearlier
snapshot,theearliersnapshotbecomestheparentsnapshotofthevirtualmachine.
Figure 9-3. Parent-Child Relationship Between Snapshots
Snapshots 2, 3, and 4
are all children of Snapshot1.
Snapshot 4 is the parent of

the You Are Here position
and therefore the parent
of the virtual machine.
Information Captured by Snapshots

Asnapshotcapturestheentirestateofthevirtualmachineatthetimeyoutakethe
snapshotwhichincludesthefollowingconfigurations.
MemorystateContentsofthevirtualmachinememory
SettingsstateVirtualmachinesettings
DiskstateStateofallthevirtualdisks
Thestateofaphysicaldiskisnotpreservedwhenyoutakeasnapshot.However,the
stateofanindependentdiskisnotaffectedbysnapshots.
Snapshotsoperateonindividualvirtualmachines.Ifyouselectateamofvirtual
machinesandtakeasnapshot,onlythestateoftheactivevirtualmachineispreserved.
SeeSummaryandConsoleViewsforTeamsandTheirVirtualMachinesonpage 276.
Whenyoureverttoasnapshot,youreturnthememory,settings,andvirtualdisksof
thevirtualmachinetothestatetheywereinwhenyoutookthesnapshot.Tosuspend,
poweron,orpoweroffthevirtualmachinewhenyoulaunchit,besureitisinthatstate
whenyoutakethesnapshot.
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Snapshot Conflicts
Avoidtakingasnapshotwhenapplicationsinthevirtualmachinearecommunicating
withothercomputers,especiallyinproductionenvironments.
Supposeyoutakeasnapshotwhilethevirtualmachineisdownloadingafilefroma
serveronthenetwork.Afteryoutakethesnapshot,thevirtualmachinecontinues
downloadingthefile,communicatingitsprogresstotheserver.Ifyoureverttothe
snapshot,communicationsbetweenthevirtualmachineandtheserverareconfused
andthefiletransferfails.
Orconsideracaseinwhichyoutakeasnapshotwhileanapplicationinthevirtual
machineissendingatransactiontoadatabaseonaseparatemachine.Ifyourevertto
thatsnapshotafterthetransactionstartsbutbeforeitiscommitted,thedatabaseis
likelytobeconfused.
Enable or Disable Background Snapshots

Whenyousetapreferencetotakesnapshotsinthebackground,youcancontinue
workingwhilethestateofthevirtualmachineisbeingpreserved.Aprogressindicator
forthebackgroundsnapshotisdisplayedinoneofthecornersoftheWorkstation
window.
Beforeyoubegin,onLinuxhosts,runWorkstationastherootuser.Onlyrootusersare
allowedtochangethispreferencesetting.
IfyoutakeanothersnapshotorreverttoasnapshotbeforeWorkstationcompletesa
pendingsnapshotoperation,aprogressdialogboxappears.Youmustwaitforthe
pendingsnapshotoperationtofinishbeforethenextsnapshotorresumeoperation
begins.
Enablingbackgroundsnapshotsforahostwithslowharddiskscanadverselyaffect
performance.Ifyouexperiencesignificantperformanceproblemswhentakingor
restoringsnapshots,disablebackgroundsnapshots.
To enable or disable background snapshots
206
ClickthePrioritytab.
UsethecheckboxintheSnapshotssectiontoenableordisablebackground
snapshots.
ClickOKandrestartthevirtualmachine.
VMware, Inc.
Exclude a Virtual Disk from Snapshots

Incertainconfigurations,youmightwanttorevertsomediskstoasnapshotwhile
otherdisksretainallchanges.Forexample,youmightwantasnapshottopreservea
diskwithyouroperatingsystemandapplications,whilealwayskeepingthechanges
toadiskwithyourdocuments.
Youcanexcludevirtualdisksfromasnapshotbychangingthediskmode.Beforeyou
begin,poweroffthevirtualmachineanddeleteanyexistingsnapshots.
To exclude a virtual disk from snapshots
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectthedrivetoexcludeandclickAdvanced.
SelectIndependentandselectoneofthefollowingoptions:
VMware, Inc.
PersistentDisksinpersistentmodebehavelikeconventionaldisksona
physicalcomputer.Alldatawrittentoadiskinpersistentmodeiswritten
permanentlytothedisk.
NonpersistentChangestodisksinnonpersistentmodearediscardedwhen
youpowerofforresetthevirtualmachine.Nonpersistentmodeenablesyou
torestartthevirtualmachinewithavirtualdiskinthesamestateeverytime.
Changestothediskarewrittentoandreadfromaredologfilethatisdeleted
whenyoupowerofforreset.
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Snapshot Manager Overview

Youcanreviewallsnapshotsfortheactivevirtualmachineandactonthemdirectlyin
thesnapshotmanager.
Table 91identifiestheiconsthatyoumightseeinthesnapshottreeofthesnapshot
manager.
Table 9-1. Snapshot Manager Icons
Snapshotofavirtualmachinethatispoweredoff
Snapshotofavirtualmachinethatispoweredon
Snapshotusedtocreatealinkedclone
Recordingofavirtualmachine
AutoProtectsnapshot
YouAreHereicon
Thesnapshottreeshowsallsnapshotsforthevirtualmachineandtherelationship
betweensnapshots.TheYouAreHereiconisnotasnapshot.Itshowsthecurrentstate
ofthevirtualmachine.SeeSnapshotRelationshipsonpage 204.
NOTEPointtoasnapshot(withoutclicking)todisplaythecompletenameofthat
snapshot.
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VMware, Inc.
MostsnapshotmanageractionsareavailableasmenucommandsfromtheVM>
Snapshotmenu.Thefollowingactions,however,areavailableonlyfromthesnapshot
manager:
RenamingasnapshotTheNametextboxiseditable.Ifyourenameasnapshot
foraclonedvirtualmachine,usetheDescriptionfieldforfutureidentification.
ChangingoraddingadescriptionTheDescriptiontextboxiseditable.
DeletingasnapshotSeeDeleteaSnapshotoraRecordingonpage 212.
OnLinuxhosts,thesnapshotmanagerhasaslightlydifferentappearance.OnLinux
hosts,rightclickthetoolbartochangetheiconstyle.Youcandisplayiconsandtext,
iconsonly,textonly,andsoon.
Open and Use the Snapshot Manager

Usethesnapshotmanagertoreviewallsnapshotsfortheactivevirtualmachineand
workonthemdirectly.
To open and use the snapshot manager
1
ChooseVM>Snapshot>SnapshotManager.
Selectasnapshotorrecordingandclickthebuttonfortheneededaction.
Toselectmorethanonesnapshotorrecording,Ctrl+clicktheneededsnapshots
andrecordings.
IftheTakeSnapshotbuttonisdisabled,itmightbebecausethevirtualmachine
hasmultipledisksindifferentdiskmodes.Forexample,ifyouhaveaspecial
purposeconfigurationthatrequiresyoutouseanindependentdisk,youmust
poweroffthevirtualmachinebeforetakingasnapshot.
Take a Snapshot
Youcanusuallytakeasnapshotwhileavirtualmachineispoweredon,poweredoff,
orsuspended.
Followingaretheprerequisitesfortakingasnapshot:
Anysuspendoperationsmustbecomplete.
Thevirtualmachineisnotcommunicatingwithanothercomputer.SeeSnapshot
Conflictsonpage 206.
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Ifyouruseofvirtualmachinesisstronglyperformanceoriented,theguest
operatingsystemsdrivesaredefragmented.SeeDefragmentVirtualDiskson
page 239.
Ifthevirtualmachinehasmultipledisksindifferentdiskmodes,thevirtual
machineispoweredoff.Forexample,ifaspecialpurposeconfigurationrequires
youtouseanindependentdisk,youmustpoweroffthevirtualmachinebefore
takingasnapshot.
IfthevirtualmachinewascreatedwithWorkstation4deleteanyexisting
snapshotsorupgradethevirtualmachinetoWorkstation5.xorhigher.See
ChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachineonpage 94.
To take a snapshot
1
ChooseVM>Snapshot>Take Snapshot.
Enterauniquename.
(Optional)Enteradescription.
Usethisfieldtorecordnotesaboutthevirtualmachinestatecapturedinthe
snapshot.
ClickOK.
Rename a Snapshot or Recording

Usethesnapshotmanagertochangethenameofasnapshotoritsdescriptionatany
time.
To rename a snapshot or recording
1
ChooseVM>Snapshot>SnapshotManager.
Selectthesnapshotorrecording.
EditthetextintheNametextboxandclickClose.
Ifyourenameasnapshotforaclonedvirtualmachine,usetheDescriptionfieldto
specifywhichvirtualmachinewascloned.
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Restore an Earlier State from a Snapshot

RestoreasnapshotinWorkstationbyusingtheRevertandGotocommands.
TheRevertcommandhasthesameeffectasusingtheGotocommandandselecting
theparentsnapshotofthevirtualmachine.Itrevertstotheparentsnapshotofthe
currentstate.ThisstatecorrespondstotheYouAreHerepositioninthesnapshot
manager.SeeSnapshotRelationshipsonpage 204.
TheGotocommandisnotlimitedtotheparentsnapshotofthecurrentstate.Youcan
chooseanyexistingsnapshotofthevirtualmachine.
CAUTIONIfyouaddanindependentdisktoavirtualmachineandtakeasnapshot,
revertingtothesnapshotwillnotaffectthestateoftheindependentdisk.
Butifyoutakeasnapshotofavirtualmachineandthenaddanykindofdisk,reverting
tothesnapshotwillremovethediskfromthevirtualmachine.Ifassociateddisk
(.vmdk)filesarenotusedbyanothersnapshot,thediskfilesaredeleted.
To restore an earlier state from a snapshot
Toreverttotheparentsnapshot,chooseVM>Snapshot>ReverttoSnapshot.
Toreverttoasnapshotthatisnottheparent,chooseVM>Snapshotandselectthe
snapshotname.
Tosetthevirtualmachinetoreverttotheparentsnapshoteverytimethevirtual
machineispoweredoff,seeRevertatPowerOffonpage 211.
NOTEThelistofsnapshotsinVM>SnapshotdoesnotshowanAutoProtect
snapshotuntilyourestorethatsnapshotinthesnapshotmanager.Usethe
snapshotmanager(VM>Snapshot>SnapshotManager)todisplayandrestore
AutoProtectsnapshots.
Revert at Power Off

Youcansetthevirtualmachinetoreverttotheparentsnapshotanytimeitispowered
off.Theparentsnapshotofavirtualmachineisthesnapshotonwhichthecurrentstate
(theYouAreHereposition)isbased.
To set a virtual machine to revert to a snapshot at power off
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
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211
ClicktheOptionstabandselectSnapshot/Replay.
IntheWhenpoweringoffsection,selectReverttosnapshot.
Delete a Snapshot or a Recording

Inmostcases,deletingasnapshotorrecordingdoesnotaffectothersnapshots,
recordings,orthecurrentstateofthevirtualmachine.Usethesnapshotmanagerto
deleteasnapshot.
CAUTIONIfasnapshotisusedtocreateaclone,thesnapshotbecomeslocked.Ifyou
deletealockedsnapshot,theclonescreatedfromthatsnapshotnolongeroperate.
Youcannotdeleteasnapshotiftheassociatedvirtualmachineisdesignatedasa
templateforcloning.SeeEnableTemplateModeforaParentVirtualMachineof
LinkedClonesonpage 221.
To delete a snapshot or recording
1
SelectVM>Snapshot>SnapshotManager.
(Optional)TodeleteAutoProtectsnapshots,makesurethatShowAutoProtect
snapshotsisselected.
Selectanoptiontodeleteasnapshotorrecording:
Todeleteasinglesnapshotorrecording,selectitandclickDelete.
Todeleteasnapshotorrecordingandallofitschildren,rightclickitandselect
DeleteSnapshot/RecordingandChildren.
IfthechildrenofthesnapshotincludeAutoProtectsnapshots,theAutoProtect
snapshotsaredeletedonlyifShowAutoProtectsnapshotsisselected.
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Todeleteallsnapshotsandrecordings,rightclickasnapshotorrecording,
selectSelectAll,andclickDelete.
Whenpromptedtoconfirmthedeletion,clickOK,andclickCloseinthesnapshot
manager.
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Take or Revert to a Snapshot at Power Off

Youcansetavirtualmachinetoautomaticallyreverttoasnapshotortotakeanew
snapshotwheneveryoupoweroffthevirtualmachine.
To take a snapshot or revert to one at power off
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectSnapshot/Replay.
SelectanoptionintheWhenpoweringoffsection:
JustpoweroffPowersoffwithoutmakinganychangestosnapshots.
ReverttosnapshotRevertstotheparentsnapshotofthecurrentstateofthe
virtualmachine(thatis,theparentsnapshotoftheYouAreHerepositionin
theSnapshotManagerwindow).
Aninstructormightusethissettingtodiscardstudentanswersforacomputer
lessonwhenavirtualmachineispoweredoffattheendofclass.
VMware, Inc.
TakeanewsnapshotTakesasnapshotofthevirtualmachinestateafteritis
poweredoff.Thisisusefultopreservemilestonesautomatically.Thesnapshot
appearsinthesnapshotmanager.Thenameofthissnapshotisthedateand
timethevirtualmachinewaspoweredoff.ThedescriptionisAutomatic
snapshotcreatedwhenpoweringoff.
AskmePromptsyou,everytimeyoupoweroffavirtualmachine,tochoose
topoweroff,revert,ortakeasnapshot.
ClickOK.
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Using AutoProtect Snapshots

TheAutoProtectfeaturepreservesthestateofyourvirtualmachinebytaking
snapshotsatregularintervalsthatyouspecify.Thisprocessisinadditiontomanual
snapshots,whichyoucantakeatanytime.
YoucansetAutoProtectoptionsintheOptionstaboftheVirtualMachineSettings
window(VM>Settings).YouselecttheintervaloftimebetweenAutoProtect
snapshotsandthemaximumnumberofsnapshotsthatwillberetained.Afterthe
maximumnumberofAutoProtectsnapshotsisreached,Workstationdeletestheoldest
AutoProtectsnapshoteachtimeanewAutoProtectsnapshotistaken.Basedonthe
settingsyouenter,WorkstationretainsaselectionofAutoProtectsnapshotsovera
rangeoftime.WorkstationdisplaysthisselectionintheVirtualMachineSettings
window,alongwithanestimateoftheminimumamountofdiskspacetakenby
AutoProtectsnapshots.ThisminimumisaffectedbytheMemorysettinginVirtual
MachineSettings.Themorevirtualmemoryyourvirtualmachinehas,themoredisk
spaceisavailableforAutoProtectsnapshots.
TheintervalbetweenAutoProtectsnapshotsismeasuredonlywhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon.Forexample,supposeyousetAutoProtecttotakesnapshots
hourly,andthenpoweroffthevirtualmachinefiveminuteslater.ThenextAutoProtect
snapshottakesplace55minutesafteryoupoweronthevirtualmachineagain,
regardlessofthelengthoftimethevirtualmachinewaspoweredoff.
AutoProtect Restrictions
TheAutoProtectfeaturehasthefollowingrestrictions:
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BecauseAutoProtecttakessnapshotsonlywhileavirtualmachineispoweredon,
AutoProtectsnapshotscannotbecloned.Youcancloneavirtualmachineonlyifit
ispoweredoff.
AutoProtectsnapshotsarenottakeninVMwarePlayer,evenifAutoProtectwas
enabledforthevirtualmachineinWorkstation.
AutoProtectsnapshotsarenottakenwhileyouareusingtheRecord/Replay
feature.
VMware, Inc.
Set Up Automatic Snapshots with AutoProtect

YoucansetWorkstationtotakesnapshotsofyourvirtualmachineatregularintervals,
withtheAutoProtectfeature.
To set up automatic snapshots with AutoProtect
1
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheOptionstab,underSettings,selectAutoProtect.
SelectEnableAutoProtect.
Selecttheintervalbetweensnapshots.
SelectthemaximumnumberofAutoProtectsnapshotstoretain.
Thissettingdoesnotaffectthenumberofregularsnapshotsyoucantakeandkeep.
SelectOK.
Preserve AutoProtect Snapshots from Being Deleted

AfterWorkstationhastakenthemaximumnumberofAutoProtectsnapshotsthatyou
specifywhenyousetupAutoProtect,WorkstationdeletestheoldestAutoProtect
snapshoteachtimeanewAutoProtectsnapshotistaken.Inthesnapshotmanager,you
canpreserveAutoProtectsnapshotsfromthisdeletion.
To preserve AutoProtect snapshots from being deleted
1
SelectVM>SnapshotManager.
SelectShowAutoProtectsnapshots.
SelecttheAutoProtectsnapshottopreserve.
SelectKeep.
Snapshots and Workstation 4 Virtual Machines

Workstation4virtualmachinesdonotsupportmultiplesnapshots.Forfull
Workstation7functionality,youmustupgrade.SeeChangetheVersionofaVirtual
Machineonpage 94.
IfaWorkstation4virtualmachinehasasnapshot,youmustremovethesnapshot
beforeyouupgrade.Useyourearlier,Workstation4applicationtoremovethe
snapshot,andthenupgradetoWorkstation7.
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10
Cloning, Moving, and

Sharing Virtual Machines
10
Cloningavirtualmachineisfasterandeasierthancopyingit.Thischapterprovides
instructionsandinformationonhowtomoveyourvirtualmachinesfromonehostto
another,orelsewhereonthesamehost,plusrecommendationsonhowtosharevirtual
machineswithotherusers.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
TheVirtualMachinesUniversalUniqueIdentifieronpage 217
CloningaVirtualMachineonpage 219
MovingaVirtualMachineonpage 223
MovinganOlderVirtualMachineonpage 226
MovingLinkedClonesonpage 227
SharingVirtualMachineswithOtherUsersonpage 227
UsingVNCforRemoteConnectionstoaVirtualMachineonpage 228
MakeVirtualMachinesAvailableforStreamingfromaWebServeronpage 230
SharingVirtualMachineswithVMwarePlayeronpage 231
The Virtual Machines Universal Unique Identifier

Toensureallvirtualmachinesareidentifiedproperly,eachvirtualmachineis
automaticallyassignedauniversaluniqueidentifier(UUID).
UsetheUUIDofavirtualmachineforsystemmanagementinthesamewayyouuse
theUUIDofaphysicalcomputer.TheUUIDisstoredintheSMBIOSsystem
informationdescriptor.ItcanbeaccessedbystandardSMBIOSscanningsoftware,such
asSiSoftwareSandraortheIBMutilitysmbios2.
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ThisUUIDisgeneratedwhenyouinitiallypoweronthevirtualmachine.Aslongas
youdonotmoveorcopythevirtualmachinetoanotherlocation,theUUIDremains
constant.TosetaspecificUUID,seeSpecifyaUUIDforaVirtualMachineon
page 218.
UUID Options When You Move a Virtual Machine

Whenyoupoweronavirtualmachinethatwasmovedorcopiedtoanewlocation,a
messageappears,askingwhetheryoumovedorcopiedthevirtualmachine.Ifyou
indicatethatyoucopiedthevirtualmachine,anewUUIDisgenerated.
Suspendingandresumingavirtualmachinedoesnottriggertheprocessthatgenerates
aUUID.TheUUIDinuseatthetimethevirtualmachinewassuspendedremainsinuse
whenthevirtualmachineisresumed,evenifitwascopiedormoved.Thenexttimethe
virtualmachineisrebooted,themessageappears.
Set the Virtual Machine to Always Keep or Always Create a UUID

IfavirtualmachineissettoalwayskeeporalwayscreateaUUID,usersarenot
promptedwhenavirtualmachineismovedorcopied.Youcansetthispropertyby
editingthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.
To set the virtual machine to always keep or always create a UUID
1
Opentheconfiguration(.vmx)filewithatexteditor.
Addthefollowingline:
uuid.action = "<action>"
Thevaluefor<action>canbeeithercreate,toalwaysgenerateanewUUID,or
keep,toalwaysretaintheUUID.
Specify a UUID for a Virtual Machine

AlthoughUUIDsareautomaticallyassignedtovirtualmachines,youcanoverridethe
generatedUUIDvalueandassignaspecificUUID.
TheUUIDisa128bitinteger.The16bytesofthisvalueareseparatedbyspaces,except
foradashbetweentheeighthandninthhexadecimalpairs.Followingisanexampleof
aUUID:
00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77-88 99 aa bb cc dd ee ff
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Chapter 10 Cloning, Moving, and Sharing Virtual Machines
To specify a UUID for a virtual machine

1
Opentheconfiguration(.vmx)filewithatexteditor.
Searchforthelinethatcontainsuuid.bios.
Theformatofthelineisuuid.bios = "<uuid_value>",withquotationmarks
aroundtheparametervalue.Followingisanexampleoftheconfigurationsetting:
uuid.bios = "00 11 22 33 44 55 66 77-88 99 aa bb cc dd ee ff"
ReplacetheexistingUUIDvaluewiththespecificUUIDvalue.
ThenewUUIDisusedwhenthevirtualmachineboots.
Cloning a Virtual Machine

Installingaguestoperatingsystemandapplicationscanbetimeconsuming.With
clones,youcanmakemanycopiesofavirtualmachinefromasingleinstallationand
configurationprocess.
Clonesareusefulwhenyoumustdeploymanyidenticalvirtualmachinestoagroup.
Forexample:
AnMISdepartmentcancloneavirtualmachineforeachemployee,withasuiteof
preconfiguredofficeapplications.
Avirtualmachinecanbeconfiguredwithacompletedevelopmentenvironment
andthenclonedrepeatedlyasabaselineconfigurationforsoftwaretesting.
Ateachercancloneavirtualmachineforeachstudent,withallthelessonsandlabs
requiredfortheterm.
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Withclonesyoucanmakecopiesofavirtualmachinewithoutbrowsingahostfile
systemorworryingifyouhavelocatedalltheconfigurationfiles.Theexisting
virtualmachineiscalledtheparentoftheclone.Whenthecloningoperationis
complete,theclonebecomesaseparatevirtualmachine.Thesearethemain
characteristicsofaclone:
Changesmadetoaclonedonotaffecttheparentvirtualmachine.Changes
madetotheparentvirtualmachinedonotappearinaclone.
AclonesMACaddressandUUIDaredifferentfromtheparentvirtual
machine.
Althoughacloneisaseparatevirtualmachine,ifthecloneisalinkedclone,itshares
virtualdiskswiththeparentvirtualmachine.SeeTypesofClonesonpage 220.
Types of Clones
Twotypesofclonesareavailable:fullandlinked.
Full Clones
Afullcloneisacompleteandindependentcopyofavirtualmachine.Itsharesnothing
withtheparentvirtualmachineafterthecloningoperation.Ongoingoperationofafull
cloneisentirelyseparatefromtheparentvirtualmachine.
Becauseafullclonedoesnotsharevirtualdiskswiththeparentvirtualmachine,full
clonesgenerallyperformbetterthanlinkedclones.However,fullclonestakelongerto
createthanlinkedclones.Creatingafullclonecantakeseveralminutesifthefiles
involvedarelarge.
Thefullcloneduplicatesonlythestateofthevirtualmachineattheinstantofthe
cloningoperation.Thusthefullclonedoesnothaveaccesstoanysnapshotsthatmight
existoftheparentvirtualmachine.
Linked Clones
Alinkedcloneisacopyofavirtualmachinethatsharesvirtualdiskswiththeparent
virtualmachineinanongoingmanner.Alinkedcloneismadefromasnapshotofthe
parent.SeeScenariosforUsingMultipleSnapshotsonpage 203.Thisconservesdisk
spaceandallowsmultiplevirtualmachinestousethesamesoftwareinstallation.
CAUTIONYoucannotdeletethelinkedclonesnapshotwithoutdestroyingthelinked
clone.Youcansafelydeletethissnapshotonlyifyoualsodeletetheclonethatdepends
onit.
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Allfilesavailableontheparentatthemomentyoutakethesnapshotcontinuetoremain
availabletothelinkedclone.Ongoingchangestothevirtualdiskoftheparentdonot
affectthelinkedclone,andchangestothediskofthelinkedclonedonotaffectthe
parent.
Alinkedclonemusthaveaccesstotheparent.Withoutaccesstotheparent,youcannot
usealinkedclone.Youcanmakealinkedclonefromalinkedclone,butkeepinmind
thattheperformanceofthelinkedclonedegrades.Whenpossible,makealinkedclone
oftheparentvirtualmachine.
Ifyoumakeafullclonefromalinkedclone,however,thefullcloneisanindependent
virtualmachinethatdoesnotrequireaccesstothelinkedcloneoritsparent.
Linkedclonesarecreatedswiftly,soyoucaneasilycreateauniquevirtualmachinefor
eachtask.Youcanalsoeasilyshareavirtualmachinewithotherusersbystoringthe
virtualmachineonyourlocalnetwork,whereotheruserscanquicklymakealinked
clone.Thisfacilitatescollaboration.Forexample,asupportteamcanreproduceabug
inavirtualmachine,andanengineercanquicklymakealinkedcloneofthatvirtual
machinetoworkonthebug.
Creating Clones
Ifyoudecidetocreatealinkedcloneandyouwanttopreventtheparentvirtual
machinefrombeingaccidentallydeleted,enabletemplatemodebeforeusingtheClone
VirtualMachinewizard.
Enable Template Mode for a Parent Virtual Machine of Linked Clones

Topreventanyonefromdeletingtheparentvirtualmachineforalinkedclone,
designatetheparentasatemplate.Whentemplatemodeisenabled,avirtualmachine
cannotbedeletedoraddedtoateam,andthevirtualmachinessnapshotscannotbe
deleted.
To enable template mode for a parent virtual machine of linked clones
1
Selectthevirtualmachinetouseasaparentofyourlinkedclone.
Verifythattheparenthasatleastonesnapshot.
Openthesnapshotmanagerandcreateasnapshotifnoneexists.SeeSnapshot
ManagerOverviewonpage 208.
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ChooseVM>Settings.
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ClicktheOptionstab,andselectAdvanced.
IntheSettingssection,clickEnableTemplatemode(tobeusedforcloning)and
clickOK.
Use the Clone Virtual Machine Wizard

TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardguidesyouthroughtheprocessofmakingaclone.
Youdonotneedtolocateandmanuallycopytheparentvirtualmachinefiles.
Beforemakingalinkedclone,defragmenttheguestoperatingsystemsdrivesonthe
parentvirtualmachine.Usethetoolsintheguestoperatingsystemtoruna
defragmentationutility.SeeDefragmentVirtualDisksonpage 239.
Forinformationaboutpreventingalinkedclonesparentvirtualmachinefrombeing
deleted,seeEnableTemplateModeforaParentVirtualMachineofLinkedCloneson
page 221.
NOTEWorkstation4.xvirtualmachines,andvirtualmachinescreatedwithother
VMwareproductsthatarecompatiblewithWorkstation4.x,mustbeupgradedtoat
leastWorkstation5.xvirtualmachinesbeforeyoucanclonethem.SeeChangethe
VersionofaVirtualMachineonpage 94.
To use the Clone Virtual Machine wizard
1
ChooseVM>ClonetoopentheCloneVirtualMachinewizard.
OntheWelcomepage,clickNext.
OntheCloneSourcepage,selectthestateoftheparentfromwhichyouwantto
createacloneandclickNext.
Youcanchoosetocreateaclonefromtheparentscurrentstateorfromanyexisting
snapshotoftheparent.Ifyouselectthecurrentstate,Workstationcreatesa
snapshotofthevirtualmachinebeforecloningit.
Thewizarddoesnotallowyoutoclonefromthecurrentstatewhentemplatemode
isenabled.
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OntheCloneTypepage,specifywhethertocreatealinkedcloneorafullcloneand
clickNext.
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OntheNameoftheNewVirtualMachinepage,enteranameandapathforthe
clonedvirtualmachineandclickFinish.
Afullclonecantakemanyminutestocreate,dependingonthesizeofthevirtual
diskthatisbeingduplicated.
ClickClosetoexittheCloneVirtualMachinewizard.
TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardautomaticallycreatesanewMACaddressand
UUIDfortheclone.Otherconfigurationinformationisidenticaltothatofthe
parentvirtualmachine.Forexample,amachinesnameandstaticIPaddress
configurationarenotalteredbytheCloneVirtualMachinewizard.
TopreventconflictwithstaticIPaddressing,changetheclonesstaticIPaddress
beforethecloneconnectstothenetwork.
SeeSelectingIPAddressesonaHostOnlyNetworkorNATConfigurationon
page 304.
Moving a Virtual Machine

YoucantakeavirtualmachinethatwascreatedbyusingWorkstationandmoveittoa
differentcomputerortoadifferentlocationonthesamecomputer.Youcanevenmove
avirtualmachinetoahostwithadifferentoperatingsystem.Forexample,youcan
moveavirtualmachinefromaWindowshosttoaLinuxorESXServerhost.
Ingeneral,movingavirtualmachinemeansmovingthefilesthatmakeupthevirtual
machine.ThepathnamesforallfilesassociatedwithaWorkstationvirtualmachineare
relative,meaningthepathtoeachfileisrelativetothevirtualmachinedirectory.For
example,ifyouareinthevirtualmachinedirectory,therelativepathtothevirtualdisk
fileis<machine_name>.vmdk.
CAUTIONAlwaysmakebackupcopiesofallthefilesinavirtualmachinesdirectory
beforeyoumoveavirtualmachine.
Hosts with Different Hardware

Theguestoperatingsystemmightnotworkcorrectlyifyoumoveavirtualmachineto
ahostwithsignificanthardwaredifferences,suchasfroma64bithosttoa32bithost
orfromamultiprocessorhosttoauniprocessorhost.
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Moving Between 64-Bit and 32-Bit Hosts

Youcanmoveavirtualmachinefroma32bithosttoa64bithostbutnotfroma64bit
hosttoa32bithostunlessthe32bithosthasasupported64bitprocessor.
NOTEWorkstationsupports64bitguestoperatingsystemsonlyinWorkstation 5.5
andhigher,andonlyonhostmachineswithsupportedprocessors.Whenyoupoweron
avirtualmachinewitha64bitguestoperatingsystem,Workstationperformsan
internalcheck.IfthehostCPUisnotasupported64bitprocessor,youcannotpower
onthevirtualmachine.ForthelistofprocessorsWorkstationsupportsfor64bitguest
operatingsystems,seePCHardwareonpage 23.
Moving Between Multiprocessor and Uniprocessor Hosts

Forallsupportedconfigurationsof32bitand64bithostandguestoperatingsystems
runningonmultiprocessorhostmachines,Workstation5.5andhighervirtualmachines
supportfourwayvirtualsymmetricmultiprocessing(SMP).Thissupportenablesyou
toassignuptofourvirtualprocessorstoavirtualmachine.Thisissupportedonlyfor
hostmachineswithatleasttwologicalprocessors.SeeUseFourWayVirtual
SymmetricMultiprocessingonpage 366.
NOTEIfthehostisauniprocessormachine,assigningtwoprocessorsisnotsupported.
Awarningmessageappears.Youcandisregardthismessageandassigntwoprocessors
tothevirtualmachine,butwhenyoufinishcreatingthevirtualmachine,youcannot
poweritonunlessyoumoveittoahostmachinewithatleasttwologicalprocessors.
Open a Virtual Machine Created in ESX Server That Has More Than Two
Processors
YoucanuseWorkstation5.5orhigher,runningonamultiprocessorhostmachine,to
openavirtualmachinecreatedinVMwareESXServerthathasoneormorevirtual
processors.However,inWorkstationyoucannotpoweronorresumeavirtualmachine
thathasmorethantwovirtualprocessorsassigned,evenifmoreprocessorswere
assignedwhenthevirtualmachinewascreatedinESXServer.
Youcanseethissettinginthevirtualmachinessummaryvieworbyusingthevirtual
machinesettingseditor.
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To open a virtual machine created in ESX Server that has more than two
processors
1
SelectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>Settings>Hardware>Processors.
NotethatNumberofProcessorsissettoOther(x),wherexisthenumberof
processorsoriginallyassignedinESXServer.
Workstationpreservesthisoriginalconfigurationsettingforthenumberof
processors,eventhoughtwoisthemaximumnumberofprocessorssupported.
Changethissettingtotwoprocessorssothatyoucanpoweronthevirtualmachine
inWorkstation.
Afteryoucommitachangetothissetting,theoriginalsettingfornumberof
processorsisdiscarded,andnolongerappearsasanoptioninthevirtualmachine
settingseditor.
Move a Virtual Machine to a New Location or a New Host

Youcanmovethevirtualmachinetoadifferentlocationonthesamehostormoveitto
anewhost.
FormoreinformationaboutcompatibilitybetweenVMwareproducts,seetheVMware
VirtualMachineMobilityPlanningGuide.
To move a virtual machine to a new location or a new host
1
Makesurethatallthevirtualmachinefilesarestoredinthevirtualmachine
directory.
Forexample,ifyouconfiguredtheworkingdirectorytoresideinadifferent
locationonthehost,moveitintothevirtualmachinedirectoryandusethevirtual
machinesettingseditor(VM>Settings>Options>General)topointtothis
location.
Ifthevirtualmachineyouwanttomoveisalinkedclone,seeMovingLinked
Clonesonpage 227.
VMware, Inc.
Shutdowntheguestoperatingsystemandpoweroffthevirtualmachine.
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Copyallthefilesinthevirtualmachinedirectorytothenewlocation.
Tomovethevirtualmachinesfilestoanotherhost,ifyoudonothaveanetwork
connectiontothenewhost,useasharednetworkdirectory,burnthefilesontoa
DVD,orusesomeotherstoragemediathathasenoughdiskspace.
Formoreinformationaboutthefilesthatyouaremoving,seeFilesThatMakeUp
aVirtualMachineonpage 97.
Onthenewhost,startWorkstation,chooseFile>Open,andbrowsetothevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)fileinitsnewlocation.
(Optional)Ifyouaremovingthevirtualmachinetoadifferentlocationonthesame
host,removethevirtualmachinefromtheFavoriteslistandadditagainusingthe
newlocation.
Whenyouarecertainthatthevirtualmachineinthenewlocationworkscorrectly,
deletethevirtualmachinefilesfromtheoldlocation,ifneeded.
Ifthevirtualmachineinthenewlocationisnotworkingcorrectly,examinethe
virtualmachineintheoriginallocationtodetermineifyoumissedcopyingsome
files.Somefilesmightresideoutsideofthevirtualmachinedirectory.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditor(VM>Settings>Hardware)toselect
devicesanddeterminewhetheranyassociatedfilespointtolocationsthatcannot
beaccessedfromthenewlocation.
WorkstationgeneratesadifferentMACaddressforthevirtualnetworkadapterwhen
youmoveavirtualmachinetoanewhostcomputerortoadifferentdirectoryonthe
samehostcomputer.AnewMACaddressisalsogeneratedwhenyourenamea
directoryinthepathtothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.SeeMaintainingand
ChangingtheMACAddressofaVirtualMachineonpage 308.
Moving an Older Virtual Machine

IfyoucreatedavirtualmachinebyusingWorkstation2.xor3.x,youmustupgradeit
toatleastWorkstation4.Workstation7.0doesnotsupportWorkstation2or3virtual
machines.
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Moving Linked Clones

YoucanmovealinkedcloneasyoudoanordinaryWorkstationvirtualmachine.
However,ifyoumovealinkedclone(orifyoumoveitsparentvirtualmachine),make
suretheclonecanaccesstheparentvirtualmachine.Placetheparentinshared
directoryoronanetworkedfileserver.
Forexample,ifyouputalinkedcloneonalaptopandtheparentremainsonanother
machine,youcanusethecloneonlywhenthelaptopconnectstothenetworkordrive
wheretheparentisstored.Touseaclonedvirtualmachineonadisconnectedlaptop,
youmustuseafullcloneoryoumustmovetheparentvirtualmachinetothelaptop.
YoucannotpoweronalinkedcloneifWorkstationcannotlocatetheoriginalvirtual
machine.
Sharing Virtual Machines with Other Users

Ifyouwantotheruserstobeabletoaccessyourvirtualmachines,considerthe
followingpoints:
Onlyoneusercanrunavirtualmachineatatime.Otheruserscanalsosharea
virtualmachinebymakingalinkedcloneofit.Alinkedcloneisacopythatuses
thesamevirtualdisksastheparentvirtualmachineitwascopiedfrom.See
CloningaVirtualMachineonpage 219.
OnWindowshosts,relocatethevirtualmachinefilestoadirectorythatis
accessibletoallappropriateusers.ThedefaultlocationforaWindowshostisnot
typicallyaccessibletootherusers:
OnWindowsXP:C:\Documents and Settings\<user_name>\My

Documents\My Virtual Machines
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7:
C:\Users\<user_name>\Documents\Virtual Machines
WhenyouconfigurethevirtualmachineintheNewVirtualMachinewizard,you
canspecifyalocationforthevirtualmachineelsewhereonyoursystemorona
networkvolume.
OnLinuxhosts,setpermissionsforthevirtualmachinefilesappropriately.
Permissionssettingsareespeciallyimportantfortheconfigurationfile(.vmx)and
virtualdisks(.vmdk).Forexample,ifyouwantuserstorunavirtualmachinebut
notbeabletomodifyitsconfiguration,donotmaketheconfigurationfilewritable.
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Using VNC for Remote Connections to a Virtual Machine

Virtualnetworkcomputing(VNC)softwareenablesyoutoviewandinteractwithone
computerfromanyothercomputerormobiledeviceanywhereontheInternet.
VNCsoftwareiscrossplatform,allowingremotecontrolbetweendifferenttypesof
computers.Forexample,youcanuseVNCtoviewaLinuxmachineonyourWindows
PC.OpensourceversionsofVNCarefreelyandpubliclyavailable.
YoucanuseWorkstationtosetavirtualmachinetoactasaVNCserver,anduserson
othercomputerscaninstallaVNCclient(alsocalledaVNCviewer)toconnecttothe
virtualmachine.AfteryousetupavirtualmachineasaVNCserver,youcanseealist
ofuserswhoareremotelyconnectedtothevirtualmachineandfindouthowlongthey
havebeenconnected.
WorkstationdoesnotneedtoberunningwhenVNCconnectionsaremade.Onlythe
virtualmachineneedstoberunning,anditcanberunninginthebackground.
Configure a Virtual Machine as a VNC Server

YoudonotneedtoinstallspecializedVNCsoftwareinavirtualmachinetosetitupas
aVNCserver.
To configure a virtual machine as a VNC server
1
SelectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstabandselectRemoteDisplay.
ClickEnableremotedisplay.
Afterremotedisplayisenabledandusersconnecttothevirtualmachinewitha
VNCclient,usetheViewConnectedUsersbuttononRemoteDisplaysettings
paneltoseealistoftheconnectedusers.
(Optional)Changetheportnumber.
ToconnecttomultiplevirtualmachinesonthesamehostwithaVNCclient,
specifyauniqueportnumberforeachvirtualmachine.VMwaresuggeststhatyou
useaportnumberintherangefrom5901to6001.
Keepinmindthatotherapplicationsusecertainportnumbers,andsomeport
numbersareprivileged(onlytherootorAdministratorusercanlisten).For
example,theVMwareManagementInterfaceusesports8333and8222.OnLinux,
onlytherootusercanlistentoportsuptoportnumber1024.
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(Optional)SetapasswordforconnectingtothevirtualmachinefromaVNCclient.
Thepasswordcanbeupto8characterslong.Becauseitisnotencryptedwhenthe
VNCclientsendsit,donotuseapasswordthatyouuseforothersystems.
ClickOK.
AfteryousetupavirtualmachineasaVNCserver,youcanseealistofuserswhoare
remotelyconnectedtothevirtualmachineandfindouthowlongtheyhavebeen
connected.Toseethelist,rightclicktheVNCiconinthestatusbarandchoose
ConnectedUsers.
Use a VNC Client to Connect to a Virtual Machine

YoucaninstallaVNCclientonyourhostandconnecttoarunningvirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,determinethemachinenameorIPaddressofthehostonwhichthe
virtualmachineisrunningand,ifapplicable,theVNCportnumberandpassword.See
ConfigureaVirtualMachineasaVNCServeronpage 228.
ForinformationaboutmappingthekeyboardtolanguagesotherthanU.S.English,see
SpecifyaLanguageKeyboardMapforVNCClientsonpage 341.
Thefollowingissuesareknowntooccurwhenyouconnecttovirtualmachineswitha
VNCclient:
Youcannottakeorreverttosnapshots.
Youcannotchangethepowerstateofthevirtualmachine.Thatis,youcannot
poweron,poweroff,suspend,orresume.Althoughyoucannotpoweroff,youcan
shutdowntheguestoperatingsystem,andshuttingdownmightpoweroffthe
virtualmachine.
Youcannotcopyandpastetextbetweenthehostandguestoperatingsystem.
Youcannotconfigurethevirtualmachinewiththevirtualmachinesettingseditor.
Remotedisplaydoesnotworkwellifyouarealsousingthe3Dfeature.This
featureisdescribedinSupportforDirect3DGraphicsonpage 173.
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To use a VNC client to connect to a virtual machine

1
Onalocalorremotecomputer,startaVNCclient.
YoucanuseanyVNCclient,butnotaJavaviewerinabrowser.Todownloadand
installaVNCclient,checkoneofthemanyWebsiteswhereyoucanbuyorgetone
forfree.
Makesuretheclientissetforhextileencoding.
Forexample,ifyouuseRealVNCViewer,underthePreferredEncodingoption,
selectHextile.
Settheclienttouseallcolors.
Forexample,ifyouuseRealVNCViewer,undertheColourLeveloption,select
Full(allavailablecolours).
WhenpromptedfortheVNCservername,enterthenameorIPaddressofthehost
computerandtheportnumber.
Usetheformat:
<machine_name>:<port_number>
Enterapasswordifyouarepromptedtodoso.
Make Virtual Machines Available for Streaming from a

Web Server
Withvirtualmachine(VM)streaming,virtualdiskdataisfetchedondemand.Youcan
poweronavirtualmachinesoonafteryoubegindownloadingitfromaWebserver.
Downloadingavirtualmachineina.zipor.tarfilefromaWebservercantakea
considerableamountoftime,dependingonthesizeofthevirtualmachine.TouseVM
streaming,youplacethevirtualmachinedirectoryontheWebserverwithoutzipping
it.VMwarerecommendsthatyouconfiguretheWebservertosupportpersistent
connections(HTTPkeepaliveconnections).
To make virtual machines available for streaming from a Web server
1
Ifthevirtualmachinehasanysnapshots,deletethem.
SeeDeleteaSnapshotoraRecordingonpage 212.
(Optional)Toimprovestreamingperformance,useVirtualDiskManagerto
compressthevirtualdiskfiles(.vmdkfiles)foravirtualmachine.
SeetheVirtualDiskManagerUsersGuide,intheVirtualDiskDevelopmentKit.
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DependingonthetypeofWebserver,usethefollowingkeepalivesettings:
ForApacheHTTPServer1.2andhigher,turntheKeepAliveoptionon,set
MaxKeepAliveRequestto2000to5000,andsetKeepAliveTimeoutto2000to
5000seconds,dependingonserverload.
ForMicrosoftInternetInformationServices(IIS)6.0andhigher,setthe
connectiontimeouttoavalueabove300secondsandloadHTTP
KeepAlives.
Onproxyservers,settheproxyconnectiontoKeepalive.
UploadthevirtualmachinedirectorytotheWebserver.
AfteravirtualmachineisplacedonaWebserver,userscanuseaURLtostreamitand
startitwithWorkstationorVMwarePlayer.SeeStartaVirtualMachinebyUsingVM
Streamingonpage 149.
Sharing Virtual Machines with VMware Player

VMwarePlayerisafreeapplicationthatopensandplaysvirtualmachinescreatedwith
otherVMwareproducts.OnWindowshosts,VMwarePlayeralsoopensandplays
MicrosoftVirtualPCandVirtualServervirtualmachinesandSymantecLiveState
Recoveryandsystemimages.
VMwarePlayerisincludedwithWorkstation5.5andhigher.StandalonePlayeris
alsofreelyavailablefordownloadathttp://www.vmware.com/products/player/.
WithVMwarePlayeryoucancreatevirtualmachinesandmakeyourVMwarevirtual
machinesaccessibletocolleagues,partners,customers,andclientswhodonotown
otherVMwareproducts.
NOTEUseofVMwarePlayerissubjecttotheVMwarePlayerEndUserLicenseterms,
andVMwaredoesnotprovidetechnicalsupportforVMwarePlayer.
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Start and Exit VMware Player

VMwarePlayerisincludedintheWorkstationdistribution.Whenyouinstall
Workstation,theapplicationfile(vmplayer.exeonWindowsorvmplayeronLinux),
isstoredwiththerestofyourWorkstationprogramfiles.
To start and exit VMware Player
1
OpenVMwarePlayer,eitherfromthegraphicaluserinterface(GUI)orfromthe
commandline:
FromtheGUI,onWindows,chooseVMwarePlayerfromtheStart>
Programs>VMwaremenu.
InaLinuxXsession,chooseVMwarePlayerfromthecorrespondingprogram
menu,suchastheSystemToolsmenu.
Fromthecommandline,openacommandprompt,andenteroneofthe
followingcommands:
OnWindows,enter<path>vmplayer.exe
The<path>valueisthepathonyoursystemtotheapplicationfile.
OnLinux,entervmplayer &
Tostreamthevirtualmachine,usethecommandwiththevirtualmachine
URL(forexample,vmplayer http://server.acme.com/myVM.vmx).
Formoreinformation,seeMakeVirtualMachinesAvailablefor
StreamingfromaWebServeronpage 230.
FromtheWelcomepage,youcan:
Browsetoavirtualmachinefile.
Openarecentlyusedvirtualmachine.
DownloadavirtualappliancefromtheVMTN(VMwareTechnology
Network)Website.
Openavirtualmachine.
ForinstructionsonusingandconfiguringVMwarePlayer,seetheonlinehelp
providedinVMwarePlayer.FromtheVMwarePlayermenubar,chooseHelp>
HelpTopics.
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ToexitVMwarePlayer,dooneofthefollowing:
Shutdowntheguestoperatingsysteminthevirtualmachine.
VMwarePlayerclosesaftertheguestoperatingsystemshutsdown.
InVMwarePlayer,chooseFile>Exit(Windows)orFile>Quit(Linux).
VMwarePlayereithersuspendsorpowersoffthevirtualmachine,dependingon
thepreferenceyousetforexitbehaviorinFile>Preferences.
WhenyouexitVMwarePlayerthatisusingastreamedvirtualmachine,youare
promptedtosaveordiscardchanges.Ifyoudiscardchanges,thedirectorythat
wascreatedonyourlocalmachineandallthevirtualmachinedataaredeleted.
Setting Up Virtual Machines for Use with VMware Player

Whenyoucreateavirtualmachinethatyouintendtodistributetootherusers,
configurethevirtualmachineformaximumcompatibilitywithallexpectedhost
systems.BecausetheconfigurationoptionsforVMwarePlayerarelimited,usersare
limitedintheirabilitytomakechangesinavirtualmachinesothatitiscompatiblewith
theirhostsystems.
Followingarerecommendationstohelpyouconfigurevirtualmachinesformaximum
compatibilitywithVMwarePlayerandwiththewidestrangeofhostmachines:
Determinewhichvirtualdevicesareactuallyrequired,anddonotincludeanythat
arenotneededorusefulforthesoftwareyouaredistributingwiththevirtual
machineandVMwarePlayer.Forexample,genericSCSIdevicesaretypicallynot
appropriate.
Toconnectaphysicaldevicetoavirtualdevice,usetheAutodetectoptionswhen
configuringthevirtualmachine.TheAutodetectoptionsallowthevirtual
machinetoadapttotheuserssystem,andtheyworkwhetherthehostoperating
systemisWindowsorLinux.Userswhohavenophysicaldevicereceiveawarning
message.
ToconnectaCDROMorfloppytoanimagefilethatyoushipwiththevirtual
machine,makesuretheimagefileisinthesamedirectoryasthevirtualmachine.
Thisway,arelativepath,ratherthananabsolutepath,isused.
ForbothaphysicalCDROMandanimage,providetwovirtualCDROMdevices
inthevirtualmachine.VMwarePlayerdoesnotprovideanoptionintheuser
interfacetoswitchasingleCDROMdevicebetweenaphysicalCDROMandan
image.Thisalsomeansthatifyouwanttoshipmultipleimages,theusercannot
switchbetweenthem.
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Chooseareasonableamountofmemorytoallocatetothevirtualmachine.Ifthe
usershostmachinedoesnothaveenoughphysicalmemorytosupportthe
memoryallocation,VMwarePlayercannotpoweronthevirtualmachine.
InstallVMwareToolsinthevirtualmachine.VMwareToolssignificantlyimproves
theusersexperienceworkingwiththevirtualmachine.
Chooseareasonablescreenresolutionfortheguest.Auserislikelytofinditeasier
toincreasetheresolutionmanuallythantodealwithadisplaythatexceedsthe
usersphysicalscreensize.
SomehostoperatingsystemsdonotsupportCDROMsinnonlegacymode.To
ensurethatCDROMsworkproperlyinvirtualmachinesthatyouintendto
distributeandplayonVMwarePlayer,configureCDROMdevicesinlegacy
mode.SeeLegacyEmulationforDVDandCDDrivesonpage 252.
SelectanappropriatesettinginVM>Settings>Options>Snapshots>When
poweringoff.SetthisoptiontoJustpowerofforReverttosnapshot.VMware
Playerdoesnotallowtakingsnapshots.
TheoptionReverttosnapshotisusefulifyouwanttodistributeademothatresets
itselftoacleanstatewhenpoweredoff.
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11
Using Disks and Disk Drives
11
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoconfigurevirtualharddiskstorageto
bestmeetyourneeds.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
VirtualMachineDiskStorageonpage 235
VirtualDiskMaintenanceTasksonpage 238
AddingVirtualandPhysicalDiskstoaVirtualMachineonpage 241
AddingDVD/CDROMandFloppyDrivestoaVirtualMachineonpage 250
UsingVMwareVirtualDiskManageronpage 254
UsingDualBootComputerswithVirtualMachinesonpage 254
LegacyVirtualDisksonpage 254
Virtual Machine Disk Storage

Likeaphysicalcomputer,aVMwareWorkstationvirtualmachinestoresitsoperating
system,programs,anddatafilesononeormoreharddisks.Unlikeaphysical
computer,Workstationprovideswaystoundochangestothevirtualmachineshard
disk.
TheNewVirtualMachinewizardcreatesavirtualmachinewithonediskdrive.Usethe
virtualmachinesettingseditor(chooseVM>Settings)toaddmorediskdrivestoyour
virtualmachine,toremovediskdrivesfromyourvirtualmachine,andtochange
certainsettingsfortheexistingdiskdrives.
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Benefits of Using Virtual Disks

Inmostcases,itisbesttoconfigurevirtualmachinestousevirtualharddisksrather
thanphysicalharddisks.Avirtualdiskisafileorsetoffilesthatappearsasaphysical
diskdrivetoaguestoperatingsystem.Thefilescanbeonthehostmachineorona
remotecomputer.Whenyouconfigureavirtualmachinewithavirtualdisk,youcan
installanewoperatingsystemontothevirtualdiskwithoutrepartitioningaphysical
diskorrebootingthehost.
Portability
Akeyadvantageofvirtualdisksistheirportability.Becausethevirtualdisksarestored
asfilesonthehostmachineoraremotecomputer,youcanmovethemeasilytoanew
locationonthesamecomputerortoadifferentcomputer.YoucanalsouseWorkstation
onaWindowshosttocreatevirtualdisks,movethemtoaLinuxcomputer,anduse
themwithWorkstationforLinux,andthereverse.SeeMovingaVirtualMachineon
page 223.
Disk Size and Files

Virtualdiskscanbeaslargeas950GB(IDEorSCSI).Dependingonthesizeofthe
virtualdiskandthehostoperatingsystem,Workstationcreatesoneormorefilesto
holdeachvirtualdisk.Thesefilesincludeinformationsuchastheoperatingsystem,
programfiles,anddatafiles.Thevirtualdiskfileshavea.vmdkextension.
Bydefault,theactualfilesthatthevirtualdiskusesstartsmallandgrowtotheir
maximumsizeasneeded.Themainadvantageofthisapproachisthesmallerfilesize.
Smallerfilesrequirelessstoragespaceandareeasiertomovetoanewlocation.
However,ittakeslongertowritedatatoadiskconfiguredinthisway.
Youcanalsoconfigurevirtualdiskssothatallofthediskspaceisallocatedwhenthe
virtualdiskiscreated.Thisapproachprovidesenhancedperformanceandisusefulif
youarerunningperformancesensitiveapplicationsinthevirtualmachine.
Regardlessofwhetheryouallocatealldiskspaceinadvance,youcanconfigurethe
virtualdisktouseasetoffileslimitedto2GBperfile.Usethisoptionifyouplanto
movethevirtualdisktoafilesystemthatdoesnotsupportfileslargerthan2GB.
Lock Files
Arunningvirtualmachinecreateslockfilestopreventconsistencyproblemsonvirtual
disks.Withoutlocks,multiplevirtualmachinesmightreadandwritetothedisk,
causingdatacorruption.
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Chapter 11 Using Disks and Disk Drives
Lockfilesarecreatedinsubdirectorieswitha.lcksuffix.Thelockingsubdirectories
resideinthesamedirectoryasthevirtualmachines.vmdkfiles.Alockingsubdirectory
andlockfilearecreatedfor.vmdkfiles,.vmxfiles,and.vmemfiles.
SincetheWorkstation6.0release,aunifiedlockingmethodisusedonallhostoperating
systems,sofilessharedbetweenthemarefullyprotected.Forexample,ifoneuseron
aLinuxhosttriestopoweronavirtualmachinethatisalreadypoweredonbyanother
userwithaWindowshost,thelockfilespreventtheseconduserfrompoweringonthe
virtualmachine.
Whenavirtualmachinepowersoff,itremovesthelockingsubdirectoriesandtheirlock
files.Ifitcannotremovetheselockingcontrols,oneormorestalelockfilesmight
remain.Forexample,ifthehostmachinefailsbeforethevirtualmachineremovesits
lockingcontrols,stalelockfilesremain.
Whenthevirtualmachinerestarts,itscansanylockingsubdirectoriesforstalelockfiles
and,whenpossible,removesthem.Alockfileisconsideredstaleifbothofthe
followingconditionsaretrue:
Thelockfilewascreatedonthesamehostthatisnowrunningthevirtualmachine.
Theprocessthatcreatedthelockisnolongerrunning.
Ifeitheroftheseconditionsisnottrue,adialogboxwarnsyouthatthevirtualmachine
cannotbepoweredon.Youcandeletethelockingdirectoriesandtheirlockfiles
manually.
Locksalsoprotectphysicaldiskpartitions.However,thehostoperatingsystemisnot
awareofthislockingconventionandthusdoesnotrecognizeit.Forthisreason,
VMwarerecommendsthatthephysicaldiskforavirtualmachinenotbeinstalledon
thesamephysicaldiskasthehostoperatingsystem.
IDE and SCSI Disk Types

VirtualdiskscanbesetupasIDEdisksforanyguestoperatingsystem.Theycanbeset
upasSCSIdisksforanyguestoperatingsystemwithadriverfortheLSILogicor
BusLogicSCSIadapteravailableinaWorkstationvirtualmachine.Youdetermine
whichSCSIadaptertouseatthetimeyoucreatethevirtualmachine.
NOTETouseSCSIdisksina32bitWindowsXPvirtualmachine,downloadaspecial
SCSIdriverfromtheDownloadspageoftheVMwareWebsite.Followtheinstructions
ontheWebsitetousethedriverwithafreshinstallationofWindowsXP.
Avirtualdiskofeithertypecanbestoredoneithertypeofphysicalharddisk.Thatis,
thefilesthatmakeupanIDEorSCSIvirtualdiskcanbestoredonanIDEharddiskor
aSCSIharddisk.Theycanalsobestoredonothertypesoffastaccessstoragemedia.
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Physical Disks
Insomecircumstances,youmightneedtogiveyourvirtualmachinedirectaccesstoa
physicalharddriveonthehostcomputer.Aphysicaldiskdirectlyaccessesanexisting
localdiskorpartition.Youcanusephysicaldiskstorunoneormoreguestoperating
systemsfromexistingdiskpartitions.
CAUTIONDonotattemptphysicaldiskconfigurationsunlessyouareanexpertuser.
Althoughvirtualdisksarelimitedto950GB,physicaldiskscanbesetuponbothIDE
andSCSIdevicesofupto2TBcapacity.Bootingfromanoperatingsystemalreadyset
uponanexistingSCSIdiskorpartitioniscurrentlynotsupported.
CAUTIONRunninganoperatingsystemnativelyonthehostcomputerandswitching
torunningitinsideavirtualmachineislikepullingtheharddriveoutofonecomputer
andinstallingitinasecondcomputerwithadifferentmotherboardandhardware.The
stepsyoutakedependontheoperatingsystemyouwanttouseinsidethevirtual
machine.SeetheVMwaretechnicalnoteDualBootComputersandVirtualMachineson
theVMwareWebsite.
Youcanalsocreateanewvirtualmachinethatusesaphysicaldisk.SeeUsingPhysical
DisksinaVirtualMachineonpage 244.Inmostcases,however,itisbettertousea
virtualdisk.Ifyouuseaphysicaldisk,the.vmdkfilestoresinformationaboutthe
physicaldiskorpartitionthatthevirtualmachineuses.
Afteryouconfigureavirtualmachinetouseoneormorepartitionsonaphysicaldisk,
donotmodifythepartitiontablesbyrunningfdiskorasimilarutilityintheguest
operatingsystem.
Ifyouusefdiskorasimilarutilityonthehostoperatingsystemtomodifythepartition
tableofthephysicaldisk,youmustrecreatethevirtualmachinesphysicaldisk.All
filesthatwereonthephysicaldiskarelostwhenyoumodifythepartitiontable.
Virtual Disk Maintenance Tasks

Defragmentingvirtualdiskscanimproveperformance.Compactingvirtualdisks
reclaimsanyunusedspace.Expandingvirtualdisksaddsstoragespacetoyourvirtual
machine.
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Defragment Virtual Disks

Likephysicaldiskdrives,virtualdiskscanbecomefragmented.Defragmentingdisks
rearrangesfiles,programs,andunusedspaceonthevirtualdisksothatprogramsrun
fasterandfilesopenmorequickly.
Beforeyoudefragmentavirtualdisk,makesureyouhaveadequatefreeworkingspace
onthehostcomputer.Ifyourvirtualdiskiscontainedinasinglefile,forexample,you
needfreespaceequaltothesizeofthevirtualdiskfile.Othervirtualdisk
configurationsrequirelessfreespace.
Makesurethevirtualdiskisnotmapped(onWindowsguests)ormounted(onLinux
guests).Youcannotdefragmentavirtualdiskwhileitismappedormounted.
Defragmentingdoesnotreclaimunusedspaceonavirtualdisk.Toreclaimunused
space,compactthedisk.SeeCompactaVirtualDiskonpage 240.
To defragment a virtual disk
1
Runadiskdefragmentationutilityinsidetheguestoperatingsystem.
Forexample,inavirtualmachinewithaWindowsXPguestoperatingsystem,use
theWindowsXPDiskDefragmentertoolfromwithinthevirtualmachine.
Defragmentingdiskscantakeconsiderabletime.
Ifthevirtualdiskisgrowableratherthanpreallocated,defragmentitbyusing
theWorkstationdefragmentationtool:
a
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectHardDisk,anddooneofthefollowing:
e
3
OnLinuxhosts,clickDefragment.
OnWindowshosts,clickUtilitiesandchooseDefragment.
Whentheprocessisfinished,clickOK.
Runadiskdefragmentationutilityonthehostcomputer.
Defragmentingdiskscantakeconsiderabletime.
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Compact a Virtual Disk

Compactingavirtualdiskreclaimsunusedspaceinthevirtualdisk.Ifadiskhasempty
space,thisprocessreducestheamountofspacethevirtualdiskoccupiesonthehost
drive.
Makesurethefollowingprerequisitesaremet:
Thevirtualmachineispoweredoff.
Thevirtualdiskisnotmapped(onWindowsguests)ormounted(onLinux
guests).Youcannotcompactavirtualdiskwhileitismappedormounted.
Thediskspaceisnotpreallocatedforthevirtualharddisk.Usethevirtualmachine
settingseditortoviewthediskinformationforthisvirtualharddisk.Ifthedisk
spacewaspreallocated,youcannotcompactthedisk.
Ifthevirtualharddiskisanindependentdisk,itisinpersistentmode.
Tochangethemode,seeExcludeaVirtualDiskfromSnapshotsonpage 207for
adescriptionofindependentdisks.
To compact a virtual disk

1
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectHardDiskforthevirtualharddiskyouwantto
compact.
SelectUtilities>Compact
ClickOKafterthediskcompactingprocessiscomplete.
Expand a Virtual Disk

Expandingavirtualdiskaddsstoragespacetoyourvirtualmachine.However,the
addedspaceisnotavailabletoyourvirtualmachineimmediately.Tomaketheadded
spaceavailable,youmustuseadiskmanagementtooltoincreasethesizeoftheexisting
partitiononyourvirtualdisktomatchtheexpandedvirtualdisksize.Thedisk
managementtoolyouusedependsontheoperatingsystemofyourvirtualmachine.
Manyoperatingsystems,includingWindowsVista,Windows7,andsomeversionsof
Linux,providebuiltindiskmanagementtoolsthatcanresizepartitions.Anumberof
thirdpartydiskmanagementtoolsarealsoavailable,suchasSymantec/Norton
PartitionMagic,EASEUSPartitionMaster,AcronisDiskDirector,andtheopensource
toolGParted.
Asanalternativetoexpandingyourvirtualdisk,youcanaddanewvirtualdisktoyour
virtualmachine.SeeAddaNewVirtualDisktoaVirtualMachineonpage 242.
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Makesurethefollowingprerequisitesaremet:
Thevirtualmachineispoweredoff.
Thevirtualdiskisnotmapped(onWindowsguests)ormounted(onLinux
guests).Youcannotexpandavirtualdiskwhileitismappedormounted.
Thevirtualmachinehasnosnapshots.
Thevirtualmachineisnotalinkedcloneortheparentofalinkedclone.
Todeterminewhetherthevirtualmachinehassnapshots,isalinkedclone,oristhe
parentofalinkedclone,checktheinformationatthetopoftheSummarytabforthe
virtualmachine.
To expand a virtual disk
1
SelectVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectHardDiskforthevirtualharddisktoexpand.
SelectUtilities>Expand.
Setthenewmaximumsizeforthevirtualdisk.
SelectExpand.
ClickOKafterthediskexpansionprocessiscomplete.
Afteryouexpandthevirtualdisk,youmustuseadiskmanagementtooltoincreasethe
diskpartitionsizetomatchtheexpandedvirtualdisksize.
Adding Virtual and Physical Disks to a Virtual Machine

Thisprovidesinstructionsforcreatingvirtualdisks,removingdisks,addingexisting
diskstovirtualmachines,andusingphysicaldisksinavirtualmachine.
YoucanconnectotherSCSIdevicestoavirtualmachinebyusingthegenericSCSI
driverforthehostoperatingsystem.SeeAddaGenericSCSIDevicetoaVirtual
Machineonpage 363.
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Add a New Virtual Disk to a Virtual Machine

Toincreasestoragespace,youcanaddanewvirtualdisktoavirtualmachine.Virtual
disksarestoredasfilesonthehostcomputeroronanetworkfileserver.A virtualIDE
driveorSCSIdrivecanbestoredonaphysicalIDEdriveorSCSIdrive.
NOTEIfyouhaveaWindowsNT4.0guestwithaSCSIvirtualdisk,youcannotadd
bothanadditionalSCSIdiskandanIDEdisktotheconfiguration.
Asanalternativetoaddinganewvirtualdisktoyourvirtualmachine,youcanexpand
yourexistingvirtualdisk.SeeExpandaVirtualDiskonpage 240.
To add a new virtual disk to a virtual machine
1
OntheHardwaretab,clickAddtostarttheAddHardwarewizard.
OntheHardwareTypepage,selectHardDiskandclickNext.
OntheSelectaDiskpage,selectCreateanewvirtualdiskandclickNext.
OntheSelectaDiskTypepage,chooseIDEdiskorSCSI.
SeeIDEandSCSIDiskTypesonpage 237.
Workstation7.0virtualmachinescanuseupto4IDEdevicesandupto60SCSI
devices.AnyofthesedevicescanbeavirtualorphysicalharddiskorDVDor
CDROMdrive.
(Optional)Toexcludedisksfromsnapshots,intheModesection,select
Independentforthemodeandchooseoneofthefollowingoptions:
whenyoupowerofforresetthevirtualmachine.
SeeInformationCapturedbySnapshotsonpage 205.
7
OntheSpecifyDiskCapacitypage,setthecapacityforthenewvirtualdisk.
Youcansetasizebetween0.1GBand950GBforavirtualdisk.SeeDiskSizeand
Filesonpage 236.
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OntheSpecifyDiskFilepage,acceptthedefaultfilenameandlocationorbrowse
toandselectadifferentlocationandclickFinish.
Thewizardcreatesthenewvirtualdisk.Itappearstoyourguestoperatingsystem
asanew,blankharddisk.
Inthevirtualmachinesettingseditor,clickOK.
10 Usetheguestoperatingsystemtoolstopartitionandformatthenewdriveforuse.
Add an Existing Virtual Disk to a Virtual Machine

Youcanreconnectanexistingvirtualdiskthatwasremovedfromavirtualmachine.
Workstation7.0virtualmachinescanuseupto4IDEdevicesandupto60SCSIdevices.
AnyofthesedevicescanbeavirtualorphysicalharddiskorDVDorCDROMdrive.
TomapanexistingvirtualdiskdrivetoaWindowshostmachine,ratherthanadding
ittoavirtualmachine,seeUsingaMappedDriveonpage 198.
To add an existing virtual disk to a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheSelectaDiskpage,selectUseanexistingvirtualdiskandclickNext.
OntheSelectanExistingDiskpage,specifythepathnameandfilenameforthe
existingdiskfileandclickFinish.
Remove a Virtual Disk from a Virtual Machine

Removingavirtualdiskdisconnectsitfromavirtualmachine.Removingthevirtual
diskdoesnotdeletefilesfromthehostfilesystem.
Afteryouremovethediskfromthevirtualmachine,youcanmapormountittoahost
andcopydatafromtheguesttothehostwithoutpoweringonthevirtualmachineor
startingWorkstation.
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To remove a virtual disk from a virtual machine

1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectavirtualdiskandclickRemove.
Afteryouremovethediskfromthevirtualmachine,youcandoeitherofthefollowing:
Mapthedisktothehost.SeeUsingaMappedDriveonpage 198.
Addthedisktoanothervirtualmachine.SeeAddanExistingVirtualDisktoa
Using Physical Disks in a Virtual Machine

Youcaninstallaguestoperatingsystemdirectlyonanunusedphysicaldiskorunused
partition.However,anoperatingsysteminstalledinthissettingprobablycannotboot
outsideofthevirtualmachine,eventhoughthedataisavailabletothehost.
CAUTIONDonotuseaphysicaldisktosharefilesbetweenhostandguestoperating
systems.Itisnotsafetomakethesamepartitionvisibletobothhostandguest.Youcan
causedatacorruptionifyoudothis.Tosharefilesbetweenhostandguestoperating
systems,usesharedfolders.SeeUsingSharedFoldersonpage 190.
Forinformationaboutusinganoperatingsystemthatcanalsobootoutsideofthe
virtualmachine,seetheVMwareDualBootComputersandVirtualMachinestechnical
noteontheVMwareWebsite.
Physicaldisksareanadvancedfeature.Donotconfigurethemunlessyouareanexpert
user.Touseaphysicaldiskinavirtualmachine,youcanaddthephysicaldisktoan
existingvirtualmachine,orcreateavirtualmachineandspecifywhichphysicaldisk
thevirtualmachineuses.
NOTEUsingaphysicaldiskratherthanavirtualdiskisnotanappropriateoptionfor
avirtualmachineyouintendtodistributeasanACEinstance.
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Prerequisites for Using a Physical Disk

BeforeyouruntheNewVirtualMachinewizardorusethevirtualmachinesettings
editortoaddaphysical(raw)disk,performthefollowingtasks:
Becausethevirtualmachineandguestoperatingsystemaccessaphysicaldisk
partitionwhilethehostcontinuestorunitsoperatingsystem,verifythatthe
partitionisnotmountedbythehostorinusebyanothervirtualmachine.
Corruptionispossibleifyouallowthevirtualmachinetomodifyapartitionthat
issimultaneouslymountedonthehostoperatingsystem.
Checktheguestoperatingsystemdocumentationregardingthetypeofpartition
onwhichtheoperatingsystemcanbeinstalled.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,youcannotusethesystempartition
orthephysicaldiskthatcontainsitinavirtualmachine.
DOS,Windows95,andWindows98operatingsystemsmustbeinstalledon
thefirstprimarypartition.
Otheroperatingsystems,suchasLinux,canbeinstalledonaprimaryoran
extendedpartitiononanypartofthedrive.
Makesurethephysicalpartitionordiskdoesnothavedatayouneedinthefuture.
Ifitdoes,backupthedata.
OnWindowshosts:
IfyouuseaWindowshostsIDEdiskinaphysicaldiskconfiguration,make
sureitisnotconfiguredastheslaveonthesecondaryIDEchannelifthe
masteronthatchannelisaCDROMdrive.
IfyourhostisrunningWindowsXPorWindowsServer2003,donotusea
dynamicdiskasaphysicaldiskinavirtualmachine.Usethedisk
managementtooltocheckthedisktypeandchangeadynamicdisktoabasic
disk,whichdestroysalldata.SeeChangeaWindowsDiskTypefrom
DynamictoBasiconpage 246.
OnLinuxhosts,setthedevicegroupmembershipordeviceownership
appropriately.SeeSetPermissionsonLinuxHostsonpage 247.
Afteryoudeterminethatthephysicaldiskmeetstheseprerequisites,useeitherofthe
followingstrategiestousethephysicaldiskinavirtualmachine:
CreateaVirtualMachineThatUsesaPhysicalDiskonpage 247
AddaPhysicalDisktoanExistingVirtualMachineonpage 249
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Change a Windows Disk Type from Dynamic to Basic

TouseaharddiskinavirtualmachinewhosehostisrunningWindowsXPorWindows
Server2003,thevirtualmachinemustuseabasicdisk.
To change a Windows disk type from dynamic to basic
1
Onthehost,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>
ComputerManagement>DiskManagement.
Thediskmanagementtoolopens.
Deletealllogicalvolumesonthedisk.
Thisactiondestroysalldataonthedisk.
RightclickthediskiconandselectReverttoBasicDisk.
Partitionthedisk.
Unmap a Partition That Is Mapped to a Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP Host

Corruptioncanoccurifyouallowthevirtualmachinetomodifyaphysicaldisk
partitionthatissimultaneouslyusedasamappeddriveonthehost.
To unmap a partition that is mapped to a Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP
host
1
ChooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Computer
Management>Storage>DiskManagement.
SelectapartitionandchooseAction>AllTasks>ChangeDriveLetterandPaths.
ClickRemove.
Unmap a Partition That Is Mapped to a Windows Vista Host

To unmap a partition that is mapped to a Windows Vista host
246
SelectStart>ControlPanel(ClassicView)>AdministrativeTools>Computer
Management>Storage>DiskManagement.
RightclickapartitionandchooseChangeDriveLetterandPaths.
ClickRemoveandOK.
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Unmap a Partition That Is Mapped to a Windows 7 Host

To unmap a partition that is mapped to a Windows 7 host
1
SelectStart>ControlPanel.
Inthemenubar,clickthearrownexttoControlPanel.
Fromthedropdownmenu,selectAllControlPanelItems>Administrative
Tools>ComputerManagement>Storage>DiskManagement(Local).
RightclickapartitionandchooseChangeDriveLetterandPaths.
ClickRemoveandOK.
Set Permissions on Linux Hosts

Ifpermissionsaresetcorrectly,thephysicaldiskconfigurationfilesinWorkstation
controlaccess.Thisreliabilityprovidesbootmanagersaccesstoconfigurationfilesand
otherfilestheymightneedtobootoperatingsystems.Forexample,LILOneedstoread
/bootonaLinuxpartitiontobootanonLinuxoperatingsystemthatmightbeon
anotherdrive.
To set permissions on Linux hosts
1
Makesurethemasterphysicaldiskdeviceordevicesarereadableandwritableby
theuserwhorunsWorkstation.
Physicaldevices,suchas/dev/hda(IDEphysicaldisk)and/dev/sdb(SCSI
physicaldisk),belongtogroupiddiskonmostdistributions.Ifthisisthe
case,youcanaddVMwareWorkstationuserstothediskgroup.
Anotheroptionistochangetheownerofthedevice.Considerallthesecurity
issuesinvolvedinthisoption.
GrantVMwareWorkstationusersaccesstoall/dev/hd[abcd]physicaldevices
thatcontainoperatingsystemsorbootmanagers.
Create a Virtual Machine That Uses a Physical Disk

UsetheNewVirtualMachinewizardtocreateanewvirtualmachinethatusesa
physicaldiskratherthanaddingaphysicaldisktoanexistingvirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,completethetasksdescribedinPrerequisitesforUsingaPhysical
Diskonpage 245.
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To create a virtual machine that uses a physical disk

1
UsetheCustomsetupintheNewVirtualMachinewizardtocreateavirtual
machinethatusesaphysicaldisk.
OntheSelectaDiskpageofthewizard,selectUseaphysicaldisk,andchooseto
useindividualpartitionsortheentiredisk.
Ifyouuseindividualpartitions,onlythepartitionsyouselectareaccessibletothe
virtualmachine.Theotherpartitionsmightbevisibletotheguestoperating
system,butyoucannotmount,access,orformatthem.
(Optional)Tospecifyadevicenodeforthevirtualdiskorexcludedisksfrom
snapshots,dothefollowing:
a
OntheHardwaretab,selectthephysicaldiskandclickAdvanced.
Tochangethedevicenode,selectfromtheVirtualdevicenodelist.
Toexcludedisksfromsnapshots,selectIndependentforthemodeandchoose
oneofthefollowingoptions:
Installtheguestoperatingsystemonthephysicaldisk.
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Add a Physical Disk to an Existing Virtual Machine

Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditor,ratherthantheNewVirtualMachinewizard,
toaddaphysicaldisktoanexistingvirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,completethetasksdescribedinPrerequisitesforUsingaPhysical
Diskonpage 245.
CAUTIONAfteryouaddavirtualmachinediskbyusingoneormorepartitionsona
physicaldisk,nevermodifythepartitiontablesbyrunningfdiskorasimilarutilityin
theguestoperatingsystem.Ifyoudoso,youmustrecreatethevirtualmachines
physicaldisk.
To add a physical disk to an existing virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,clickAdd.
OntheSelectaDiskpage,selectUseaphysicaldiskandclickNext.
Ifawarningappears,clickOK.
OntheSelectaPhysicalDiskpage,dothefollowing:
a
Choosethephysicalharddisktousefromthedropdownlist.
Workstationsupportsphysicaldisksupto2TB.
b
9
Selectwhetheryouwanttousetheentirediskoronlyindividualpartitionson
thediskandclickNext.
IfyouselectedUseindividualpartitions,selectthepartitionsyouwanttousein
thevirtualmachineandclickNext.
Thevirtualmachinecanaccessonlythepartitionsyouselect.Theguestoperating
systemmightbeabletodetectotherpartitions,butyoucannotmount,access,or
formatthem.
10
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OntheSpecifyDiskFilepage,acceptthedefaultfilenameandlocationorbrowse
toadifferentlocation.
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11
(Optional)Tospecifyadevicenodeforthevirtualdiskorexcludedisksfrom
snapshots,dothefollowing:
a
OntheSpecifyDiskFilepage,clickAdvanced.
Tochangethedevicenode,selectfromtheVirtualdevicenodelist.
Toexcludedisksfromsnapshots,selectIndependentforthemodeandchoose
oneofthefollowingoptions:
12 ClickFinish.
13 Usetheguestoperatingsystemstoolstoformatanypartitionsonthephysicaldisk
thatarenotformattedforyourguestoperatingsystem.
Adding DVD/CD-ROM and Floppy Drives to a Virtual

Machine
Workstation7.0virtualmachinescanuseupto4IDEdevicesandupto60SCSIdevices.
AnyofthesedevicescanbeavirtualorphysicalharddiskorDVDorCDROMdrive.
Bydefault,floppydriveisnotconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
AvirtualmachinecanreaddatafromaDVDdisc.Workstationdoesnotsupport
playingDVDmoviesinavirtualmachine.Youmightbeabletoplayamovieifyouuse
aDVDplayerapplicationthatdoesnotrequirevideooverlaysupportinthevideocard.
Add DVD or CD Drives to a Virtual Machine

YoucanaddoneormoreDVDorCDdrivestoyourvirtualmachine.Youcanconnect
thevirtualDVDorCDdrivetoaphysicaldriveonthehostmachineortoanISOimage
file.
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YoucanconfigurethevirtualDVDorCDdriveaseitherIDEorSCSIregardlessofthe
typeofphysicaldriveyouconnectitto.Forexample,ifyourhostcomputerhasanIDE
CDdrive,youcansetupthevirtualmachinedriveaseitherSCSIorIDEandconnectit
tothehostdrive.ThesameistrueifthephysicaldriveonthehostisaSCSIdrive.
To add a DVD or CD drive to a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwareTypepage,selectDVD/CDROMDriveandclickNext.
MakeaselectionontheSelectaDriveConnectionpageandclickNext.
(Optional)IfyouselectUsephysicaldrive:
a
ChooseadrivefromthedropdownlistorchooseAutodetect.
ToavoidconnectingtheCDdrivewhenthevirtualmachinestarts,deselect
Connectatpoweron.
Tospecifywhichdevicenodethedriveusesinthevirtualmachine,click
Advanced.
SelectLegacyemulationonlyifyouexperiencedproblemsusingnormal
mode.SeeLegacyEmulationforDVDandCDDrivesonpage 252.
d
7
ClickFinish.
(Optional)IfyouselectUseISOimage:
a
Enterthepathandfilenamefortheimagefileorbrowsetothefile.
ToavoidconnectingtheCDdrivewhenthevirtualmachinestarts,deselect
Connectatpoweron.
Tospecifywhichdevicenodethedriveusesinthevirtualmachine,click
Advanced.
ClickFinish.
ThedriveissetupinitiallysothatitappearsasanIDEdrivetotheguestoperating
system.
8
(Optional)TomakethedriveappeartotheguestoperatingsystemasaSCSIdrive,
clicktheentryforthatdriveinthevirtualmachinesettingseditorandeditthe
settingsinthepanelontheright.
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Legacy Emulation for DVD and CD Drives

Innormalmode(thatis,notlegacyemulationmode),theguestoperatingsystem
communicatesdirectlywiththeCDorDVDdrive.Thisdirectcommunicationenables
youtoreadmultisessionCDs,performdigitalaudioextraction,viewvideos,anduse
CDandDVDwriterstoburndiscs.
LegacyemulationmodeenablesyoutoreadonlyfromdatadiscsintheDVDorCD
drive.Itdoesnotprovidetheothercapabilitiesofnormalmode.Uselegacyemulation
modetoworkarounddirectcommunicationproblemsbetweenaguestoperating
systemandaDVDorCDdrive.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditor(VM>Settings>Advanced)tosettheLegacy
emulationoptionforDVDandCDdrivesattachedtothevirtualmachine:
OnWindowshosts,thisoptionisdeselectedbydefault.
OnLinuxhostswithIDEdrives,thedefaultsettingdependsonwhetherthe
ide-scsimoduleisloadedinyourkernel.Theide-scsimodulemustbeloaded,
oryoumustbeusingaphysicalSCSIdrivetoconnectdirectlytotheDVDorCD
drive.
Ifyourunmorethanonevirtualmachineatatime,andiftheirCDdrivesareinlegacy
emulationmode,startthevirtualmachineswiththeirCDdrivesdisconnected.This
ensuresthatmultiplevirtualmachinesarenotconnectedtotheCDdriveatthesame
time.
Add a Floppy Drive to a Virtual Machine

Youcanadduptotwofloppydrivestoavirtualmachine.Avirtualfloppydrivecan
connecttoaphysicalfloppydriveonthehostcomputer,toanexistingfloppyimage
file,ortoablankfloppyimagefile.Bydefault,floppydriveisnotconnectedwhenthe
virtualmachinepowerson.
To add a floppy drive to a virtual machine
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ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwareTypepage,selectFloppyDriveandclickNext.
Followtheinstructionstocompletethewizard.
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IntheDeviceStatussection,selecttheConnectatpoweronoptiontoconnectthe
floppydrivewhenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
(Optional)Ifyouareaddingasecondfloppydrivetothevirtualmachine,enable
thissecondfloppydriveinthevirtualmachineBIOS,asfollows:
a
SelectthevirtualmachineandchooseVM>Power>PowerOntoBIOS.
Onthemainscreen,chooseLegacyDisketteB:andusetheplus(+)andminus
()keysonthenumericalkeypadtoselectthetypeoffloppydrivetouse.
PressF10tosavethesettings.
Connect a CD-ROM, DVD, or Floppy Drive to an Image File

YoucanconnectanexistingvirtualCDROM,DVDtoanISOimagefileorfloppydrive
toafloppyimage(.flpor.img)fileratherthanthephysicaldriveonthehost.For
example,anISOimagefileresemblesaCDROMtoyourguestoperatingsystemand
appearsasaCDROMinWindowsExplorer.
Insomehostconfigurations,thevirtualmachinecannotbootfromtheinstallation
CDROM.Toavoidthatproblem,createanISOimagefilefromtheinstallation
CDROM.
To connect a CD-ROM, DVD, or floppy drive to an image file
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectaDVD,CDROM,orfloppydrive.
ForaDVDorCDROMdrive,selectUseISOImageandspecifythepath
nameandfilename.
Forafloppydrive:
Ifthefilealreadyexists,selectUsefloppyImageandspecifythepath
nameandfilename.
Tocreateanimagefile,clickCreate,browsetothedirectorywhereyou
plantostorethefloppyimagefile,supplyafilename,andclickSave(on
Windowshosts)orOpen(onLinuxhosts).
(Optional)Tomakethefilereadonly,selecttheReadOnlycheckbox.
ClickOK.
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Using VMware Virtual Disk Manager

VMwareVirtualDiskManagerisaWorkstationutilitythatallowsyoutocreate,
manage,andmodifyvirtualdiskfilesfromthecommandlineorinscripts.
Youcanenlargeavirtualdisksothatitsmaximumcapacityislargerthanitwaswhen
youcreatedit.Thisisusefulifyouneedmorediskspaceinagivenvirtualmachine,but
donotwanttoaddanothervirtualdiskoruseghostingsoftwaretotransferthedataon
avirtualdisktoalargervirtualdisk.Youcannotdothiswithphysicalharddrives.
Youcanalsochangedisktypes.Whenyoucreateavirtualmachine,youspecifyhow
diskspaceisallocated,asfollows:
Allspaceforthevirtualdiskisallocatedinadvance.Thiscorrespondstothe
preallocateddisktypeforVirtualDiskManager.
Spaceallocatedforthevirtualdiskbeginssmallandgrowsasneeded.This
correspondstothegrowabledisktypeforVirtualDiskManager.
Ifyouallocateallthediskspaceforavirtualdiskbutlaterneedtoreclaimsomehard
diskspaceonthehost,youcanconvertthepreallocatedvirtualdiskintoagrowable
disk.Thenewvirtualdiskisstilllargeenoughtocontainallthedataintheoriginal
virtualdisk.
Youcanalsochangewhetherthevirtualdiskisstoredinasinglefileorsplitinto2GB
files.
Thesefeaturesandtheabilitytousescriptingtoautomatemanagementofvirtualdisks
wereaddedtoWorkstationinversion5.0.SeetheVMwaretechnicalnoteaboutusing
VirtualDiskManager.
Using Dual-Boot Computers with Virtual Machines

SomeusersinstallWorkstationonadualbootormultiplebootcomputersothatthey
canrunoneormoreoftheexistingoperatingsystemsinavirtualmachine.Formore
informationaboutusingdualbootcomputerswithWorkstation,seetheVMware
DualBootComputersandVirtualMachinestechnicalnoteontheVMwareWebsite.
Legacy Virtual Disks

YouhaveseveraloptionsforusingWorkstation7.0inamixedenvironmentwithvirtual
machinesthatwerecreatedwithearlierversionsofWorkstationorcreatedwithother
VMwareproducts.
Forcompatibilityinformation,seetheVMwareVirtualMachineMobilityPlanningGuide.
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YoucanuseWorkstation7.0topoweronvirtualmachinescreatedwitholderversions
ofWorkstationorotherVMwareproducts.However,manynewfeaturesof
Workstationarenotavailableinoldervirtualmachines.Toupgradeyourvirtual
machinestoWorkstation7.0,seeChangetheVersionofaVirtualMachineonpage 94.
Ifyoudecidenottoupgradeavirtualmachine,VMwarerecommendsthatyouupgrade
VMwareToolstothelatestversion.SeeVMwareToolsUpdateProcessonpage 115.
DonotremovetheolderversionofVMwareToolsbeforeinstallingthenewversion.
YoucanalsouseWorkstationtocreateaversion4,5.x,or6.xvirtualmachine.SeeUse
theNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 89.UsetheCustomsetupinthewizard.
NOTEIfyouhaveWorkstation 2or3virtualmachinesthatyouwanttousewith
Workstation 7.0,upgradethevirtualmachinestoatleastWorkstationversion 4before
youattempttopowerthemonwithWorkstation 7.0.
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12
Recording and Replaying

Virtual Machine Activity
12
Therecord/replayfeatureallowsyoutorecordallofaWorkstation5.x,6.x,or7.0virtual
machinesactivityoveraperiodoftime.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
UsesoftheRecord/ReplayFeatureonpage 257
PhysicalandVirtualHardwareRequirementsonpage 258
ConfigureRecord/ReplayforaVirtualMachineonpage 259
CreateaRecordingonpage 264
ReplayaRecordingonpage 265
UsinganExecutionTraceFileofaRecordingonpage 266
MaintenanceTasksforUsingRecordingsonpage 268
Uses of the Record/Replay Feature

UnlikeWorkstationsmoviecapturefeature,therecord/replayfeaturerecordsallthe
processorinstructionsofthevirtualmachinethroughoutthetimeoftherecording.This
featurehelpssoftwaredevelopersandQAengineerstorecordabugandattacha
debuggerwhilereplayingtherecording.
Afteryouenabletherecord/replayfeatureforavirtualmachine,clicktheRecord
buttoninthetoolbartostarttherecordingandclickStoptoendtherecording.Youcan
makemultiplerecordingsandusethesnapshotmanagertoname,delete,andplay
them.Whileyouaremakingarecordingyoucaninsertreplaysnapshotstoreturnto
eventsandreplaythem.Tomarkapointofinterestintherecordingyoucanadda
marker.Youcanalsomakeanexecutiontracefileofarecording,torecordeventsthat
occurduringtherecording.
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Playingarecordingissimilartogoingtoasnapshot.Whenyouplayarecording,you
discardthecurrentstateofthevirtualmachineandgototherecording.Atanytime
whentherecordingisplaying,youcanclicktheGoLivebuttonandresumeinteracting
withtheguestoperatingsystematthestatethevirtualmachineisinwhenyouclickGo
Live.
NOTEVirtualmachinerecordingsarenotinterchangeablebetweendifferentversions
ofWorkstation.RecordingscreatedusingearlierWorkstationorbetareleasescannotbe
replayedusingthecurrentversionofWorkstation.
Physical and Virtual Hardware Requirements

Followingisalistofrequirementsforandlimitationsofthisfeature:
HostCPUsRecord/replaysupportislimitedtocertainprocessorsonthehost.
If youusetherecord/replayfeatureonahostcomputerthatdoesnothavethe
supportedprocessor,whenyouenabletherecord/replayfeatureandtrytocreate
arecording,amessageappears,informingyouthatrecordingisnotsupportedon
yourprocessor.
SupportedprocessorsincludeIntelPentium4,IntelCore2andlaterversions,
NextGenerationIntelMicroarchitectureNehalem,andPenryn/Harpertown,and
AMDBarcelonaandlaterversions.Otherprocessorsmightoperatemoreslowly
duringrecordingandreplaying.
NOTEIftherecord/replayfeatureisunstableonyourP4system,disable
hyperthreadingandlogicalprocessorsintheBIOS.
WhenthesefeaturesareenabledinBIOS,otherapplicationsusingperformance
countersmayinterferewiththevirtualmachinerunningintherecord/replay
mode.Anexampleofanapplicationusingperformancecountersisthe
performanceprofilingtool.
Toensurethattheprocessorconfigurationiscompatiblewithrecord/replay,you
mustconfigureyourvirtualmachine.SeeConfigureRecord/ReplayforaVirtual
Machineonpage 259.
258
VirtualmachineversionOnlyWorkstation5.x,6.x,and7.0virtualmachinescan
berecorded.
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Chapter 12 Recording and Replaying Virtual Machine Activity
SupportedoperatingsystemsYoucanusetherecord/replayfeatureforthe
followingguestoperatingsystems:
Windows2000,XP,2003,Vista,7
RedHatEnterpriseLinux3and4
SUSELinux9.3and10.x
64bitversionsofthetheseguestoperatingsystemsmightnotworkwithsome
oldhostCPUs.
UnsupportedvirtualhardwareSMPandparavirtualizationonVMIarenot
supportedwithrecord/replay.
DiskspaceHowmuchdiskspacearecordingusesdependsonthetypeof
activitythatoccursonthevirtualmachineandthedurationoftherecording
session.Bydefault,ascreenshotiscreatedevery15seconds.Therefore,assume
thatyouwillneedseveralmegabytesofdiskspaceforoneminuteofrecording.
NOTEHavinganumberofvirtualmachineswithhighresolutiondisplaysettings
openonthescreenconsumesmorediskspace.
DiskmodeYoucannotusetherecord/replayfeatureifthevirtualmachines
virtualharddiskissettoindependentmode.Recordingvirtualmachineactivity
requireswritingdataaboutthedisktoacontinualsnapshot.Usethevirtual
machinesettingseditortochangethediskmode(selectVM>Settings>Hardware
>HardDisk>Advanced).
Configure Record/Replay for a Virtual Machine

MakesurethatthevirtualmachinemeetstherequirementslistedinPhysicaland
VirtualHardwareRequirementsonpage 258.
To configure record/replay for a virtual machine
1
SelectthevirtualmachineandselectVM>Settings.
Tosetprocessorconfigurationforrecord/replay,selectVM>Settings>Hardware
>Processorsandselect1processorwith1coreperprocessor.
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InthePreferredmodedropdownmenu,selectAutomaticorAutomaticwith
ReplaytoletWorkstationselecttheexecutionmodebasedontheguestoperating
systemandthehostCPU.
AutomaticwithReplayreferstotheexecutionrecord/replayfeature.Formany
combinationsofCPUandguestoperatingsystem,youcanselectAutomaticand
stillusetherecord/replayfeature.Ifnot,anerrormessagedirectsyoutoselect
AutomaticwithReplay.
SelectingAutomaticorAutomaticwithReplaymeansthatWorkstationselects
oneofthefollowing:
BinarytranslationUsesamixofdirectlyexecutingguestcodeandbinary
translationtoruntheguest.Thisoptionusesshadowpagetablestomapguest
memory.
IntelVTxorAMDVUseshardwareextensionstorunandisolateguest
code.Thisoptionalsousesshadowpagetablestomapguestmemory.
IntelVTx/EPTorAMDV/RVIUseshardwareextensionstorunandisolate
guestcode.Thisoptionuseshardwarepagingsupporttomapguestmemory.
Thechoicedependsonwhichmodeprovidesthebestperformancefortheselected
guestoperatingsystemonthehostsCPU.
5
ClicktheOptionstabandselectReplay.
(Optional)OntheReplaysettingspanelasasafetyprecaution,usetheWhen
Recordingcontrolstolimithowmuchdiskspacetherecordingcanuse.
SettingtheMaximumdiskspacetoUnlimitedusesmuchmorediskspace
thansettingitto2GB.
SelectingSavethelastsetsthedurationofthetimetosavetherecording.
SettingSnapshotfrequencyto5minusesmuchmorediskspacethansetting
ittoNever.
(Optional)SelecttheEnableVAssert(experimental)checkboxtouseVMware
VAsserttodebugapplications.
VAssertenablesdevelopersandsupportengineerstotakeadvantageoftraditional
assertandloggingcapabilitiestodebugerrorsinreplaylogs.Theassertsappear
onlyduringreplayofarecording.
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(Optional)SelecttheEnableVisualStudiodebugger(experimental)checkboxto
usetheIntegratedVirtualDebuggerforVisualStudioonWindowsonly.
Developerscanuserecord/replaytorecordanexecutionofanapplicationand
debugtherecordedformoftheapplication.Recordedbugscanbereplayed
repeatedlyandexhibitthesamebehavior.
ClickOK.
Record Control Dialog Box Features

OnWindows,arecordcontroldialogboxappearswhenyouclicktheRecordbuttonin
thetoolbar.OnLinux,therecordoptionsarelocatedinthetoolbar.
NOTEOnLinux,youcannotaddmarkerstoarecording.
StopStopstherecordingthatisinprogress.
AddSnapshotTakesareplaysnapshotatthecurrentlocationwithinthe
recording.Youcanusethissnapshotduringreplaytoskipaheadinarecording.
AddMarkerAddsamarkerintherecordingwithouttakingareplaysnapshot.
Youcanaddandlabelamarkerasareminderofapointofinterestintherecording.
MinimizeOnWindowsandLinuxhosts,the()buttonminimizestherecord
controldialogboxtothelowerleftsideofthestatusbar.Theminimizedmode
allowsyoutoworkonthevirtualmachineandusethecontrolsinthestatusbarto
eitherstoparecordingoraddamarker.
NOTEYoucannotclosetherecordcontroldialogbox.
MaximumdiskspaceShowsthemaximumdiskspacequotaallocatedforthe
recording.
SavingthelastDisplaystheapproximatedurationoftimewheretheendofa
recordingissaved.Forexample,ifyouaresavingthelast30minutesofthe
recording,astherecordingcontinues,onlythelast30minutesofthevirtual
machineactivityissavedatanygiventime.
SnapshotFrequencyShowsthefrequencywhenanautomaticreplaysnapshot
isaddedtotherecording.
NextautosnapshotDisplayswhenthenextautomaticreplaysnapshotisgoing
tobeaddedtotherecording.
LastsnapshotIndicateswhenthelastreplaysnapshotwasaddedtothe
recording.
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Replay Control Dialog Box Features

Thereplaycontroldialogboxappearswhenyoureplayarecording.
NOTEOnLinux,youcannotaddmarkerstoarecording.
Figure 12-1. Windows Replay Control Dialog Box
current replay position slider
replay snapshot
marker
zoom
controls
Go to Beginning
Go to Previous Snapshot
Go to Next Snapshot
replay
speed
control
Figure 12-2. Linux Replay Control Dialog Box

current replay position slider
pause
replay snapshots
replay speed control
Thereplaycontroldialogboxcontainsthefollowingbuttons:
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Play/PausePlaysthelastrecordingyoumadefortheselectedvirtualmachine.If
thevirtualmachineispoweredoff,therecordingisresumedasifithadbeen
suspended.Ifyouclickthesamebuttononce,thereplayispaused.Toresume
replay,clickthebuttonagain.
GoLiveStopsthereplaythatisinprogressandrevertstothecurrentstateofthe
virtualmachine.
AddSnapshotTakesareplaysnapshotatthecurrentlocationwithinthe
recording.Youcanusethissnapshotduringreplaytoskipaheadinarecording.
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AddMarkerAddsamarkerintherecordingwithouttakingareplaysnapshot.
Youcanaddandlabelamarkerasareminderofapointofinterestintherecording.
GotoBeginningReturnstothebeginningoftherecording.
GotoPreviousSnapshotReplaystherecordingtothepointwheretheprevious
replaysnapshotislocatedandpausestheplayback.
GotoNextSnapshotReplaystherecordingtothepointwherethenextreplay
snapshotislocatedandpausestheplayback.
GotoThisSnapshotReplaystherecordingfromtheselectedreplaysnapshot.
Rightclickthereplaysnapshoticontousethisoption.
RenameThisSnapshotRenamestheselectedreplaysnapshot.Rightclickthe
replaysnapshoticontousethisoption.
DeleteUptoThisSnapshotDeletestheportionoftherecordinguptothe
selectedreplaysnapshot.Allthemarkersandreplaysnapshotsuptotheselected
replaysnapshotaredeletedandcannotberecovered.Rightclickthereplay
snapshoticontousethisoption.
DeleteAfterThisSnapshotDeletestheremainingportionoftherecordingafter
theselectedreplaysnapshot.Allthemarkersandreplaysnapshotsafterthe
selectedreplaysnapshotaredeletedandcannotberecovered.Rightclickthe
replaysnapshoticontousethisoption.
RenameThisMarkerRenamestheselectedmarker.Rightclickthemarkericon
tousethisoption.
DeleteThisMarkerDeletestheselectedmarker.Rightclickthemarkericonto
usethisoption.
CurrentReplayPositionSliderAllowsyoutopreviewareplay.Youcandragthe
slidertothenearestpreviousmarkerorreplaysnapshotandstartreplaying.On
Linux,theautoscrollfunctionofthezoomedinportionisenabled.TheCurrent
ReplayPositionSliderisaredarrowlocatedintheprogresstimeline.
ZoomcontrolControlsthezoominandoutfunctionduringreplay.
MinimizeThe()buttonminimizesthedialogboxtothebottomlefthandside
ofthestatusbar.Theminimizedmodeallowsyoutoviewtherecordinginthe
virtualmachineandusethecontrolsinthestatusbar.Theprogressindicatorinthe
statusbarshowsthetimelineoftherecording.
NOTEYoucannotclosethereplaycontroldialogbox.
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ReplayspeedcontrolControlsthereplayspeedofarecording.OnWindows,
clicktherightbuttontoincreasethereplayspeedtothemaximum.Clicktheleft
buttontodecreasethereplayspeedtonormal.OnLinux,clickbuttontotoggle
betweenspeeds.
NOTEThespeedofaplaybackdependsonthehostactivityandworkloadofthe
guest.
Create a Recording
Whilecreatingarecordingyoucannotpauseorreverseit.Formoreinformationabout
enablingrecord/replayseeConfigureRecord/ReplayforaVirtualMachineon
page 259.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythescreenresolutionsettings.Theexistingscreenresolutionis
usedinthevirtualmachinewhilereplayingarecording.Theresolutioncannotbe
changedduringreplay.
NOTEIfyouhotremoveavirtualdevicefromtheguestbyusingtheWindowsSafely
RemoveHardwareoptionwhilecreatingarecording,therecordingterminates
unexpectedly.
To create a recording
1
TobeginrecordingselectVM>Replay>Record.
Arecordingspecificsnapshotistaken,andtherecordingdialogboxindicatesthat
recordingisinprogress.
IftheRecordcommandisunavailable,thefeaturemightnotbeenabledorthehard
diskmightbesettoindependentmode.
(Optional)Toaddareplaysnapshotduringrecording,clickAddSnapshotand
labelthereplaysnapshotintheAddReplaySnapshotdialogbox.
Takingasnapshotpausestheexecutionofthevirtualmachineforafewseconds.
Asidefromthereplaysnapshotsyouadd,replaysnapshotsareautomatically
addedaccordingtothefrequencyyousetbyusingthevirtualmachinesettings
editor.
(Optional)Toaddamarkerduringrecording,clickAddMarkerandlabelthe
markerintheAddMarkerdialogbox.
Addingmarkersdoesnotpausetheexecutionofthevirtualmachine.
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Tostoprecording,clicktheStopbuttonintherecordingdialogboxorinthe
toolbar.
(Optional)OnWindows,whilemakingarecording,youcanusetheminimized
recordcontroltostoparecording,addareplaysnapshot,oraddamarker.
CompletethedialogboxthatappearsandclickSave.
Tochangethenameoftherecording,addorchangethedescription,ordeletethe
recording,selectVM>Snapshot>SnapshotManager.
Replay a Recording
Ifyouchangefromwindowedmodetofullscreenmodeduringreplay,theautofit
featuredoesnotwork.
To replay a recording
1
Ifitispoweredonandyoudonotwanttolosethecurrentstateofthevirtual
machine,takeasnapshotofit.
Forinstructions,seeTakeaSnapshotonpage 209.
ToplaythelatestrecordingofthevirtualmachineselectVM>Replay>Replay
<name_of_recording>.
OnWindows,whilereplayingarecordingyoucanusethecontrolsinthe
minimizedreplaycontrol.
Toplayanearlierrecording,usethesnapshotmanager,asfollows:
a
SelecttherecordingsnapshottoplayandclickReplay.
IfyoustoptherecordingbeforeitisfinishedreplayingbyclickingtheGoLive
buttonandreplaytherecordingagain,therecordingstartsfromthe
beginning,notfromthepointwhereyouclickedGoLive.
AsnapshotofarecordingisshowninTable 91,SnapshotManagerIcons,
onpage 208.
Inthedialogboxthatappears,confirmthatyouwanttostartreplayingthe
recording.
Tosuspendthereplay,clickthePausebuttoninthereplaycontroldialogbox.The
buttontogglestoaPlaybuttonsothatyoucanclickitagaintoresumeplayingthe
recording.
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(Optional)Tomakeatracefileofeventsthatoccurredduringrecording,seeUsing
anExecutionTraceFileofaRecordingonpage 266.
(Optional)Tostopreplayingtherecordingbeforeitfinishesplaying,clicktheGo
Livebuttontostopthereplayandresumeinteractingwiththevirtualmachine.
Browse a Recording
Thelengthofarecordingcanvaryfromafewminutestoseveralhours.Whenthe
recordingisseveralhourslong,usethepositionslidertoaccesstherecordingat
randomintervals.OnWindowsandLinuxhosts,zoominandoutoftherecordingby
usingthezoomcontrols.Usethezoomedinautoscrollfunctiontobrowsethe
recording.
To browse a recording
1
Openarecording.
Dragthesliderfromthecurrentpositionintherecordingtoanotherspecific
position.
Thenewsliderpositionmusthavea16secondintervalfromthepreviousposition.
(Optional)Intheconfirmationdialogbox,selectthecheckboxNevershowthis
again.
Thedialogboxstopsreappearingeverytimeyoubrowsearecording.
ClickOK.
Thevirtualmachinerevertstothenearestpreviousreplaysnapshotandstarts
replayinguntilitreachesthetargetlocation.Duringthereplay,thesliderremains
atthesamepoint,andtheremainingplaybacktimeappearsinredabovetheslider.
Formoreinformation,seeFigure 121.Whentherecordingreachesthesliders
position,therecordingispaused.
Using an Execution Trace File of a Recording

Tracefilesaredetailedlogsthatarehelpfulfordebugging.Whenyoumakean
executiontracefileofarecording,youcanviewalltheeventsthatoccurredduringthe
recording.
Whenarecordingisreplayed,instructiontracingcanbeturnedonandoffbypressing
thetkeywiththemousegrabbedbytheguestoperatingsystemwindows.
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Enable Execution Tracing for a Recording

Executiontracingisdisabledbydefault.Tocreateexecutiontracefilesforarecording,
youmustenableit.
Beforeyoubegin,poweroffthevirtualmachine.
To enable execution tracing
1
Openthepreferencesfilewithatexteditor.
Thisfileislocatedin:
OnWindowsServer2003andWindowsXPhosts,C:\Documents and
Settings\<username>\Application Data\VMware
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\VMware\
OnLinuxhosts,<homedir>/<username>/.vmware/
Here<homedir>isthehomedirectoryoftheuserwhoisloggedinatthetime
thevirtualmachineiscreated.
Towritetracefilestothevmware.log,addthefollowinglinetothepreferences
file.
pref.replay.enableTrace = "TRUE"
SelectVM>Settings.
UndertheOptionstab,selectAdvanced.
UndertheSettingsoption,setGatherdebugginginformationtoFullfromthe
dropdownmenu.
ClickOK.
(Optional)Towritetracefilestoaseparate.gzfile,addthefollowinglinetothe
vmx file.
replay.nogzTrace = false
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Create an Execution Trace File of a Recording

Afterenablingexecutiontracing,whenyoucreateanexecutionfileofarecording,the
Tracebuttonappearsinthereplaydialogbox.
To create an execution trace file of a recording
1
Replayarecording.
Inthereplaydialogbox,clickTracetostartthetracefile.
Theplaybackspeedoftherecordingslowsconsiderablywhilethetracefileis
created.
Toendthetracefile,clickTraceagain.
Otherwise,thetracefileendswhentherecordingfinishesreplaying.
Maintenance Tasks for Using Recordings

Dependingonthelengthofarecording,thenumberofitsperiodicscreenshots,andthe
numberofrecordings,thediskspaceusedfortherecord/replayfeaturecanbelarge.
Whenyoucreaterecordings,Workstationgoesintofulldebuggingmode.
Delete a Recording
Tofreediskspace,deleterecordingsthatyoudonotneed.
To delete a recording
1
IntheSnapshotManagerwindow,selecttherecordingtodelete.
RightclickandselectDeleteRecordingandChildren.
IfyouselectarecordingandclicktheDeletebutton,theselectedrecordingis
removedandthecorrespondingsnapshotsintherecordingremainintact.
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Disable Periodic Screenshots

Iftherecordingsessionlastsforalongtime,asignificantnumberofscreenshotsare
automaticallycreatedinthevirtualmachinedirectory.Evenwhenperiodicscreenshots
aredisabled,onescreenshotistakenattheendofeveryrecording.
To disable periodic screenshots
1
Addthefollowinglinetotheconfiguration(.vmx)fileforthevirtualmachine
whereXdenotestheintervalofscreenshotstakeninseconds.Thedefaultvaluefor
Xis15seconds.
snapshot.periodicScreenshots = "X"
Todisableperiodicscreenshots,changethevalueofXto0.
Saveandclosetheconfigurationfile.
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13
Configuring Teams
13
Thischapterdescribeswhatvirtualmachineteamsareusedfor,howtocreatethem,
andhowtoconfigurethem.Thischapterincludesthefollowingtopics:
BenefitsofUsingTeamsonpage 271
ManagingTeamsonpage 272
SummaryandConsoleViewsforTeamsandTheirVirtualMachinesonpage 276
ManagingtheMembersofaTeamonpage 276
PowerOperationsforTeamsandTheirMembersonpage 279
WorkingwithTeamNetworksonpage 280
CloningandTakingSnapshotsofTeamVirtualMachinesonpage 283
Benefits of Using Teams

Workstationteamsallowyoutosetupavirtualcomputerlabononehostcomputer.
Useateamtopoweronmultipleassociatedvirtualmachineswithasingleclick.
Youcanuseteamstodothefollowing:
VirtualizemultitierenvironmentsStartseparateclient,server,anddatabase
virtualmachineswithoneclick.Configurestartupdelaytimessoclientsdonot
submitqueriesbeforetheserverisready.
Settingastartupdelaybetweenthebootingofvirtualmachinesalsoavoids
overloadingtheCPUofthehost.
VirtualizemultiplemachinetestingenvironmentsSetupasoftwarepackage
forQAonavirtualmachineandconfigureautomationonothervirtualmachines
totestthefirst.
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VirtualizenetworkperformanceandsecurityTeamvirtualmachinescanuse
networkingjustasothervirtualmachinescan.Inaddition,teammemberscan
communicateinprivatenetworkscalledLANsegments.Teamnetworkingletsyou
todothefollowing:
Isolateateamcompletelyfromthehostnetwork.AteamLANsegmentis
undetectableandinaccessiblefromanyothernetwork.
CreateavirtualDMZorproxyservertosecurelybridgetheteammembersto
theoutsidenetwork.
Allowspecificnetworkbandwidthandpacketlosstoeachvirtualmachineon
theteam.
Connectallteammembersfullytohostresources.
Youcontrolalltrafficallowedbetweenthehostnetworkandteamvirtual
machines.
MonitormultiplevirtualmachinesUsethumbnailviewsofthevirtualmachine
displaystoreviewactivityonteamvirtualmachinessimultaneously.
Managing Teams
Managingteamsrequirescreating,deleting,opening,closing,andchangingthenames
ofteams.
Create a Team
UsetheNewTeamwizardtocreateateamandaddvirtualmachines.
Beforecreatingateam,ifyouplantoaddvirtualmachinestotheteamwhile
completingtheNewTeamwizard,taketheseactions:
Poweroffanyvirtualmachinesthatyouwanttoaddtotheteam.
Poweroffanyvirtualmachinesthatyouwanttocloneifyouintendtocreatea
cloneandaddittotheteam.
Youcaninsteadaddvirtualmachinesafteryoucreatetheteam,byusingtheTeam
menu.
NOTEWorkstation4virtualmachinescannotbeaddedtoteams.
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Chapter 13 Configuring Teams
To create a team
1
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseFile>New>Team.
IntheNewTeamwizard,supplythefollowinginformation:
a
Enteranamefortheteamandspecifythelocationofthevirtualteamfiles.
Bydefault,theteamfilesarestoredinthesamedirectoryasvirtualmachines.
SeeVirtualMachineLocationonpage 83.
Specifywhethertoaddvirtualmachinestotheteamnoworlater.
Ifyouwanttoaddvirtualmachinesnow,youhavethefollowingoptions:
NewVirtualMachineLaunchestheNewVirtualMachinewizard.See
UsetheNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 89.
ExistingVirtualMachineOpensafilebrowserfromwhichyoucan
navigatethehostfilesystemtolocateanexisting.vmxfile.
Whenyouaddavirtualmachinetoateam,itcannolongerbeaccessed
outsidetheteam.SeeAddaVirtualMachinetoaTeamonpage 276.
NewCloneofVirtualMachineOpensafilebrowserfromwhichyou
cannavigatethehostfilesystemtolocateanexisting.vmxfile.Afteryou
selectavirtualmachine,WorkstationlaunchestheCloneVirtualMachine
wizard.SeeCreatingClonesonpage 221.
SpecifywhethertoaddoneormoreLANsegments.
YoucanaddLANsegmentsafteryoucreatetheteambyusingtheTeam
menu.IfyouaddLANsegmentswhilecreatingtheteam,youcanchange
defaultnamesandbandwidthlater.SeeWorkingwithTeamNetworkson
page 280.
Aftertheteamiscreated,youcanaddittotheFavoriteslist.UsetheTeammenuto
configuretheteamfurtherortoaddandremovevirtualmachines.
Open a Team and Add It to the Favorites List

Openingateamdisplaysitssummarytabbutdoesnotpoweronthevirtualmachines
includedintheteam.
To open a team and add it to the Favorites list
1
FromtheWorkstationmenubar,chooseFile>Open.
Browsetothelocationofthe.vmtmfilefortheteamyouwant.
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SelectthefileandclickOpen.
(Optional)ToaddtheteamtotheFavoriteslist,chooseFile>AddtoFavorites.
AfterateamisaddedtotheFavoriteslist,youcanopenitbyclickingitinthe
Favoriteslistratherthanusingthemenubar.
Youcannowpowerononeormoreofthevirtualmachinesintheteam.SeePowerOn
aTeamonpage 279.
Rename a Team
Whenyoucreateateam,thenameofthedirectorywheretheteam(.vmtm)fileisstored
isbasedonthenameyouoriginallygivetheteam.Althoughyoucanchangethename
oftheteam,thenameofthisfiledoesnotchange.
To rename a team
IftheteamisintheFavoriteslist,rightclickitandchooseRename.Typethenew
nameandpressEnter.
SelecttheteamandchooseTeam>Settings>Options.Typeanewnameinthe
TeamnamefieldandclickOK.
Power Off or Close a Team

Poweringoffateammeansshuttingdownallthevirtualmachinesintheteam.
The virtualmachinesarepoweredoffinreverseorderofthatshowninthestartup
sequence.SeeSpecifytheStartupSequenceforaTeamonpage 278.
ClosingateamremovesitssummarytabfromtheWorkstationwindow.Dependingon
howyousetWorkstationpreferences,closingateammightrequirepoweringoffthe
team.
To power off or close a team
Dependingonwhichoperationyouwanttoperform,dooneofthefollowing:
Topowerofftheteam,selectitandchooseTeam>Power>PowerOff.
Dependingonhowyouconfiguredpoweroperations,theguestoperatingsystem
mightbeshutdownbeforethevirtualmachineispoweredoff.SeeConfigure
PowerOffandResetOptionsforaVirtualMachineonpage 152.
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Toclosetheteam,selectitandchooseFile>Close.
DependingonhowWorkstationpreferencesareset,ifanyoftheteamsvirtual
machinesarestillpoweredon,youmightseeaprompt.Forinformationaboutthe
optionsshownintheprompt,seeClosingVirtualMachinesandExiting
Workstationonpage 71.
Delete a Team
Beforeyoucandeleteateam,youmustpoweroffallvirtualmachinesthataremembers
oftheteam.SeePowerOfforCloseaTeamonpage 274.
Whenyoudeleteateam,youcanchoosetodelete:
Onlytheteam(retainingthevirtualmachinesintheteam)
Theteamandthevirtualmachinesintheteam
ToremoveateamfromtheWorkstationwindowratherthandeletingit,seeRemovea
VirtualMachinefromaTeamonpage 277.
CAUTIONDeletingateampermanentlyremovestheteamfilesfromthehostfilesystem
andremovesassociatedLANsegmentsfromallvirtualmachines.Deletingtheteams
virtualmachinesalongwiththeteamremovesthevirtualmachinefilespermanently.
To delete a team
1
SelecttheteamandchooseTeam>Delete from Disk.
Completethedialogboxthatappears:
Todeletetheteamwithoutdeletingthevirtualmachinesinit,chooseDelete.
Todeletetheteamandthevirtualmachinesinit,chooseDeleteTeamand
VMs.
Whenyoudeleteateam,youalsodeleteallteamLANsegments.Thevirtual
networkadaptersassociatedwithdeletedLANsegmentsbecomedisconnected.
Bridged,hostonly,NAT,andcustomconfigurationsremainunchanged.
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ClickOK.
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Summary and Console Views for Teams and Their Virtual

Machines
Workstationdisplaysteamsinasummaryvieworconsoleview:
Thesummaryviewisavailableatanytime.SeeSummaryViewonpage 56.
Theconsoleviewisavailableonlywhenateamispoweredon.Agrabbarallows
youtoresizetheareas.Thisviewdisplaysalargeconsoleviewoftheselected
virtualmachineandthumbnailconsoleviewsoftheothervirtualmachinesinthe
team.Thumbnailviewsshowtheorderofthestartupsequencefromlefttoright
andtoptobottom.
Iftheteamcontainsmanyvirtualmachines,youmightneedtoscrollthethumbnailsto
viewallthevirtualmachines.Thethumbnailsaredisplayedinthesameorderasthe
teamsstartupsequence.Theleftmostvirtualmachineisthefirstoneinthesequence.
Workstationupdatesthumbnailsinrealtimetodisplaytheactualcontentofthevirtual
machinescreens.Theactivevirtualmachineistheoneyouselectorswitchtobyusing
theTeam>SwitchTomenu.Itappearsinthelowerpaneoftheconsole.Itsthumbnail
isrepresentedbytheVMwareicon.
Workstationmenusandcommandsdirectlyaffectonlytheactivevirtualmachine,and
youcanusethemouseandkeyboardtointeractdirectlywiththeactivevirtual
machine.
Infullscreenmode,Workstationdisplaysonlytheactivevirtualmachine.SeeUseFull
ScreenModeonpage 162.
Managing the Members of a Team

Managingmembersofateamrequiresaddingvirtualmachinestoateam,removing
themfromateam,andsettingtheorderinwhichmembersofateamstartandstop.
Add a Virtual Machine to a Team

Beforeyouaddavirtualmachinetoateam,considertheseissues:
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Avirtualmachineisnotpoweredonwhenyouaddittoarunningteam.Youmust
powerontheaddedvirtualmachinemanuallytouseitduringthecurrentsession.
Theaddedvirtualmachineisthereafterpoweredonoroffwiththerestoftheteam.
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Whenyouaddavirtualmachinetoateam,youcannolongeroperatethevirtual
machineoutsidetheteam.Addingavirtualmachinetoateamremovesitfromthe
Favoriteslist.
NOTEWorkstation4virtualmachinescannotbeaddedtoteams.
To add a virtual machine to a team
Selecttheteam,chooseTeam>Add,andchooseoneofthefollowingoptions:
NewVirtualMachineLaunchestheNewVirtualMachinewizard.SeeUsethe
NewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 89.
ExistingVirtualMachineOpensafilebrowserfromwhichyoucannavigatethe
hostfilesystemtolocateanexisting.vmxfile.
Whenyouaddavirtualmachinetoateamitcannolongerbeaccessedoutsidethe
team.
NewCloneofVirtualMachineOpensafilebrowserfromwhichyoucan
navigatethehostfilesystemtolocateanexisting.vmxfile.Afteryouselecta
virtualmachine,WorkstationlaunchestheCloneVirtualMachinewizard.See
CreatingClonesonpage 221.
Remove a Virtual Machine from a Team

Removeavirtualmachinefromateamwhenyouwanttousethevirtualmachine
independently.Thatis,itdoesnotneedtobestarteduporshutdownbeforeorafter
anyothervirtualmachine.Italsodoesnotneedtobeinaprivateteamnetwork.
NOTEWhenyouremoveavirtualmachinefromateam,youalsoremoveitfromteam
LANsegments.VirtualnetworkadaptersassociatedwithLANsegmentsbecome
disconnected.Bridged,hostonly,NAT,andcustomconfigurationsremainunchanged.
To remove a virtual machine from a team
1
Poweroffthevirtualmachinethatyouwanttoremove.
SelecttheteamandchooseTeam>Remove><virtual machine name>.

Theselectedvirtualmachineisremovedfromtheteam.
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Youcanperformthesetasksafterremovingthevirtualmachine:
AddthevirtualmachinetotheFavoriteslist.SeeToaddvirtualmachinesand
teamstotheFavoriteslistonpage 64.
Deletethevirtualmachineanderaseitsfilesfromthehostfilesystem.SeeDelete
aVirtualMachineonpage 158.
Specify the Startup Sequence for a Team

Useastartupsequencetospecifytheorderinwhichvirtualmachinesstartandstopand
thedelay,inseconds,betweenstartingandstoppingthenextvirtualmachineinthe
sequence.
Poweronandresumeoperationsoccurintheorderofthesequenceshownintheteam
settingslist.Poweroffoperationsoccurinreverseorder.Thedefaultsequence,isthe
orderinwhichyouaddedthevirtualmachinestotheteam.Thedefaultdelayis
10 seconds.
Settingastartupsequenceisuseful,forexample,ifyouhaveavirtualmachinethatruns
anapplicationtobetestedandyouwantittostartbeforethevirtualmachinesrunning
anautomatedtestingscript.
SettingadelayavoidsoverloadingtheCPUwhenmultiplevirtualmachinesstartand
allowsapplicationsonavirtualmachinetolaunchbeforeanotherteamvirtualmachine
attemptstoconnect.
To specify a startup sequence for a team
1
Selecttheteam.
ChooseTeam>SettingsandclicktheVirtualMachinestab.
Usetheupanddownarrowbuttonstoarrangethevirtualmachinesinthelist.
Thevirtualmachineatthetopofthelististhefirstinthestartupsequence.
Selecteachvirtualmachineandspecifyhowmanysecondsyouwantittowait
beforestartingthenextvirtualmachine.
Ifthevirtualmachineteamdependsonprecisestartuptiming,experimentto
determinehowmuchtimethehostandguestoperatingenvironmentsand
applicationsneedtolaunch.
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ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
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Power Operations for Teams and Their Members

Poweroperationsforteamsaremuchthesameasthoseforanindividualvirtual
machine.However,forateam,youcanalsochangethesequenceinwhichthemembers
ofateampoweronandoff.SeeSpecifytheStartupSequenceforaTeamonpage 278.
YoucanalsouseWorkstationscommandlineapplicationforteampoweroperations.
SeeAppendix A,Appendix:WorkstationCommandLineReference,onpage 485.
Power On a Team
Whenyoupoweronateam,thevirtualmachinesintheteampoweroninthestartup
sequencespecifiedintheteamsettingseditor.SeeSpecifytheStartupSequencefora
Teamonpage 278.
To power on a team
TousetheWorkstationGUI,selecttheteamandchooseTeam>Power>
Power On.
Tousethecommandline,seeStartupOptionsforWorkstationandVirtual
Machinesonpage 485.
Suspend or Resume a Team

Whenyoususpendateam,allteamvirtualmachinesaresuspendedsimultaneously.
Thestartupsequencedeterminestheorderinwhichvirtualmachinesareresumedand
howmuchtimeelapsesbeforeresumingthenextteammember.SeeSpecifythe
StartupSequenceforaTeamonpage 278.
IfyouattempttocloseWorkstationwhileateamsuspendorresumeoperationisstillin
progress,awarningdialogboxappears.
To suspend or resume a team
1
Tosuspendorresumeateam,selecttheteamandchooseoneoftheTeam>Power
options.
Allteamvirtualmachinesaresuspendedsimultaneously.
Toseetheprogressofaparticularteammember,chooseTeam>Switch To>
<virtual_machine_name>.
Thetimetocompletetheoperationvarieswiththesizeofthevirtualmachines.
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Perform Power Operations on One Team Member

Performingapoweroperationforonememberofateamissimilartoperformingthe
operationforavirtualmachinethatisnotpartoftheteam,exceptthatinsteadof
selectingthemachinefromtheFavoriteslist,youselectitfromtheteamsconsoletab.
To perform power operations on one team member
1
Selectthevirtualmachinefromtheteamsconsoletab.
ChoosetheappropriatecommandfromtheVM>Powermenu.
Working with Team Networks

Oneoftheadvantagesofteamsistheabilitytoisolatevirtualmachinesinprivate
virtualnetworks,calledLANsegments.Thiscanbeusefulwithmultitiertesting,
networkperformanceanalysis,andsituationswhereisolationandpacketlossare
important.
ForinformationaboutotheraspectsofnetworkingthanLANsegments,seeChapter 14,
ConfiguringaVirtualNetwork,onpage 285.
LAN Segment Requirements Regarding IP Addresses

Whenyouaddanexistingvirtualmachinetoateam,thevirtualmachinemightbe
configuredtoexpectanIPaddressfromaDHCPserver.UnlikehostonlyandNAT
networking,LANsegmentshavenoDHCPserverprovidedautomaticallyby
Workstation.
EachnetworkclientmusthaveanIPaddressforTCP/IPnetworking.Thereforeyou
mustmanuallyconfigureIPaddressingforteamvirtualmachinesonaLANsegment.
Twochoicesareavailable:
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DHCPConfigureaDHCPserveronyourLANsegmenttoallocateIPaddresses
toyourvirtualmachines.
StaticIPConfigureafixedIPaddressforeachvirtualmachineontheLAN
segment.
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Create a Team LAN Segment

ThefirststeptocreatingavirtualnetworkforateamistoaddandnameaLAN
segment.Youcanthenconfigureconnectionstothissegment.
To create a team LAN segment
1
SelecttheteamandchooseTeam>Add>LAN Segment.
EnteranamefortheprivatenetworkandclickOK.
Youcanconfiguretheothersettingsinthisdialogboxlater.
YoucanperformthesetasksaftercreatingaLANsegment:
Configurenetworktransmissionpropertiesforthesegment.SeeConfigureLAN
Segmentsonpage 281.
Createanetworkadapterandconnectittothesegment.SeeAddorRemove
NetworkAdaptersonpage 282.
Configure LAN Segments

YoucanconfigurenetworktransmissionpropertiesforateamLANsegment,including
bandwidthsettingssuchasconnectiontypeandspeed,aswellaspercentageofpacket
lossallowed.
To configure LAN segments
1
SelecttheteamandchooseTeam>Settings.
ClicktheLANSegmentstab,andcompletethefields.
Fromthistabyoucanadd,remove,andrenametheLANsegmentsconfiguredfor
theteam.
ThelistintheleftpanedisplaysLANsegmentsassociatedwiththeteam.
ClickanametoselecttheLANsegmentyouwanttoconfigure.
Therightpanedisplaysparametersforthephysicalpropertiesoftheemulated
LANsegmentlink:
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NameNameoftheLANsegment.Tochangethename,typeanewnamein
theNamefield.
BandwidthDropdownmenuofbandwidthsfortypicalnetworklinks.To
changethebandwidth,chooseanotherconnectiontypefromthedropdown
menu.
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KbpsFieldtosetacustombandwidth,inkilobitspersecond.Changeshere
areoverwrittenwhenyoumakeaselectionfromtheBandwidthmenu.To
changethebandwidth,typeanumberintothefield.
PacketLossSpecificationoftheefficiencyorfaultinessofthelink,measured
inthepercentageofpacketslostfromthetotalnumberofpacketstransmitted.
Tochangethepacketlosssetting,typeanumberintothefield.
ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
(Optional)Ifvirtualmachinesarecurrentlyrunningandyouwantthemtoadopt
theseconfigurationchanges,poweron,reset,orresumethevirtualmachines,as
appropriate.
Add or Remove Network Adapters

AphysicalPCmusthaveanetworkadapterorNIC(networkinterfacecontroller),for
eachphysicalnetworkconnection.Similarly,avirtualmachinemustbeconfigured
withavirtualnetworkadapterforeachLANsegmentitinteractswith.
ToconnectavirtualmachinetomultipleLANsegmentssimultaneously,youmust
configurethatvirtualmachinewithmultiplenetworkadapters.
To add or remove network adapters
1
Poweroffthevirtualmachinethatyouwanttoaddanetworkadaptertoorremove
anadapterfrom.
OntheConnectionstab,selectthevirtualmachineanddooneofthefollowing:
Toaddanetworkadapter,clickAddAdapter.
TheaddedadapterisdisplayedintheAdapterscolumn.Bydefault,the
adapterconnectstothebridgedLANsegment,butyoucanchangethesetting
byclickingacheckboxforanothersegment.Ifthesegmentyouwanttouseis
notlisted,createit.SeeCreateaTeamLANSegmentonpage 281.
NICsconfiguredwithconnectionsthroughaDHCPservercannotconnectto
ateamLANsegment.
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Toremoveanadapter,selecttheadapteryouwanttoremoveandclick
RemoveAdapter.
ClickOK.
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Delete a LAN Segment

DeletingaLANsegmentdisconnectsallvirtualnetworkadaptersthatareconfigured
forthatLANsegment.Whenyouremoveavirtualmachinefromateam,youmust
manuallyconfigureitsdisconnectedvirtualnetworkadapterifyouwanttoreconnect
thevirtualmachinetoanetwork.
To delete a LAN segment
1
ClicktheLANSegmentstabandselecttheLANsegmentyouwanttodelete.
ClickRemoveandclickOK.
Cloning and Taking Snapshots of Team Virtual Machines

Youcancloneavirtualmachineinateaminthesamewayyoucloneanyothervirtual
machine.SeeCreatingClonesonpage 221.
Whenyoucloneavirtualmachineinateam:
Theresultingcloneisnotpartoftheteam.
ThecloneappearsontheFavoriteslistaswellasinasummarywindow.
IftheparentvirtualmachineisconfiguredforaLANsegment,thevirtualnetwork
adapterforthatLANsegmentonthecloneisdisconnected.Toconnecttoa
network,youmustreconfigurethevirtualEthernetadaptermanually.
Snapshotsoperateonlyonvirtualmachinesandnotonthewholeteam.Whenateam
isactive,youcanusetheSnapshotbuttononthetoolbartotakeasnapshotofonlythe
activevirtualmachine.
Topreservethestateofallvirtualmachinesonateam,powerofftheteam,andtakea
snapshotofeachvirtualmachinebeforeyoupowerontheteamagain.
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14
Configuring a Virtual
Network
14
ThischapterpreviewsthevirtualnetworkingcomponentsthatVMwareWorkstation
providesandshowshowtousethemwithyourvirtualmachine.Thischapterincludes
thefollowingtopics:
ComponentsoftheVirtualNetworkonpage 285
CommonNetworkingConfigurationsonpage 286
ExampleofaCustomNetworkingConfigurationonpage 291
ChangingaNetworkingConfigurationonpage 295
ConfiguringBridgedNetworkingonpage 297
ChangingtheSubnetorDHCPSettingsforaVirtualNetworkonpage 299
ConfiguringHostVirtualNetworkAdaptersonpage 301
Components of the Virtual Network

Workstationprovidesthebridged,networkaddresstranslation(NAT),hostonly
networking,andcustomnetworkingoptionstoconfigureavirtualmachineforvirtual
networking.
Virtual Switch
Likeaphysicalswitch,avirtualswitchletsyouconnectothernetworkingcomponents
together.VirtualswitchesarecreatedasneededbyWorkstation,uptoatotalof10
virtualswitchesonWindowsand255onLinux.Youcanconnectoneormorevirtual
machinestoaswitch.Bydefault,afewofthevirtualswitchesaremappedtospecific
networks.
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Table 14-1. Default Virtual Network Switches

Network Type
Switch Name
Reference
Bridged
VMnet0
BridgedNetworkingonpage 287
NAT
VMnet8
NetworkAddressTranslation(NAT)onpage 289
Hostonly
VMnet1
HostOnlyNetworkingonpage 290
TheotheravailablenetworksarenamedVMnet2,VMnet3,VMnet4,andsoon.
DHCP Server
Thedynamichostconfigurationprotocol(DHCP)serverprovidesIPnetwork
addressestovirtualmachinesinconfigurationsthatarenotbridgedtoanexternal
network.Forexample,hostonlyandNATconfigurationsusetheDHCPserver.
Network Adapter
Avirtualnetworkadapterissetupforyourvirtualmachinewhenyouuseanytypeof
networkingtocreateitwiththeNewVirtualMachinewizard.Itappearsintheguest
operatingsystemasanAMDPCNETPCIadapterorasanIntelPro/1000MTServer
Adapter.OnWindowsVistaandWindows7guests,itisanIntelPro/1000MTServer
Adapter.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortocreateandconfigureupto10network
adaptersineachWorkstation6.0andhighervirtualmachine.Thelimitisthreeadapters
forWorkstation4or5.xvirtualmachines.Formoreinformation,seeChanginga
NetworkingConfigurationonpage 295.
Common Networking Configurations

WhenyouchoosethestandardnetworkingoptionsintheNewVirtualMachinewizard
orthevirtualmachinesettingseditor,thenetworkingconfigurationsaresetupforyou
automatically.
IfyouselecttheTypicalsetuppathintheNewVirtualMachinewizard,thewizardsets
upnetworkaddresstranslation(NAT)forthevirtualmachine.SelecttheCustomsetup
pathtochooseanyofthecommonconfigurations:bridgednetworking,NAT,or
hostonlynetworking.Thewizardconnectsthevirtualmachinetotheappropriate
virtualnetwork.
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Chapter 14 Configuring a Virtual Network
Youcansetupmorespecializedconfigurationsbychoosingtheappropriatesettingsin
thevirtualmachinesettingseditor,inthevirtualnetworkeditor(onWindowsand
Linuxhosts),andonyourhostcomputer.Onallhosts,thesoftwareneededforall
networkingconfigurationsisinstalledwhenyouinstallWorkstation.
YoucanconnectmultiplevirtualmachinestothesamevirtualEthernetswitch.Ona
Windowshost,youcanconnectanunlimitednumberofvirtualnetworkdevicestoa
virtualswitch.OnaLinuxhost,youcanconnectupto32devices.
IfyouhavesetyourvirtualnetworksettingsonapreviousversionofWorkstationand
upgradetoanewversion,yourpreviousnetworksettingsmightbefullyorpartially
preserved.Formoreinformation,seePreparingforanUpgradeonpage 47.
Bridged Networking
Bridgednetworkingconnectsavirtualmachinetoanetworkbyusingthehost
computersnetworkadapter.Ifyourhostcomputerisonanetwork,thisisoftenthe
easiestwaytogiveyourvirtualmachineaccesstothatnetwork.Thevirtualnetwork
adapterinthevirtualmachineconnectstothephysicalnetworkadapterinyourhost
computer,allowingittoconnecttotheLANthehostcomputeruses.
Bridgednetworkingconfiguresyourvirtualmachineasauniqueidentityonthe
network,separatefromandunrelatedtoitshost.Itmakesthevirtualmachinevisible
toothercomputersonthenetwork,andtheycancommunicatedirectlywiththevirtual
machine.Bridgednetworkingworkswithbothwiredandwirelessphysicalhost
networkcards.
Figure 14-1. Bridged Networking Setup
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine
virtual network switch

(VMnet0)
virtual bridge
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host
network
adapter
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Set Up Bridged Networking

WindowsandLinuxhostscanusebridgednetworkingtoconnecttowiredandwireless
networks.
To set up bridged networking
Foranewvirtualmachine,chooseFile>New>VirtualMachine>Custom
(advanced)andselectUsebridgednetworkingintheNewVirtualMachine
wizard.
Foranexistingvirtualmachine,chooseVM>Settings.
a
OntheHardwaretabselectNetworkAdapter.
IntheNetworkconnectionsectionselectBridged:Connecteddirectlytothe
physicalnetwork.
(Optional)SelectReplicatephysicalnetworkconnectionstateifyouusethe
virtualmachineonalaptoporothermobiledevice.
Asyoumovefromonewiredorwirelessnetworktoanother,theIPaddressis
automaticallyrenewed.
Setup Requirements for IP Addresses

Ifyouusebridgednetworking,yourvirtualmachinemusthaveitsownidentityonthe
network.Forexample,onaTCP/IPnetwork,thevirtualmachineneedsitsown
IP address.YournetworkadministratorcantellyouwhetherIPaddressesareavailable
foryourvirtualmachineandwhichnetworkingsettingsyoushoulduseintheguest
operatingsystem.Generally,yourguestoperatingsystemcanacquireanIPaddress
andothernetworkdetailsautomaticallyfromaDHCPserver,oryoumightneedtoset
theIPaddressandotherdetailsmanuallyintheguestoperatingsystem.
Ifyouusebridgednetworking,thevirtualmachineisafullparticipantinthenetwork.
Ithasaccesstoothermachinesonthenetworkandothermachinesonthenetworkcan
contactitasifitwereaphysicalcomputeronthenetwork.
Userswhobootmultipleoperatingsystemsoftenassignthesameaddresstoall
systems,becausetheyassumethatonlyoneoperatingsystemwillberunningatatime.
NOTEIfthehostcomputerissetuptobootmultipleoperatingsystemsandyourun
oneormoreoftheminvirtualmachines,configureeachoperatingsystemwitha
uniquenetworkaddress.
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Network Address Translation (NAT)

NATconfiguresavirtualmachinetosharetheIPandMACaddressesofthehost.
The virtualmachineandthehostshareasinglenetworkidentitythatisnotvisible
outsidethenetwork.NATcanbeusefulwhenyournetworkadministratorletsyouuse
asingleIPaddressorMACaddress.IfcannotgiveyourvirtualmachineanIPaddress
ontheexternalnetwork,youcanuseNATtogiveyourvirtualmachineaccesstothe
InternetoranotherTCP/IPnetwork.NATusesthehostcomputersnetwork
connection.NATworkswithEthernet,DSL,andphonemodems.
Figure 14-2. NAT Setup
virtual
network
adapter

(VMnet8)
virtual machine
NAT
device
DHCP server
network
IfyouselectNAT,thevirtualmachinecanusemanystandardTCP/IPprotocolsto
connecttoothermachinesontheexternalnetwork.Forexample,youcanuseHTTPto
browseWebsites,FTPtotransferfiles,andTelnettologontoothercomputers.
NAT alsoletsyoutoconnecttoaTCP/IPnetworkbyusingaTokenRingadapteronthe
hostcomputer.
Inthedefaultconfiguration,computersontheexternalnetworkcannotinitiate
connectionstothevirtualmachine.Thatmeans,forexample,thatthedefault
configurationdoesnotletyouusethevirtualmachineasaWebservertosendWeb
pagestocomputersontheexternalnetwork.Thisconfigurationprotectstheguest
operatingsystemfrombeingcompromisedbeforeyouhaveachancetoinstallsecurity
software.FormoreinformationonNAT,seeUsingNATonpage 316.
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289
Setting Up NAT
Bydefault,NATisusedwhenyouusetheTypicalsetuptocreateavirtualmachinein
theNewVirtualMachinewizard.

IfyouuseNAT,yourvirtualmachinedoesnothaveitsownIPaddressontheexternal
network.Instead,aseparateprivatenetworkissetuponthehostcomputer.Your
virtualmachinegetsanaddressonthatnetworkfromtheVMwarevirtualDHCP
server.TheVMwareNATdevicepassesnetworkdatabetweenoneormorevirtual
machinesandtheexternalnetwork.Itidentifiesincomingdatapacketsintendedfor
eachvirtualmachineandsendsthemtothecorrectdestination.
Host-Only Networking
Hostonlynetworkingcreatesanetworkthatiscompletelycontainedwithinthehost
computer.Hostonlynetworkingprovidesanetworkconnectionbetweenthevirtual
machineandthehostcomputer,usingavirtualnetworkadapterthatisvisibletothe
hostoperatingsystem.Thisapproachcanbeusefulifyouneedtosetupanisolated
virtualnetwork.Inthisconfiguration,thevirtualmachinecannotconnecttothe
Internet.Formoreinformationonhostonlynetworking,seeSelectingIPAddresses
onaHostOnlyNetworkorNATConfigurationonpage 304.
Figure 14-3. Host-Only Networking Setup
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine
290

(VMnet1)
host
network
adapter
DHCP server
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Set Up Host-Only Networking

Youcansetuphostonlynetworkingwhilecreatingavirtualmachineorafteravirtual
machineiscreated.
To set up host-only networking
Foranewvirtualmachine,chooseFile>New>VirtualMachine>Custom
(advanced)andselectUsehostonlynetworkingintheNewVirtualMachine
wizard.
Foranexistingvirtualmachine,chooseVM>Settings.
a
OntheHardwaretabselectNetworkAdapter.
IntheNetworkconnectionsectionclickHostonly:Aprivatenetworkshared
withthehost.

Ifyouusehostonlynetworking,yourvirtualmachineandthehostvirtualadapterare
connectedtoaprivateEthernetnetwork.TheVMwareDHCPserverprovides
addressesonthisnetwork.
Routing and Connection Sharing

Ifyouinstalltheproperroutingorproxysoftwareonyourhostcomputer,youcan
establishaconnectionbetweenthehostvirtualnetworkadapterandaphysical
networkadapteronthehostcomputer.Thisletsyouconnectthevirtualmachinetoa
TokenRingorothernonEthernetnetwork.
OnaWindowsXPorWindowsServer2003hostcomputer,youcanusehostonly
networkingincombinationwiththeInternetconnectionsharingfeatureinWindowsto
allowavirtualmachinetousethehostsdialupnetworkingadapterorother
connectiontotheInternet.FordetailsonhowtoconfigureInternetconnectionsharing,
seeyourWindowsdocumentation.
Example of a Custom Networking Configuration

WiththeWorkstationvirtualnetworkingcomponents,youcancreatesophisticated
virtualnetworks.Thevirtualnetworkscanbeconnectedtooneormoreexternal
networks,ortheycanrunentirelyonthehostcomputer.OnWindowshosts,youcan
usethevirtualnetworkeditortoaccessmultiplenetworkcardsinyourhostandcreate
multiplevirtualnetworks.
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291
Beforeyouattempttosetupcomplexvirtualnetworks,youneedagoodunderstanding
ofhowtoconfigurenetworkdevicesinyourhostandguestoperatingsystems.
Figure 144showsmostofthewaysyoucancombinedevicesonavirtualnetwork.In
thisexample,aWebserverconnectsthroughafirewalltoanexternalnetwork.An
administratorscomputerconnectstotheWebserverthroughasecondfirewall.
Figure 14-4. Custom Configuration with Two Firewalls
host
network
adapter
virtual bridge
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine 2
Web server
virtual
network
adapter
virtual network switch virtual

(VMnet0)
network
adapter

(VMnet2)
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine 3
firewall
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine 1
firewall

(VMnet3)
virtual
network
adapter
virtual machine 4
internal PC
OthercustomconfigurationsaredescribedinAdvancedVirtualNetworkingon
page 303andUsingNATonpage 316.
Set Up a Custom Networking Configuration

Tosetupthecustomnetworkingconfiguration,createfourvirtualmachinesanduse
thevirtualmachinesettingseditortoadjustthesettingsfortheirvirtualnetwork
adapters.Installtheappropriateguestoperatingsystemsandapplicationsoftwarein
eachvirtualmachineandmaketheappropriatenetworkingsettingsineachvirtual
machine.
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To set up a custom networking configuration

1
SetupfourvirtualmachinesusingtheNewVirtualMachinewizard:
a
ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine.
Createthefirstvirtualmachinewithbridgednetworkingsothatitcanconnect
toanexternalnetworkbyusingthehostcomputersnetworkadapter.
Createtheotherthreevirtualmachineswithoutnetworking.
Settingupvirtualnetworkadaptersandinstallationoftheoperatingsystems
areperformedinStep 7.
Configurenetworksettingsforthefirstvirtualmachine:
a
Openthefirstvirtualmachine,butdonotpoweriton.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoaddasecondvirtualnetwork
adapter.
SeeChangingaNetworkingConfigurationonpage 295.
c
3
VMware, Inc.
ConnectthesecondadaptertoCustom(VMnet2).
Configurenetworksettingsforthesecondvirtualmachine.
a
Openavirtualmachine,butdonotpoweriton.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoaddavirtualnetworkadapter.
ConnecttheadaptertoCustom(VMnet2).
Configurenetworksettingsforthethirdvirtualmachine:
a
Openvirtualmachine3,butdonotpoweriton.
Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoaddasecondvirtualnetwork
adapter.
ConnectthesecondadaptertoCustom(VMnet3).
Configurenetworksettingsforthefourthvirtualmachine:
a
Openvirtualmachine4,butdonotpoweriton.
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DeterminethenetworkaddressesusedforVMnet2andVMnet3:
OnWindowshosts,openacommandpromptandrunthefollowing
command:
ipconfig /all
Notethenetworkaddressesthateachvirtualadapteruses.
OnLinuxhosts,openaterminalandrunthefollowingcommand:
ifconfig
Notethenetworkaddressesthateachvirtualswitchuses.
7
Poweroneachvirtualmachineinturnandinstalltheappropriateguestoperating
system.
OnWindowsandLinuxhosts,toconfigurenetworkaddressesusingtheDHCP
server,dothefollowing:
a
ChooseEdit>VirtualNetworkEditor.
OnLinux,chooseApplications>SystemTools>VirtualNetworkEditor,or
theequivalentmenupathforyourversionofLinux.
SelectVMnet2andchecktheUselocalDHCPservicetodistributeIPaddress
toVMsoption.
Formoreinformationonchangingsubnets,seeChangeSubnetorDHCP
SettingsonaWindowsHostonpage 300andChangeSubnetorDHCP
SettingsonaLinuxHostonpage 300.
Configurethenetworkingineachguestoperatingsystem:
Machine1Forthebridgednetworkadapterinvirtualmachine1,usethe
networkingsettingsneededforaconnectiontotheexternalnetwork.Ifthe
virtualmachinereceivesitsIPaddressfromaDHCPserverontheexternal
network,thedefaultsettingsshouldwork.
Forthesecondnetworkadapterinvirtualmachine1,manuallyassignan
IP addressintherangeyouareusingwithVMnet2.
10
294
Machine2AssignanIPaddressintherangeyouareusingwithVMnet2.
Machine3NetworkadaptersareconnectedtoVMnet2andVMnet3.Assign
anIPaddressinthevirtualnetworksrangeitisconnectedto.
Machine4AssignanIPaddressintherangeyouareusingwithVMnet3.
Installthenecessaryapplicationsoftwareineachvirtualmachine.
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Changing a Networking Configuration

Youcanusethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoaddvirtualnetworkadapterstoyour
virtualmachineandchangethenetworkingconfigurationofexistingadapters.
Find the Network Type of a Virtual Machine

Unlessyousetupacustomnetworkconnection,avirtualmachineusesabridged,NAT,
orhostonlynetworkconnection.IfyouusetheTypicalsetuppathintheNewVirtual
Machinewizardtocreateavirtualmachine,thenewvirtualmachineusestheNAT
networktype.
Formoreinformation,seeCommonNetworkingConfigurationsonpage 286.
To find the network type of a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings>Hardware.
Selectthenetworkadapter.
TheNetworkConnectionsectiondisplaysthedetailsthatletsyoutochangethe
settings.
Tochangethenetworktype,seeModifyExistingVirtualNetworkAdapterson
page 296.
Add Virtual Network Adapters

Youcanaddupto10virtualnetworkadapterstoavirtualmachine.
To add virtual network adapters
1
Selectthevirtualmachinetowhichyouwanttoaddtheadapter.
ChooseVM>Settings.
SelectNetworkAdapterandclickNext.
Selectthenetworktypetouse.
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295
(Optional)IfyouselectCustom,choosetheVMnetnetworktousefromthe
dropdownmenu.
AlthoughVMnet0,VMnet1,andVMnet8aretechnicallyavailableinthislist,they
areusuallyusedforbridged,hostonly,andNATconfigurations,respectively.You
mustperformanotherproceduretomakethemavailableforuseincustom
configurations.ChooseoneoftheotherVMnetswitches.
ClickFinish.
Thenewadapterisadded.
ClickOKtosaveyourconfiguration.
Modify Existing Virtual Network Adapters

Beforeyoubeginmodifyingthevirtualnetworkadapters,determinethenetworktype
youwanttoassign.SeeCommonNetworkingConfigurationsonpage 286.
To modify existing virtual network adapters
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selecttheadaptertomodify.
Selectthenetworktypetouse.
(Optional)IfyouselectCustom,choosetheVMnetvirtualnetworktouseforthe
networkfromthedropdownmenu.
AlthoughVMnet0,VMnet1,andVMnet8aretechnicallyavailableinthismenu,
theyareusuallyusedforbridged,hostonly,andNATconfigurations,respectively.
Youmustperformanotherproceduretomakethemavailableforuseincustom
configurations.ChooseoneoftheotherVMnetswitches.
ClickOK.
BesuretheguestoperatingsystemisconfiguredtouseanappropriateIPaddress
onthenewnetwork.
IftheguestisusingDHCP,releaseandrenewthelease.IftheIPaddressisset
statically,besuretheguesthasanaddressonthecorrectvirtualnetwork.
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Configuring Bridged Networking

WindowsandLinuxhostsallowyoutoconfigurebridgednetworking.Youcanview
andchangethesettingsforbridgednetworkingonyourhost,determinewhich
networkadaptersonyourhosttouseforbridgednetworking,andmapspecific
networkadapterstospecificvirtualnetworks,calledVMnets.
Configure VMnet0 Automatic Bridged Networking on a Windows

Host
WhenyouconfigureVMnet0bridgednetworkingthechangeyoumakeaffectsallthe
virtualmachinesthatusebridgednetworkingonthehost.
To configure VMnet0 bridged networking on a Windows host
1
Bydefault,VMnet0issettouseautomaticbridgingmodeandbridgestoallofthe
activenetworkadaptersonthehostcomputer.
ClicktheAutomaticSettings,andselectthecheckboxfortheavailablephysical
networkadapter(s)toautomaticallybridgetoVMnet0.
Toplacerestrictionsonanetworkadapter,seeAddorRemoveaHostNetwork
AdapterfromtheListofIncludedAdapters.
ClickOK.
Add or Remove a Host Network Adapter from the List of Included

Adapters
Onhostsystemswithmultiplephysicalnetworkadapters,thechoiceofwhichadapter
Workstationusesisarbitrary.Therefore,youcanplaceorremoverestrictionsona
networkadapterofyourchoice.
To add or remove a host network adapter from the list of included adapters
1
ClickAutomaticSettings.
IntheIncludeadapterssection,dooneofthefollowing:
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Toremoveanadapter,deselecttheadapter.
Toaddanadapter,selecttheadapter.
ClickOK.
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Designate a Physical Network Adapter to Bridge to Custom Virtual

Switches
Beforeyouchangethebridgedadaptermappings,checkwhichvirtualnetworkthe
physicalnetworkadapterisgoingtobeassignedto.
CAUTIONIfyoureassignaphysicalnetworkadaptertoadifferentvirtualnetwork,any
virtualmachinethatisusingtheoriginalnetworklosesitsnetworkconnectivity
throughthatnetwork.Youmustthenchangethesettingforeachaffectedvirtual
machinesnetworkadapterindividually.
Thiscanbeespeciallytroublesomeifyourhosthasonlyonephysicalnetworkadapter
andyoureassignittoaVMnetotherthanVMnet0.Inthiscase,eventhoughtheVMnet
stillappearstobebridgedtoanautomaticallychosenadapter,theonlyadapteritcan
usewasassignedtoanotherVMnet.
To designate a physical network adapter to bridge to custom virtual switches
1
ChooseanadapterfromtheBridgedtodropdownmenu.
YoucancreateacustombridgednetworkonvirtualswitchesVMnet2toVMnet7.
OnWindows,youcanalsouseVMnet9.OnLinux,youcanalsousevmnet10
throughvmnet255.
ClickOK.
Configure vmnet0 Automatic Bridged Networking on a Linux

Host
Bydefault,vmnet0issettouseautomaticbridgingmodeandbridgestooneofthe
activenetworkadaptersonthehostcomputer.
To configure vmnet0 automatic bridged networking on a Linux host
1
OntheLinuxhost,dooneofthefollowing:
Fromthedesktop,
Openaterminalwindowandenterthefollowingcommand:
/usr/bin/vmware-netcfg
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Whenprompted,entertheadministratorpassword.
Ifthetableinthenetworkeditordoesnotdisplayarowforvmnet0,click
Add NetworkandcompletetheAddVirtualNetworkdialogbox.
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Selectthevmnet0rowinthetableandselectBridged.
Touseautomaticbridging,clickAutomaticSettingsandcompletethedialog
box.
Ifyouselectmultiplecheckboxes,thevirtualmachinebridgestothefirst
availablehostnetworkadapter.Ifaniteminthelistisdisabled,theadapteris
notavailablebecauseitisalreadybeingusedtobridgetoanothervmnet.
Tospecifyonehostnetworkadapter,usetheBridgetolistbox.
ClickSave.
Setting Up a Second Automatic Bridged Network Interface

Ifyouhavetwonetworkadaptersinstalledonyourhostcomputerthatareconnected
totwodifferentnetworks,youmightwantyourvirtualmachinesonthathostcomputer
tobridgetobothnetworkadapterssothatthevirtualmachinescanaccesseitherorboth
physicalnetworks.
WhenyouinstallWorkstationonahostcomputerwithmultiplenetworkadapters,you
canconfiguremultiplebridgednetworks.OnaWindowshost,tosetupmultiple
bridgednetworksseeConfigureVMnet0AutomaticBridgedNetworkingona
WindowsHostonpage 297.OnaLinuxhost,tosetupmultiplebridgednetworkssee
Configurevmnet0AutomaticBridgedNetworkingonaLinuxHostonpage 298.
Changing the Subnet or DHCP Settings for a Virtual

Network
OnWindowsandLinuxhosts,youcanusethevirtualnetworkeditortomakechanges
tosubnetandDHCPsettings.
IPnetworksaredividedusingsubnetmasks.Whenyoumodifythesubnetmask,
WorkstationautomaticallyupdatestheIPaddresssettingsforothercomponentssuch
asDHCP,NAT,andhostvirtualadapterifthedefaultsettingswereneverchanged.
The specificsettingsthatareautomaticallyupdatedincludeDHCPleaserange,DHCP
serveraddress,NATgatewayaddress,andhostvirtualadapterIPaddress.
However,ifyouchangedanyofthesesettingsfromtheirdefaultvalue,Workstation
doesnotupdatethatsettingautomaticallyifthevalueisinthevalidrange.Ifthevalue
exceedsthevalidrange,Workstationresetsthesettingsbasedonthesubnetrange.
Workstationpresumesthatcustomsettingsarenottobemodified.Thisisthecaseeven
ifyoulaterchangedthesettingbacktothedefault.
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Change Subnet or DHCP Settings on a Windows Host

Tochangethesubnetsettings,configurethesubnetmask.Thedefaultsubnetmaskis
255.255.255.0(aClassCaddress).Typically,thismeansyoushouldmodifyonlythe
thirdnumberintheIPaddress,forexample,xin192.168.x.0or198.16.x.0.Ingeneral,
donotchangethesubnetmask.Certainvirtualnetworkservicesmightnotworkaswell
withacustomizedsubnetmask.
To change subnet or DHCP settings on a Windows host
1
ChangethesubnetIPaddressintheSubnetIPfieldandmodifythesubnetmask
intheSubnetmaskfield.
Theaddressshouldspecifyavalidnetworkaddressthatissuitableforusewiththe
subnetmask.
ClickOK.
IntheDHCPsettingsdialogbox,youcanchangetherangeofIPaddresses
providedbytheWorkstationDHCPserveronaparticularvirtualnetwork.
YoucanalsosetthedurationofDHCPleasesprovidedtoclientsonthevirtual
network.
ClickOK.
Change Subnet or DHCP Settings on a Linux Host

NATandhostonlynetworktypescanhavesettingsforsubnetIP.Youcanusethe
virtualnetworkeditortochangesubnetsettingsforavirtualnetworkonaLinuxhost.
YoucanalsousethevirtualnetworkeditortospecifythatalocalDHCPservice
distributesIPaddressestovirtualmachines.TochangeDHCPsettingsfurther,editthe
dhcp.conffile.SeeConfiguretheDHCPServeronaLinuxHostonpage 306.
To change subnet or DHCP settings on a Linux host
1
OntheLinuxhost,dooneofthefollowing:
Fromthedesktop,chooseApplications>SystemTools>VirtualNetwork
Configuration,ortheequivalentmenupathforyourversionofLinux.
/usr/bin/vmware-netcfg
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Whenprompted,entertheadministratorpassword.
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Ifthetableinthenetworkeditordoesnotdisplayarowforthenetworktypeyou
want,clickAddNetworkandcompletetheAddVirtualNetworkdialogbox.
Usevmnet1forahostonlynetworktype,andusevmnet8foraNATnetworktype.
SelecttherowinthetablethatcorrespondstothenetworktoeditandselectNAT
orHostonly,asappropriate.
UsetheappropriatecheckboxestospecifywhethertouseaDHCPservice,ahost
virtualadapter,orboth.
TospecifysubnetIP,dooneofthefollowing:
ToautomaticallyselectanunusedsubnetIP,leavetheSubnetIPtextbox
empty.
Thenexttimeyoustartthevirtualnetworkeditor,thesubnetIPappearsinthe
textbox.
TypethesubnetIPyouwanttouseintheSubnetIPtextbox.
ClickSave.
Configuring Host Virtual Network Adapters

WhenyouinstallWorkstation,twonetworkadaptersareaddedtotheconfigurationof
yourhostoperatingsystem.Oneletsthehosttoconnecttothehostonlynetwork,and
theotherletsthehosttoconnecttotheNATnetwork.
Thepresenceofvirtualnetworkadaptershasaslightperformancecost,because
broadcastpacketsmustgototheextraadapters.OnWindowsnetworks,browsingyour
networkmightbeslowerthanusual.Insomecases,theseadaptersinteractwiththe
hostcomputersnetworkingconfigurationinundesirableways.
Connect or Disconnect a Host Virtual Network Adapter

Beforeyoudisconnectahostvirtualnetworkadapterdeterminewhetheryouaregoing
tousethevirtualnetworkadapter.
To connect or disconnect a host virtual network adapter
1
ClicktheConnectahostvirtualadaptertothisnetworkoptiontoconnect.
DeselecttheConnectahostvirtualadaptertothisnetworkoptiontodisconnect.
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Setting Up Two Separate Host-Only Networks

Setupmultiplehostonlynetworksonthesamehostcomputerinsituationssuchasthe
following:
Tohavetwovirtualmachinesconnectedtoonehostonlynetwork,andother
virtualmachinesconnectedtoanotherhostonlynetworktoisolatethenetwork
trafficoneachnetwork.
Totestroutingbetweentwovirtualnetworks.
Totestavirtualmachinewithmultiplenetworkinterfacecards,withoutusingany
physicalnetworkadapters.
OnWindowsandLinuxhosts,thefirsthostonlynetworkissetupautomaticallywhen
youinstallWorkstation.TosetupmultiplehostonlynetworksonWindowsandLinux
hostsseeConnectorDisconnectaHostVirtualNetworkAdapteronpage 301.
OnaLinuxhost,afterthehostonlynetworksaresetup,atleastfournetworkinterfaces
appear:eth0,lo,vmnet1,andvmnet2.Thesefourinterfacesshouldhavedifferent
IP addressesonseparatesubnets.
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15
Advanced Virtual
Networking
15
Thischapterprovidesdetailedinformationaboutnetworkingcapabilitiesand
specializedconfigurationsforexpertusers.Thischapterincludesthefollowing
advancedvirtualnetworkingtopics:
SelectingIPAddressesonaHostOnlyNetworkorNATConfigurationon
page 304
AvoidingIPPacketLeakageinaHostOnlyNetworkonpage 306
MaintainingandChangingtheMACAddressofaVirtualMachineonpage 308
ControllingRoutingInformationforaHostOnlyNetworkonLinuxonpage 310
PotentialIssueswithHostOnlyNetworkingonLinuxonpage 311
ConfiguringHostOnlyVirtualMachinesonpage 312
SetUpRoutingBetweenTwoHostOnlyNetworksonpage 314
UsingVirtualNetworkAdaptersinPromiscuousModeonaLinuxHoston
page 316
UsingNATonpage 316
AdvancedNATConfigurationonpage 319
UsingSambawithWorkstationonpage 328
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Selecting IP Addresses on a Host-Only Network or NAT

Configuration
Thehostandallvirtualmachinesconfiguredforhostonlynetworkingareconnected
tothenetworkthroughavirtualswitch.Typically,allthepartiesonthisnetworkuse
theTCP/IPprotocolsuite,althoughothercommunicationprotocolscanbeused.
Anetworkaddresstranslation(NAT)configurationalsosetsupaprivatenetwork,
whichmustbeaTCP/IPnetwork.ThevirtualmachinesconfiguredforNATare
connectedtothatnetworkthroughavirtualswitch.Ahostvirtualadapterconnectsthe
hostcomputertotheprivatenetworkusedforNAT.
Eachvirtualmachineandthehostmustbeassignedaddressesontheprivatenetwork.
ThisistypicallydonebyusingtheDHCPserverincludedwithWorkstation.Thisserver
doesnotservicevirtualorphysicalmachinesresidingonbridgednetworks.
AddressescanalsobeassignedstaticallyfromapoolofaddressesthattheDHCPserver
doesnotassign.
How the Subnet Number Is Assigned

WhenhostonlynetworkingisenabledatthetimeWorkstationisinstalled,thesubnet
IPaddressforthevirtualnetworkisautomaticallyselectedasanunusedprivatesubnet
IPaddress.ANATconfigurationalsousesanunusedprivatenetworkautomatically
selectedwhenyouinstallWorkstation.
Find the Network Type Used on a Virtual Machine

Beforeyouassignasubnetnumber,determinethenetworktypeusedonthevirtual
machine.
To find the network type used on a virtual machine
ThesubnetnumberassociatedwiththevirtualnetworkislistedintheSubnetAddress
column.
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Chapter 15 Advanced Virtual Networking
Determining Whether to Use DHCP or Statically Assign

Addresses
UsingDHCPtoassignIPaddressesissimplerandmoreautomaticthanstatically
assigningthem.MostWindowsoperatingsystems,forexample,arepreconfiguredto
useDHCPatboottime,soWindowsvirtualmachinescanconnecttothenetworkthe
firsttimetheyarebooted,withoutadditionalconfiguration.Ifyouwantyourvirtual
machinestocommunicatewitheachotherusingnamesinsteadofIPaddresses,
however,youmustsetupanamingconvention,anameserverontheprivatenetwork,
orboth.InthatcaseitmightbesimplertousestaticIPaddresses.
Ingeneral,ifyouhavevirtualmachinesyouintendtousefrequentlyorforextended
periodsoftime,itismostconvenienttoassignthemstaticIPaddressesorconfigurethe
VMwareDHCPservertoalwaysassignthesameIPaddresstoeachofthesevirtual
machines.
DHCP Conventions for Assigning IP Addresses

Fortemporaryvirtualmachines,useDHCPandletitallocateanIPaddress.
ForeachhostonlyorNATnetwork,theavailableIPaddressesareallocatedusingthe
conventionsshowninTable 151andTable 152,where<net>isthenetworknumber
assignedtoyourhostonlyorNATnetwork.WorkstationalwaysusesaClassCaddress
forhostonlyandNATnetworks.
Table 15-1. IP Address Use on a Host-Only Network
Range
Address Use
Example
<net>.1
Hostmachine
192.168.0.1
<net>.2<net>.127
Staticaddresses
192.168.0.2192.168.0.127
<net>.128<net>.253
DHCPassigned
192.168.0.128192.168.0.253
<net>.254
DHCPserver
192.168.0.254
<net>.255
Broadcasting
192.168.0.255
Table 15-2. IP Address Use on a NAT Network

Range
Address Use
Example
<net>.1
Hostmachine
192.168.0.1
<net>.2
NATdevice
192.168.0.2
<net>.3<net>.127
Staticaddresses
192.168.0.3192.168.0.127
<net>.128<net>.253
DHCPassigned
192.168.0.128192.168.0.253
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Table 15-2. IP Address Use on a NAT Network (Continued)

Range
Address Use
Example
<net>.254
DHCPserver
192.168.0.254
<net>.255
Broadcasting
192.168.0.255
Configure the DHCP Server on a Windows Host

OnaWindowshost,usethevirtualnetworkeditortoconfiguretheDHCPserver.
To configure the DHCP server on a Windows host
1
ClickDHCPSettingstochangesettingsfortheselectedvirtualnetwork.
IntheDHCPSettingsdialogboxthatappears,makechangesandclickOK.
Configure the DHCP Server on a Linux Host

EditingtheDHCPserverconfigurationfilerequiresinformationthatisbestobtained
directlyfromtheDHCPserverdocumentation.Consultthedhcpd(8)and
dhcpd.conf(8)manualpages.
NOTETheeditsmadeinsidethereadonlysectionoftheDHCPconfigurationfileare
lostthenexttimeyourunthenetworkeditor.
To configure the DHCP server on a Linux host
ToconfigurethehostonlyDHCPserver,edittheDHCPconfigurationfilefor
vmnet1(/etc/vmware/vmnet1/dhcp/dhcp.conf).
ToconfiguretheDHCPserverfortheNATnetwork,edittheconfigurationfilefor
vmnet8(/etc/vmware/vmnet8/dhcp/dhcp.conf).
Avoiding IP Packet Leakage in a Host-Only Network

Eachhostonlynetworkshouldbeconfinedtothehostmachineonwhichitissetup.
Packetsthatvirtualmachinessendonthisnetworkshouldnotleakouttoaphysical
networkattachedtothehost.Packetleakagecanoccuronlyifamachineactively
forwardspackets.
Ifyouusedialupnetworkingsupportinavirtualmachineandpacketforwardingis
enabled,hostonlynetworktrafficmightleakoutthroughthedialupconnection.
To preventtheleakage,disablepacketforwardinginyourguestoperatingsystem.
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Ifthehostcomputerhasmultiplenetworkadapters,itmightbeintentionally
configuredtouseIPforwarding.Ifthatisthecase,youdonotwanttodisable
forwarding.Toavoidpacketleakage,youmustenableapacketfilteringfacilityand
specifythatpacketsfromthehostonlynetworkshouldnotbesentoutsidethehost
computer.Consultyouroperatingsystemdocumentationfordetailsonhowto
configurepacketfiltering.
Disable Packet Forwarding on Windows Hosts

SystemsusingserverversionsofWindowsoperatingsystemscanforwardIPpackets
thatarenotaddressedtothem.Bydefault,thesesystemsandWindowsVistaand
Windows7systemshaveIPpacketforwardingdisabled.IPforwardingisnota
problemonWindows XPProfessionalorWindows XPHomeEditionhosts.
IfyoufindpacketsleakingfromahostonlynetworkonaWindowshostcomputer,
checkwhetherforwardingwasenabledonthehostmachine.Ifitisenabled,disableit.
To disable packet forwarding on Windows hosts
StoptheRoutingandRemoteAccessservice:
a
ChooseStart>Runandenterservices.mscintheRundialogbox.
IntheServiceswindowthatappears,disabletheRoutingandRemoteAccess
service.
UseWindowsAdministrativeToolstodisableroutingandremoteaccess:
a
OnaWindows2003Serverhost,chooseStart>Programs>Administrative
Tools>RoutingandRemoteAccess.
Aniconontheleftislabeledwiththehostname.Ifagreendotappearsover
theicon,IPforwardingisturnedon.
ToturnoffIPforwarding,rightclicktheiconanddisableRoutingand
RemoteAccess.
Areddotappears,indicatingthatIPforwardingisdisabled.
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Disable Packet Forwarding on Linux Hosts

IfyoufindpacketsleakingfromahostonlynetworkonaLinuxhostcomputer,check
whetherforwardingwasmistakenlyenabledonthehostmachine.Ifitisenabled,
disableit.
To disable packet forwarding on Linux hosts
DependingonwhichtypeofLinuxsystemyouhave,useoneofthefollowingmethods:
Disableforwardingbywritinga0(zero)tothespecialfile
/proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward.Asroot(su-),enterthefollowingcommand:
echo "0" > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
UseaconfigurationoptionthatisappropriateforyourLinuxdistribution.
For example,youmightuseacontrolpanel,specifyasettingatthetimeyou
compileyourkernel,orenteraspecificationwhenyoubootyoursystem.
Fordetailsaboutthemethodtousewithyourdistribution,consultyouroperating
systemdocumentation.
Maintaining and Changing the MAC Address of a Virtual

Machine
Whenavirtualmachineispoweredon,Workstationassignseachofitsvirtualnetwork
adaptersanEthernetmediaaccesscontrol(MAC)address.AMACaddressisthe
uniqueaddressassignedtoeachEthernetnetworkdevice.
ThesoftwareguaranteesthatvirtualmachinesareassigneduniqueMACaddresses
withinagivenhostsystem.ThevirtualmachineisassignedthesameMACaddress
everytimeitispoweredonifbothofthefollowingconditionsaretrue:
Thevirtualmachineisnotmoved.Thatis,thepathnameandfilenameforthe
virtualmachinesconfigurationfileremainthesame.
Nochangesaremadetocertainsettingsintheconfigurationfile.
However,WorkstationcannotguaranteetoautomaticallyassignuniqueMAC
addressesforvirtualmachinesthatrunonmultiplehostsystems.
Avoiding MAC Address Changes

ToavoidchangesintheMACaddressautomaticallyassignedtoavirtualmachine,do
notmovethevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.Movingittoadifferenthost
computerorevenmovingittoadifferentlocationonthesamehostcomputerchanges
theMACaddress.
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Donotchangecertainsettingsinthevirtualmachinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.If you
neveredittheconfigurationfilebyhandanddonotremovethevirtualnetwork
adapter,thesesettingsremainunchanged.Ifyoudoedittheconfigurationfilebyhand,
donotremoveorchangethefollowingoptions:
ethernet[n].generatedAddress
ethernet[n].addressType
ethernet[n].generatedAddressOffset
uuid.location
uuid.bios
ethernet[n].present
Intheseoptions,[n]isthenumberofthevirtualnetworkadapter,forexample0.
NOTETopreserveavirtualnetworkadaptersMACaddress,youmustbecarefulnot
toremovetheadapter.Ifyouremovetheadapterbutlaterrecreateit,theadapter
mightreceiveadifferentMACaddress.
Assign the Same MAC Address to Any Virtual Machine Manually

AssigntheMACaddressmanuallyinsteadofallowingWorkstationtoassignitto
guaranteethefollowing:
ThesameMACaddressisassignedtoagivenvirtualmachineeverytimeyou
poweriton,evenifthevirtualmachineismoved.
AuniqueMACaddressisprovidedforeachvirtualmachinewithinanetworked
environment.
To assign the same MAC address to any virtual machine manually

1
Useatexteditortoremovefromtheconfiguration(.vmx)filethethreelinesthat
beginwiththefollowing:
ethernet[n].generatedAddress
ethernet[n].addressType
ethernet[n].generatedAddressOffset
Intheseoptions,[n]isthenumberofthevirtualnetworkadapter,forexample,0.
OnaLinuxhost,avirtualmachinecreatedwithanearlierVMwareproductmight
haveaconfigurationfilewitha.cfgextension.
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AddthefollowinglinetotheconfigurationfileabovetheUUIDlinesinthefile:
ethernet[n].address = 00:50:56:XX:YY:ZZ
Inthisline,thefourthpairofnumbers,XX,mustbeavalidhexadecimalnumber
between00hand3Fh,andYYandZZmustbevalidhexadecimalnumbersbetween
00handFFh.YoumustusetheaboveformatbecauseWorkstationvirtual
machinesdonotsupportarbitraryMACaddresses.
AvalueforXX:YY:ZZthatisuniqueamongyourhardcodedaddressesavoids
conflictsbetweentheautomaticallyassignedMACaddressesandthemanually
assignedaddresses.
Controlling Routing Information for a Host-Only Network

on Linux
Ahostonlynetworkisafullfledgednetwork.Ithasanetworkinterfaceassociated
withit(vmnet1)thatismarkedupatthetimethehostoperatingsystemisbooted.
Routingserverprocessesthatoperateonthehostoperatingsystem,suchasroutedand
gated,automaticallydiscoverthehostonlynetworkandpropagateinformationon
howtoreachthenetworkunlessyouexplicitlyconfigurethemnottodoso.
Ifeitheroftheseprocessesisbeingrunonlytoreceiveroutinginformation,theeasiest
solutionistoruntheroutingconfigurationwitha-qoptionsothatthehostonly
networkdoesnotsupplybutonlyreceivesroutinginformation.
If,however,routingservicesarerunningbecausetheyaretosupplyrouting
information,configurethemsothattheydonotadvertiseroutestothehostonly
network.
TheversionofroutedincludedwithmanydistributionsofLinuxhasnosupportfor
specifyingthataninterfaceshouldnotbeadvertised.Consulttherouted(8)manual
pageforyoursystem.
Forgated,configurationyoumustexplicitlyexcludethevmnet1interfacefromany
protocolactivity.Ifyouneedtorunvirtualmachinesonahostonlynetworkona
multihomedsystemwheregatedisusedandhaveproblemsdoingso,contactVMware
technicalsupportbysubmittingasupportrequestontheVMwareWebsite.
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Potential Issues with Host-Only Networking on Linux

Thefollowingarecommonissuesyoumightencounterwhenyouareconfiguringa
hostonlynetworkonLinux.
DHCPD on the Linux Host Does Not Work After Installing

Workstation
IfyouwererunningtheDHCPserverdhcpdutilityonyourmachinebeforeyou
installedWorkstation,itprobablywasconfiguredtorespondtoDHCPrequestsfrom
clientsonanynetworkinterfacepresentonthemachine.Whenhostonlynetworking
isconfigured,anadditionalnetworkinterface,vmnet1,ismarkedupandavailablefor
use,anddhcpdmightnoticethis.
Insuchcases,somedhcpdimplementationsabortiftheirconfigurationfilesdonot
includeasubnetspecificationfortheinterface.Thiscanhappenevenifdhcpdisnot
supposedtorespondtomessagesthatarrivethroughtheinterface.
Thebestsolutionistoaddalinetothedhcpdconfigurationfileinthefollowingformat:
subnet <net>.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {}
Here <net>isthenetworknumberassignedtoyourhostonlynetwork,forexample,
192.168.0.Thislineintheconfigurationfileinformsdhcpdaboutthehostonlynetwork
andtellsitexplicitlynottorespondtoanyDHCPrequestsarrivingfromit.
Analternativesolutionistoexplicitlystatethesetofnetworkinterfacesfordhcpdto
monitoreachtimeyoustarttheprogram.Forexample,ifyourmachinehasone
Ethernetinterface,eth0,eachtimeyoustartdhcpd,listtheinterfaceonthecommand
line:
dhcpd eth0
Thispreventsdhcpdfromsearchingforallavailablenetworkinterfaces.
IfthesesolutionsdonotworkforyourDHCPserverprogram,itmightbeanoldDHCP
server.YoucantryupgradingtoamorecurrentversionofDHCPavailablefromthe
InternetSystemsConsortium(ISC)Website.
DHCP and DDNS

UseDHCPtosupplyIPaddressesaswellasotherinformation,suchastheidentityof
ahostrunninganameserverandthenearestrouterorgateway.TheDHCPserverin
Workstationdoesnotprovideameanstodynamicallyestablisharelationshipbetween
theIPaddressitassignsandaclientsname(thatis,toupdateaDNSserverusing
dynamicdomainnameservice(DDNS).
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Tousenamestocommunicatewithothervirtualmachines,youmusteithereditthe
DHCPconfigurationfileforvmnet1(/etc/vmware/vmnet1/dhcpd/dhcpd.conf),or
useIPaddressesthatarestaticallyboundtoahostname.EditingtheDHCPserver
configurationfilerequiresinformationthatisbestobtaineddirectlyfromtheDHCP
serverdocumentation.Consultthedhcpd(8)anddhcpd.conf(8)manualpages.
NOTETheeditsmadeinsidethereadonlysectionoftheDHCPconfigurationfileare
lostthenexttimeyourunthenetworkeditor.
Configuring Host-Only Virtual Machines

Ifyouhavealreadycreatedtwohostonlyinterfaces(VMnet1andVMnet2),youcanset
upyourvirtualmachinesforoneofthefollowingconfigurations:
Configuration1Thevirtualmachineisconfiguredwithonevirtualnetwork
adapter,andthatvirtualadapterisconnectedtothedefaulthostonlyinterface
(VMnet1).Tousethisconfiguration,seeSetUpUsingConfiguration1or2on
page 312.
Configuration2Thevirtualmachineisconfiguredwithonevirtualnetwork
adapter,andthatvirtualadapterisconnectedtothenewlycreatedhostonly
interface(VMnet2).Tousethisconfiguration,seeSetUpUsingConfiguration1
or2onpage 312.
Configuration3Thevirtualmachineisconfiguredwithtwovirtualnetwork
adapters.Onevirtualadapterisconnectedtothedefaulthostonlyinterface
(VMnet1)andtheothervirtualadapterisconnectedtothenewlycreatedhostonly
interface(VMnet2).Tousethisconfiguration,seeSetUpUsingConfiguration3
onpage 313.
Set Up Using Configuration 1 or 2

Usethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoconnectthevirtualmachinetothedefault
hostonlyadapteroracustomhostonlyadapter.
To set up using configuration 1 or 2
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ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectNetworkAdapter.
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IntheNetworkConnectionsection,dooneofthefollowing:
Toconnecttothedefaulthostonlyinterface(VMnet1),selectHostonly.
Toconnecttothenewlycreatedhostonlyinterface,selectCustom,andchoose
VMnet2fromthedropdownmenuontheright.
(Optional)Ifnonetworkadapterisshowninthelistofdevices,addone,as
describedinAddVirtualNetworkAdaptersonpage 295.
Set Up Using Configuration 3

Makesurethattherearetwonetworkdevicesforthisvirtualmachine.Formore
informationonaddingvirtualnetworkadapters,seeAddVirtualNetworkAdapters
onpage 295.
To set up using configuration 3
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectthefirstNetworkAdapter.
IntheNetworkConnectionsection,selectHostonly.
Thisadapterisconnectedtothedefaulthostonlyinterface(VMnet1).
Selectthesecondnetworkadapterinthelist,andintheNetworkConnection
section,selectCustomandchooseVMnet2fromthedropdownmenu.
Complete Configuring the Virtual Network Adapters

TocompletetheconfigurationyoumustassignanIPaddressontheappropriateVMnet
subnettoeachvirtualnetworkadapterasyouwouldforphysicaladaptersona
physicalcomputer.
To complete configuring the virtual network adapters
1
Poweronthevirtualmachineandinstallyourguestoperatingsystem.
Inconfigurations1and2,youseeonenetworkadapter.Inconfiguration3,yousee
twonetworkadapterswithintheguest.
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AssignIPaddressestothevirtualnetworkadapters.
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(Optional)ToseetheIPaddressthatahostonlynetworkisusing:
OnWindowshosts,openacommandpromptandrunthefollowing
command:
ipconfig /all
OnLinuxhosts,openaterminalandrunthefollowingcommand:
ifconfig
Set Up Routing Between Two Host-Only Networks

Ifyouaresettingupacomplextestnetworkthatusesvirtualmachines,youmightwant
tohavetwoindependenthostonlynetworkswitharouterbetweenthem.
Useoneofthefollowingmethods.Inbothcases,youneedtwohostonlyinterfaces.:
Theroutersoftwarerunsonthehostcomputer.
Theroutersoftwarerunsonitsownvirtualmachine.
Theexamplesdescribedhereoutlinethesimplestcase,withonevirtualmachineon
eachofthehostonlynetworks.Formorecomplexconfigurations,youcanaddmore
virtualmachinesandhostonlynetworks,asappropriate.
To set up routing between two host-only networks
1
Setuptheconnectiontothefirst(default)hostonlyinterface,asdescribedinSet
UpUsingConfiguration1or2onpage 312.
Setuptheconnectiontothesecond(VMnet2)hostonlyinterface,asdescribedin
SetUpUsingConfiguration1or2onpage 312.
(Optional)Toruntheroutersoftwareonavirtualmachine,setupathirdvirtual
machinewithconnectionstothetwohostonlyinterfaces,asdescribedinSetUp
UsingConfiguration3onpage 313.
Toruntheroutersoftwareonyourhostcomputer,skipthisstep.
StoptheVMnetDHCPserverservice:
OnaWindowshost,chooseEdit>VirtualNetworkEditor>DHCP,selectthe
serviceandclickStop.
OnaLinuxhost,openaterminalandusethefollowingcommandtostopthe
vmnet-dhcpdservice:
killall -TERM vmnet-dhcpd
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Installtheroutersoftware,eitheronthehostcomputerorinthethirdvirtual
machine,dependingontheapproachyouareusing.
Configurenetworkinginthefirsttwovirtualmachinestouseaddressesonthe
appropriatehostonlynetwork:
OnWindowshosts,openacommandpromptandruntheipconfig /all
commandtodeterminewhichIPaddresseseachhostonlynetworkisusing.
OnLinuxhosts,openaterminalandruntheifconfigcommandto
determinewhichIPaddresseseachhostonlynetworkisusing.
AssignIPaddressesbydoingoneofthefollowing:
Ifyouarerunningtherouteronthehostcomputer,assigndefaultrouter
addressesbasedontheaddressesofthehostonlyadaptersonthehost
computer.
Inthefirstvirtualmachinesnetworkingconfiguration,thedefaultrouter
addressshouldbetheIPaddressforthehostonlyadapterconnectedto
VMnet1.Inthesecondvirtualmachinesnetworkingconfiguration,the
defaultrouteraddressshouldbetheIPaddressforthehostonlyadapter
connectedtoVMnet2.
Ifyouarerunningtheroutersoftwareinathirdvirtualmachine,setthe
defaultrouteraddressesinthefirsttwovirtualmachinesbasedonthe
addressesthatthethirdvirtualmachineuses.
Inthefirstvirtualmachinesnetworkingconfiguration,thedefaultrouter
addressshouldbetheIPaddressforthethirdvirtualmachinesnetwork
adapterconnectedtoVMnet1.Inthesecondvirtualmachinesnetworking
configuration,thedefaultrouteraddressshouldbetheIPaddressforthethird
virtualmachinesnetworkadapterconnectedtoVMnet2.
Youcannowpingtheroutermachinefromvirtualmachines1and2.Iftherouter
softwareissetupcorrectly,youcancommunicatebetweenthefirstandsecond
virtualmachines.
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Using Virtual Network Adapters in Promiscuous Mode on

a Linux Host
Workstationdoesnotallowthevirtualnetworkadaptertogointopromiscuousmode
unlesstheuserrunningWorkstationhaspermissiontomakethatsetting.This
restrictionfollowsthestandardLinuxpracticethatonlytherootusercanputanetwork
interfaceintopromiscuousmode.
WhenyouinstallandconfigureWorkstation,youmustruntheinstallationastheroot
user.Workstationcreatesthevmnetdeviceswithrootownershipandrootgroup
ownership,whichmeansthatonlytherootuserhasreadandwritepermissionstothe
devices.
Tosetthevirtualmachinesnetworkadaptertopromiscuousmode,youmustlaunch
Workstationastherootuserbecauseyoumusthavereadandwriteaccesstothevmnet
device.Forexample,ifyouareusingbridgednetworking,youmusthaveaccessto
/dev/vmnet0.
Tograntselectedotherusersreadandwriteaccesstothevmnetdevice,youcancreate
anewgroup,addtheappropriateuserstothegroup,andgrantthatgroupreadand
writeaccesstotheappropriatedevice.Youmustmakethesechangesonthehost
operatingsystemastherootuser(su -).Forexample,youcanenterthefollowing
commands:
chgrp <newgroup> /dev/vmnet0
chmod g+rw /dev/vmnet0
Here<newgroup>isthegroupthatshouldbeabletosetvmnet0topromiscuousmode.
Foralluserstobeabletosetthevirtualnetworkadapter(/dev/vmnet0intheexample)
topromiscuousmode,runthefollowingcommandonthehostoperatingsystemasthe
rootuser:
chmod a+rw /dev/vmnet0
Using NAT
NATprovidesawayforvirtualmachinestousemostclientapplicationsoveralmost
anytypeofnetworkconnectionavailabletothehost.Theonlyrequirementisthatthe
networkconnectionmustsupportTCP/IP.
NATisusefulwhenyouhavealimitedsupplyofIPaddressesorareconnectedtothe
networkthroughanonEthernetnetworkadapter.NATworksbytranslatingaddresses
ofvirtualmachinesinaprivateVMnetnetworktotheaddressofthehostmachine.
Whenavirtualmachinesendsarequesttoaccessanetworkresource,itappearstothe
networkresourceasiftherequestiscomingfromthehostmachine.
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ThehostcomputerhasahostvirtualadapterontheNATnetworkidenticaltothehost
virtualadapteronthehostonlynetwork.Thisadapterallowsthehostandthevirtual
machinestocommunicatewitheachotherforsuchpurposesasfilesharing.TheNAT
deviceneverforwardstrafficfromthehostvirtualadapter.
How the NAT Device Uses the VMnet8 Virtual Switch

TheNATdeviceisconnectedtotheVMnet8virtualswitch.Virtualmachinesconnected
totheNATnetworkalsousetheVMnet8virtualswitch.
TheNATdevicewaitsforpacketscomingfromvirtualmachinesontheVMnet8virtual
network.Whenapacketarrives,theNATdevicetranslatestheaddressofthevirtual
machinetotheaddressofthehostbeforeforwardingthepackettotheexternal
network.Whendataarrivesfromtheexternalnetworkforthevirtualmachineonthe
privatenetwork,theNATdevicereceivesthedata,replacesthenetworkaddresswith
theaddressofthevirtualmachineandforwardsthedatatothevirtualmachineonthe
virtualnetwork.Thistranslationoccursautomaticallyandrequiresminimal
configurationontheguestandthehost.
DHCP on the NAT Network

Tomakenetworkingconfigurationeasy,aDHCPserverisinstalledwhenyouinstall
Workstation.VirtualmachinesrunningonthenetworkwiththeNATdevicecansend
outDHCPrequeststodynamicallyobtaintheirIPaddresses.
TheDHCPserverontheNATnetwork,whichisalsousedinhostonlynetworking
configurations,dynamicallyallocatesIPaddressesintherangeof<net>.128through
<net>.254,where<net>isthenetworknumberassignedtoyourNATnetwork.
WorkstationalwaysusesaClassCaddressforNATnetworks.IPaddresses<net>.3
through<net>.127canbeusedforstaticIPaddresses.IPaddress<net>.1isreserved
forthehostadapterand<net>.2isreservedfortheNATdevice.Formoreinformation,
seeDHCPConventionsforAssigningIPAddressesonpage 305.
InadditiontotheIPaddress,theDHCPserverontheNATnetworksendsout
configurationinformationthatenablesthevirtualmachinetooperate.Thisinformation
includesthedefaultgatewayandtheDNSserver.IntheDHCPresponse,theNAT
deviceinstructsthevirtualmachinetousetheIPaddress<net>.2asthedefault
gatewayandDNSserver.ThisroutingcausesallIPpacketsdestinedfortheexternal
networkandDNSrequeststobeforwardedtotheNATdevice.
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DNS on the NAT Network

TheNATdeviceactsasaDNSserverforthevirtualmachinesontheNATnetwork.
The NATdeviceisaDNSproxyandforwardsDNSrequestsfromthevirtualmachines
toaDNSserverthatthehostknows.ResponsesreturntotheNATdevice,whichthen
forwardsthemtothevirtualmachines.
IftheygettheirconfigurationinformationfromDHCP,thevirtualmachinesonthe
NATnetworkautomaticallyusetheNATdeviceastheDNSserver.However,the
virtualmachinescanbestaticallyconfiguredtouseanotherDNSserver.
ThevirtualmachinesintheprivateNATnetworkarenotaccessiblethroughDNS.To
havethevirtualmachinesrunningontheNATnetworkaccesseachotherbyDNS
names,youmustsetupaprivateDNSserverconnectedtotheNATnetwork.
External Access from the NAT Network

AvirtualmachineontheNATnetworkcanuseanyprotocolusingTCPorUDPaslong
asthevirtualmachineinitiatesthenetworkconnection.Thisistrueformostclient
applicationssuchasWebbrowsing,Telnet,passivemodeFTP,anddownloading
streamingvideo.AdditionalprotocolsupportisbuiltintotheNATdevicetoallowFTP
andICMPecho(ping)toworktransparentlythroughtheNAT.
Ontheexternalnetworktowhichthehostisconnected,anyvirtualmachineonthe
NATnetworkappearstobethehostitself,becauseitsnetworktrafficusesthehosts
IP address.ThevirtualmachinecansendandreceivedatausingTCP/IPtoanymachine
thatisaccessiblefromthehost.
Beforeanycommunicationcanoccur,theNATdevicemustsetupamapbetweenthe
virtualmachinesaddressontheprivateNATnetworkandthehostsnetworkaddress
ontheexternalnetwork.
Whenavirtualmachineinitiatesanetworkconnectionwithanothernetworkresource,
thismapiscreatedautomatically.Theoperationistransparenttotheuserofthevirtual
machineontheNATnetwork.Noadditionalworkneedstobedone.
NetworkconnectionsthatareinitiatedfromoutsidetheNATnetworktoavirtual
machineontheNATnetworkarenottransparent.Whenamachineontheexternal
networkattemptstoinitiateaconnectionwithavirtualmachineontheNATnetwork,
itcannotreachthevirtualmachinebecausetheNATdevicedoesnotforwardthe
request.
However,youcanconfigureportforwardingmanuallyontheNATdevicesothat
networktrafficdestinedforacertainportcanstillbeforwardedautomaticallytoa
virtualmachineontheNATnetwork.SeeAdvancedNATConfigurationonpage 319.
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FilesharingofthetypeusedbyWindowsoperatingsystemsandSambaispossible
amongcomputersontheNATnetwork,includingvirtualmachinesandthehost
computer.IfyouareusingWINSserversonyournetwork,avirtualmachineusing
NATnetworkingcanaccesssharedfilesandfoldersonthehostthattheWINSserver
knowsifthosesharedfilesandfoldersareinthesameworkgroupordomain.
Advanced NAT Configuration

YoucanconfigureNATtomakecustomconfigurationsettingsforWindowsandLinux.
Configure NAT on a Windows Host

UsethevirtualnetworksettingstoconfigureNATonaWindowshost.ToedittheNAT
configurationfile,seeCustomNATandDHCPConfigurationonaWindowsHoston
page 319.
To configure NAT on a Windows host
1
UsethecontrolsintheNATSettingsmenutoconfigureNAT:
TostopandstartthevirtualNATdevice,clicktheappropriatebuttons.
ToeditNATsettingsforavirtualnetwork,choosetheVMnetnetworkfrom
thedropdownmenuandclickEdit.
ClickDNSSettingstosetuporchangeportforwardingortospecifyDNSservers
thatthevirtualNATdeviceshoulduse.
ClickOK.
Custom NAT and DHCP Configuration on a Windows Host

IfyouareanadvanceduseronaWindowshostcomputer,youcanedittheNATand
DHCPconfigurationfilestomakecustomconfigurationsettings.Ifyourhostoperating
systemisinstalledontheCdrive,theconfigurationfilesforNATandDHCPareinthe
followinglocations:
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Table 15-3. NAT and DHCP File Locations

File Type
Location
NAT
OnWindowsXP:C:\Documents and Settings\All

Users\Application Data\VMware\vmnetnat.conf
C:\ProgramData\VMware\vmnetnat.conf
Formoreinformationaboutthisfile,seeContentsoftheNAT
ConfigurationFileonpage 321.
DHCP
OnWindowsXP:C:\Documents and Settings\All

Users\Application Data\VMware\vmnetdhcp.conf
C:\ProgramData\VMware\\vmnetdhcp.conf
Usethevirtualnetworkeditor(Edit>VirtualNetworkEditor)tochangemanykey
NATandDCHPsettings.
Ifyoumakemanualchangestotheconfigurationfiles,thosechangesmightbelost
whenyouusethevirtualnetworkeditor.Makebackupcopiesofthefilesbeforeyou
changeanysettingsinthevirtualnetworkeditor.Youcanthencopyyourmanual
changesbackintotheappropriateconfigurationfiles.
Specifying Connections from Ports Below 1024

WhenaclientmachinemakesaTCPorUDPconnectiontoaserver,theconnection
comesfromaparticularportontheclient(thesourceport)andconnectstoaparticular
portontheserver(thedestinationport).Forsecurityreasons,someserversaccept
connectionsonlyfromsourceportsbelow1024.Youmightseethisconfigurationon
machinesusedasNFSfileservers,forexample.
IfavirtualmachineusingNATattemptstoconnecttoaserverthatrequirestheclient
touseasourceportbelow1024,theNATdevicemustforwardtherequestfromaport
below1024.Youcanspecifythisbehaviorinthevmnetnat.conffile.
Thisbehavioriscontrolledbyentriesinsectionsheaded[privilegedUDP]and
[privilegedTCP].Youmightneedtoaddsettingstoormodifysettingsineitheror
bothofthesesections,dependingonthekindofconnectionyouneedtomake.
Youcansettwoparameters,eachofwhichappearsonaseparateline.
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Table 15-4. Parameters to Map Virtual Machine Source and Destination Ports
Parameter
Description
autodetect = <n>
TheautodetectsettingdetermineswhethertheVMwareNATdevice
automaticallyattemptstomapvirtualmachinesourceportsbelow
1024toNATsourceportsbelow1024.Asettingof1meanstrue.A
settingof0meansfalse.OnaWindowshost,thedefaultis1(true).
OnaLinuxhost,thedefaultis0(false).
port = <n>
Theportsettingspecifiesadestinationport(where<n>istheporton
theserverthatacceptstheconnectionfromtheclient).Whenevera
virtualmachineconnectstothespecifiedportonanyserver,theNAT
deviceattemptstomaketheconnectionfromasourceportbelow
1024.Youcanincludeoneormoreportsettingsinthe
[privilegedUDP]or[privilegedTCP]sectionorinbothsections,
asrequiredfortheconnectionsyouneedtomake.Entereachport
settingonaseparateline.
Configuring NAT on a Linux Host

UsethedefaultNATconfigurationfileonthehosttoconfiguretheNATdevice.
This fileislocatedin/etc/vmware/vmnet8/nat/nat.conf.
ForanexampleofaNATconfigurationfile,seeSampleLinuxnat.confFileon
page 327.
Contents of the NAT Configuration File

TheNATconfigurationfileisinthefollowinglocations:
OnaWindowshost:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\vmnetnat.conf
Ifyoueditthisfileandthenusethevirtualnetworkeditor(Edit>VirtualNetwork
Editor)youreditsmightbelost.
OnaLinuxhost:
/etc/vmware/vmnet8/nat/nat.conf
TheNATconfigurationfileisdividedintosections.Eachsectionconfiguresapartofthe
NATdevice.Textsurroundedbysquarebrackets,suchas[dns],marksthebeginning
ofasection.Ineachsectionisaconfigurationparameterthatcanbeset.
The configurationparameterstaketheformip = 192.168.27.1/24.TheNAT
configurationfilecontainsthefollowingsections.
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The [host] Section

The[host]sectionincludesparameterstoconfiguretheNATconnection.
ipTheIPaddressthattheNATdeviceshoulduse.Itcanbefollowedbyaslash
andthenumberofbitsinthesubnet.
netmaskThesubnetmasktousefortheNATnetwork.DHCPaddressesare
allocatedfromthisrangeofaddresses.
configportAportthatcanbeusedtoaccessstatusinformationabouttheNAT
device.
deviceTheVMnetdevicetouse.Windowsdevicesareoftheformvmnet<x>
where<x>isthenumberoftheVMnet.Linuxdevicesareoftheform
/dev/vmnet<x>.
activeFTPFlagtoindicateifactiveFTPistobeallowed.ActiveFTPallows
incomingconnectionstobeopenedbytheremoteFTPserver.Turningthisoff
meansthatonlypassivemodeFTPworks.Setthisflagto0toturnitoff.
The [udp] Section

timeoutNumberofsecondstokeeptheUDPmappingfortheNATnetwork.
The [dns] Section
The[dns]sectionisforWindowshostsonly.Linuxdoesnotusethissection.
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policyPolicytouseforDNSforwarding.Acceptedvaluesinclude:
orderSendoneDNSrequestatatimeintheorderofthenameservers.
rotateSendoneDNSrequestatatimeandrotatethroughtheDNSservers.
burstSendtothreeserversandwaitforthefirstonetorespond.
timeoutTimeinsecondsbeforeretryingaDNSrequest.
retriesNumberofretriesbeforetheNATdevicestopstryingtorespondtoa
DNSrequest.
autodetectFlagtoindicatewhethertheNATdeviceshoulddetecttheDNS
serversavailabletothehost.
nameserver1IPaddressofaDNSservertouse.
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Ifautodetectisonandsomenameserversarespecified,theDNSserversspecified
innameserver1,nameserver2,andnameserver3areaddedbeforethelistof
detectedDNSservers.
The [netbios] Section

The[netbios]sectionappliestoWindowshostsonly.Linuxdoesnotusethissection.
nbnsTimeout = 2Timeout,inseconds,forNBNSqueries.
nbnsRetries = 3NumberofretriesforeachNBNSquery.
nbdsTimeout = 3Timeout,inseconds,forNBDSqueries.
The [incomingtcp] Section

Usethe[incomingtcp]sectiontoconfigureTCPportforwardingforNAT.Inthis
section,youcanassignaportnumbertoanIPaddressandportnumberonavirtual
machine.
Thefollowinglineshowstheformatusedinthissection:
8887 = 192.168.27.128:21
Thisexamplecreatesamapfromport8887onthehosttotheIPaddress192.168.27.128
andport21.Whenthismapissetandanexternalmachineconnectstothehostatport
8887,thenetworkpacketsareforwardedtoport21(thestandardportforFTP)onthe
virtualmachinewithIPaddress192.168.27.128.
The [incomingudp] Section
Usethe[incomingudp]sectiontoconfigureUDPportforwardingforNAT.Inthis
section,youcanassignaportnumbertoanIPaddressandportnumberonavirtual
machine.
Thefollowinglineshowstheformatusedinthissection.Itillustratesawaytoforward
Xservertrafficfromthehostport6000tothevirtualmachinesport6001:
6000 = 192.168.27.128:6001
Thisexamplecreatesamapfromport6000onthehosttotheIPaddress192.168.27.128
andport6001.Whenthismapissetandanexternalmachineconnectstothehostatport
6000,thenetworkpacketsareforwardedtoport6001onthevirtualmachinewith
IP address192.168.27.128.
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Considerations for Using NAT

ConsiderthefollowingitemswhenyouuseNAT:
NATcausessomeperformanceloss.
BecauseNATrequiresthateverypacketsenttoandreceivedfromavirtual
machinemustbeintheNATnetwork,anunavoidableperformancepenalty
occurs.
NATisnotperfectlytransparent.
NATdoesnotusuallyallowconnectionstobeinitiatedfromoutsidethenetwork,
althoughyoucanmanuallyconfiguretheNATdevicetosetupserverconnections.
ThepracticalresultisthatsomeTCPandUDPprotocolsthatrequireaconnection
beinitiatedfromtheservermachine,somepeertopeerapplications,forexample,
donotworkautomatically,andsomemightnotworkatall.
NATprovidessomefirewallprotection.
AstandardNATconfigurationprovidesbasiclevelfirewallprotectionbecausethe
NATdevicecaninitiateconnectionsfromtheprivateNATnetwork,butdeviceson
theexternalnetworkusuallycannotinitiateconnectionstotheprivateNAT
network.
Using NAT with NetLogon

WhenyouuseNATnetworkinginavirtualmachinewithaWindowsguestoperating
systemrunningonaWindowshost,youcanuseNetLogontologintoaWindows
domainfromthevirtualmachine.YoucanthenaccessfilesharesthattheWINSserver
knows.
TouseNetLogon,youneedtoknowhowWINSserversandWindowsdomain
controllerswork.Thissectionexplainshowtosetupthevirtualmachinetouse
NetLogon.Thesetupprocessissimilartothewayyousetupaphysicalcomputeron
oneLANthatisusingadomaincontrolleronanotherLAN.
TologintoaWindowsdomainoutsidethevirtualNATnetwork,thevirtualmachine
needsaccesstoaWINSserverforthatdomain.Youcanconnectthevirtualmachineto
aWINSserverinthefollowingways:
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ConnecttotheWINSserverthattheDHCPserverusedontheNATnetwork
provides,iftheWINSserverisalreadysetuponthehost.
ManuallyentertheIPaddressoftheWINSservertoconnectfromthevirtual
machinetoaWINSservernotsetuponthehost.
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Use NAT to Connect to an Existing WINS Server Set Up on the Host

TouseNATtoconnect,aWINSserverinthesameworkgroupordomainmustbeset
uponthehost.ThisprocedureappliestotheWindows 2000,XP,2003Server,NT,Me,
and9xguestversions.
DifferencesforWindowsVistaandWindows7,arenotedinthespecificsteps.
To use NAT to connect to an existing WINS server set up on the host
1
Inthevirtualmachine,rightclickMyNetworkPlacesandchooseProperties.
ForWindowsVista,opentheNetworkandSharingCenterandclicktheView
Statuslinkfortheconnectionthatusestheneededvirtualnetworkadapter.
ForWindows7,opentheNetworkandSharingCenterandclickoneofthe
LocalAreaConnectionlinksfortheconnectionthatusestheneededvirtual
networkadapter.
IntheNetworkConnectionswindow,rightclickthevirtualnetworkadapterand
chooseProperties.
ForWindowsVista,intheLocalAreaConnectionStatuswindow,click
PropertiesandclickContinuewhenpromptedforpermission.
ForWindows7,intheLocalAreaConnectionStatuswindow,clickProperties.
InthePropertiesdialogbox,selectInternetProtocol(TCP/IPv4)andclick
Properties.
IntheTCP/IPPropertiesdialogbox,clickAdvanced.
OntheWINStab,underNetBIOSsetting,selectDefault:UseNetBIOSsetting
fromDHCPServer.
ClickOKtwiceandclickClose.
Enter the IP Address of a WINS Server Manually

UsetheIPaddresstoconnecttoaWINSserverinthesameworkgroupordomainthat
isnotalreadysetuponthehost.
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To enter the IP address of a WINS server manually

1
Inthevirtualmachine,rightclickMyNetworkPlacesandchooseProperties.
ForWindowsVista,opentheNetworkandSharingCenterandclicktheView
Statuslinkfortheconnectionthatusestheneededvirtualnetworkadapter.
ForWindows7,opentheNetworkandSharingCenterandclickoneofthe
LocalAreaConnectionlinkfortheconnectionthatusestheneededvirtual
networkadapter.
IntheNetworkConnectionswindow,rightclickthevirtualnetworkadapterand
chooseProperties.
ForWindowsVista,intheLocalAreaConnectionStatuswindow,click
PropertiesandclickContinuewhenpromptedforpermission.
ForWindows7,intheLocalAreaConnectionStatuswindow,clickProperties.
InthePropertiesdialogbox,selectInternetProtocol(TCP/IPv4)andclick
Properties.
IntheTCP/IPPropertiesdialogbox,clickAdvanced.
OntheWINStab,clickAdd.
IntheTCP/IPWINSServerdialogbox,entertheIPaddressfortheWINSserverin
theWINSserverfieldandclickAdd.
TheIPaddressoftheWINSserverappearsintheWINSaddresseslistontheWINS
tab.
RepeatStep 5andStep 6foreachWINSservertowhichyouwanttoconnectfrom

thisvirtualmachine.
ClickOKtwiceandclickClose.
NowthatthevirtualmachinehasanIPaddressforaWINSserver,youcanuse
NetLogoninthevirtualmachinetologintoadomainandaccesssharesinthat
domain.However,youraccessislimitedtosharesofvirtualmachinesthatareon
thesameNATnetworkorarebridgedonthesamedomain.
Forexample,iftheWINSservercoversadomainwithadomaincontroller,youcan
accessthatdomaincontrollerfromthevirtualmachineandaddthevirtual
machinetothedomain.YouneedtoknowtheAdministratoruserIDand
passwordforthedomaincontroller.
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Sample Linux nat.conf File

# Linux NAT configuration file
[host]
# NAT gateway address
ip = 192.168.237.2/24
hostMAC = 00:50:56:C0:00:08
# enable configuration; disabled by default for security reasons
#configport = 33445
# vmnet device if not specified on command line
device = vmnet8
# Allow PORT/EPRT FTP commands (they need incoming TCP stream...)
activeFTP = 1
# Allows the source to have any OUI. Turn this one if you change the OUI
# in the MAC address of your virtual machines.
#allowAnyOUI = 1
[udp]
# Timeout in seconds, 0 = no timeout, default = 60; real value might
# be up to 100% longer
timeout = 30
[dns]
# This section applies only to Windows.
#
# Policy to use for DNS forwarding. Accepted values include order,
# rotate, burst.
#
# order: send one DNS request at a time in order of the name servers
# rotate: send one DNS request at a time, rotate through the DNS servers
# burst: send to three servers and wait for the first one to respond
policy = order;
# Timeout in seconds before retrying DNS request.
timeout = 2
# Retries before giving up on DNS request
retries = 3
# Automatically detect the DNS servers (not supported in Windows NT)
autodetect = 1
# List of DNS servers to use. Up to three may be specified
#nameserver1 = 208.23.14.2
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#nameserver2 = 63.93.12.3
#nameserver3 = 208.23.14.4
[netbios]
# This section applies only to Windows.
# Timeout for NBNS queries.
nbnsTimeout = 2
# Number of retries for each NBNS query.
nbnsRetries = 3
# Timeout for NBDS queries.
nbdsTimeout = 3
[incomingtcp]
# Use these with care - anyone can enter into your virtual machine through
# these...
# FTP (both active and passive FTP is always enabled)
#
ftp localhost 8887
#8887 = 192.168.27.128:21
# WEB (make sure that if you are using named webhosting, names point to
#
your host, not to guest... And if you are forwarding port other
#
than 80 make sure that your server copes with mismatched port
#
number in Host: header)
#
lynx http://localhost:8888
#8888 = 192.168.27.128:80
# SSH
#
ssh -p 8889 root@localhost
#8889 = 192.168.27.128:22
[incomingudp]
# UDP port forwarding example
#6000 = 192.168.27.128:6001
Using Samba with Workstation

IfyouhaveSambaonyourLinuxhost,youcanconfigureSambasothatitworkswith
Workstation.
ModifyyourSambaconfigurationsothatitincludestheIPsubnetthatthevmnet1
Workstationvirtualnetworkadapteruses.Todeterminewhichsubnetvmnet1isusing,
runthefollowingcommand:
/sbin/ifconfig vmnet1
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MakesuretheSambapasswordfileincludesentriesforallusersofthevirtualmachine
whowillaccessthehostsfilesystem.TheusernamesandpasswordsintheSamba
passwordfilemustmatchthoseusedforloggingontotheguestoperatingsystem.
Add Users to the Samba Password File

YoucanaddusernamesandpasswordstotheSambapasswordfileatanytimefroma
terminalwindowonyourLinuxhostcomputer.
To add users to the Samba password file
1
Logintotherootaccount:
su
RuntheSambapasswordcommand:
smbpasswd -a <username>
Here<username>istheusernametoadd.
3
Followtheinstructionsonthescreen.
exit
Using a Samba Server for Bridged and Host-Only Networks

TouseyourSambaserverforhostonlyandbridgednetworking,youmustmodifyone
parameterinthesmb.conffile.Youcandefinetheinterfaceparametersothatyour
Sambaserverservesmultipleinterfaces.Anexampleofthisisthefollowing:
interface = eth0 vmnet1
ThisexampletellstheSambaservertomonitoranduseboththeeth0andvmnet1
interfaces,whicharetheinterfacesthatbridgedandhostonlynetworkinguse,
respectively.
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Use Samba Without Network Access

TomakeSambainaccessiblefromyourphysicalnetworkinterface,youmustconfigure
theconfigurationfile.
To use Samba without network access
1
Opentheconfigurationfile:
/etc/samba/smb.conf
Addthefollowinglinetotheconfigurationfileandsavethechanges.
interfaces = vmnet*
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RestartSamba.
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16
Connecting Devices
16
Thischapterdescribeshowtousevariousdeviceswithavirtualmachine.
UsingParallelPortsonpage 331
UsingSerialPortsonpage 335
ConfiguringKeyboardFeaturesonpage 339
UsingUSBDevicesinaVirtualMachineonpage 351
UseSmartCardswithVirtualMachinesonpage 358
SupportforGenericSCSIDevicesonpage 361
UseFourWayVirtualSymmetricMultiprocessingonpage 366
Using Parallel Ports

Parallelportsareusedbyavarietyofdevices,includingprinters,scanners,dongles,
anddiskdrives.Althoughthesedevicescanconnecttothehostwithoutproblems,only
printerscanreliablyconnecttovirtualmachinesbyusingparallelports.
Currently,WorkstationprovidesonlypartialemulationofPS/2hardware.Interrupts
thatadeviceconnectedtothephysicalportrequestsarenotpassedtothevirtual
machine.TheguestoperatingsystemcannotuseDMA(directmemoryaccess)tomove
datatoorfromtheport.Forthisreason,notalldevicesthatattachtotheparallelport
areguaranteedtoworkcorrectly.Donotuseparallelportstoragedevicesinavirtual
machine.
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Add a Virtual Parallel Port to a Virtual Machine

Ifthevirtualmachineisconfiguredwithaparallelport,mostguestoperatingsystems
detecttheportatinstallationtimeandinstalltherequireddrivers.Someoperating
systems,includingLinux,WindowsNT,andWindows2000,automaticallydetectthe
portsatboottime.Others,likeWindows95andWindows98,donot.
To add a virtual parallel port to a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
IntheNewHardwarewizard,selectParallelPortandclickNext.
Specifywhichoptiontousefortheparallelport:
IfyouselectUsephysicalparallelport,clickNextandchoosetheportfrom
thedropdownmenu.
IfyouselectOutputfile,clickNextandenterthepathandfilenameorbrowse
tothelocationofthefile.
UnderDevicestatus,ifyoudonotwanttheparallelporttoconnectatpoweron,
deselectthecheckbox.
ClickFinish.
IftheguestoperatingsystemisWindows95orWindows98,runtheguest
operatingsystemsAddNewHardwarewizardtoletWindowsdetectthenew
device.
Todisplaythiswizard,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel>AddNew
Hardware.
Troubleshoot ECR Errors for Parallel Ports

Whenyoupoweronthevirtualmachineafteraddingaparallelport,youmightseean
errormessagestatingthattheparallelportonthehostdoesnothaveanExtended
ControlRegister(ECR).If so,itispossiblethehardwaresupportsECRbutithasbeen
disabledintheBIOS.
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Chapter 16 Connecting Devices
To troubleshoot ECR errors for parallel ports

1
Rebootthehost.
Earlyinthebootprocess,pressandholddowntheDeletekeytoenterthehost
computersBIOSconfigurationeditor.
FindtheparallelportfieldandenableExtendedCapabilityPort(ECP)modeora
combinationofmodesthatincludesECP.
MostmoderncomputerssupportECPmode.
Configuring a Parallel Port on a Linux Host

Foraparallelporttoworkproperlyinaguest,itmustfirstbeconfiguredproperlyon
thehost.Mostproblemswithparallelportsarecausedbymistakesinthehost
configuration.
Linuxkernelsinthe2.6.xseriesuseaspecialarbitratorforaccesstotheparallelport
hardware.Ifthehostisusingtheparallelport,thevirtualmachinecannotuseit.Ifa
virtualmachineisusingtheparallelport,thehostandanyusersaccessingthehostare
deniedaccesstothedevice.YoumustusetheVM>RemovableDevicesmenuto
disconnecttheparallelportfromthevirtualmachinetoaccessthedevicefromthehost.
Configure Parallel Ports for Linux 2.6.x Kernels

The2.6.xkernelsthatsupportparallelportsusethemodprobe <modulename>and
modprobe parport_pcmodules.WorkstationrequiresthattheparallelportPCstyle
hardwareoption(CONFIG_PARPORT_PC)bebuiltandloadedasakernelmodule.
Thatis,itmustbesettom.
To configure parallel ports for Linux 2.6.x kernels
1
Todeterminewhetherthemodprobe <modulename>and modprobe parport_pc

modulesareinstalledandloadedonyoursystem,runthelsmodcommandasthe
rootuser.
Youcanalsolookatthe/proc/modulesfileforthelist.
With2.6.x,loadingparport_pcdoesnotloadallmodules.
Ifnoneofthelistedparallelportmodulesisloaded,usethefollowingcommand:
modprobe parport_pc && modprobe ppdev
Thiscommandinsertsthemodulesneededforaparallelport.
Ifproblemspersist,thelpmodulemightbeloaded.Ifitis,thevirtualmachine
cannotusetheparallelportcorrectly.
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Ifthelpmoduleisloaded,runthefollowingcommandasroottoremoveit:
rmmod lp
Toverifythatthelinereferringtothelpmoduleinthe/etc/modules.confor
/etc/conf.modulesfileisremovedorcommentedout,insertapoundsign(#)at
thebeginningoftheline.
ThenameoftheconfigurationfiledependsontheLinuxdistributionyouare
using.Whenyourebootthehostafterremovingthisline,theconfigurationfileno
longerstartsthelpmodule.
Toensurethatthepropermodulesfortheparallelportareloadedatboottime,add
thefollowinglinetothe/etc/modules.confor/etc/conf.modulesfile:
alias parport_lowlevel parport_pc
Configure Device Permissions for Parallel Ports

SomeLinuxdistributionsbydefaultdonotgrantthevirtualmachineaccesstothelp
andparportdevices.YoumustaddtheVMwareusertothegroupthathaspermission
toaccessthesedevices.
To configure device permissions for parallel ports
1
Runthefollowingcommandtodeterminetheownerandgroupforthedevice:
ls la /dev/parport0
Thethirdandfourthcolumnsoftheoutputshowtheownerandgroup,
respectively.Inmostcases,theownerofthedeviceisrootandtheassociated
groupislp.
2
Toaddtheusertothedevicegroup,becometherootuserandopenthe
/etc/groupfilewithatexteditor.
Onthelinestartingwithlp,whichdefinesthelpgroup,addtheWorkstation
usersusername.
Thefollowinglineprovidesanexampleforauserwhoseusernameisuserj.
lp::7:daemon,lp,userj
Thenexttimetheuserlogsontothehost,thechangestakeeffect.
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Using Serial Ports

AWorkstationvirtualmachinecanuseuptofourvirtualserialports.Thevirtualserial
portscanbeconfiguredinseveralways:
Connectavirtualserialporttoaphysicalserialportonthehostcomputer.
Connectavirtualserialporttoafileonthehostcomputer.
Makeadirectconnectionbetweentwovirtualmachinesorbetweenavirtual
machineandanapplicationrunningonthehostcomputer.
Foreachofthesechoices,youcanalsoselectwhethertoconnectthevirtualserialport
whenyoupoweronthevirtualmachine.
NOTEThevirtualprinterfeatureautomaticallyconfiguresaserialporttomakehost
printersavailabletotheguestwithoutinstallingadditionaldriversinthevirtual
machine.SeeUseHostPrintersinaVirtualMachineonpage 180.
Add a Virtual Serial Port to a Virtual Machine

Usevirtualserialportstomakedevicessuchasmodemsandprintersavailableto
virtualmachinesortosenddebuggingdatafromavirtualmachinetothehostorto
anothervirtualmachine.
Youcanusevirtualserialportstosenddatatothefollowing:
PhysicalserialportEnablesyoutouseadevicesuchasanexternalmodemor
handhelddeviceinavirtualmachine.Workstationcreatesavirtualserialport
automaticallywhenyouenablethevirtualprinterfeature.
OutputfileonthehostCapturesthedatathataprogramrunninginthevirtual
machinesendstothevirtualserialport.
AnapplicationonthehostEnablesyoutouseanapplicationonthehostto
capturedebugginginformationsentfromthevirtualmachinesserialport.
AnothervirtualmachineEnablesyoutouseanapplicationinonevirtual
machine(theclient)tocapturedebugginginformationsentfromtheother
(the server)virtualmachinesserialport.
To add a virtual serial port to a virtual machine

1
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ChooseVM>Settings.
IntheAddHardwarewizard,selectSerialPortandclickNext.
OntheSerialPortTypepage,dooneofthefollowing:
Forphysicaldevicessuchasmodems,selectUsephysicalserialportonthe
host,clickNext,andchoosetheportonthehostcomputerthatyouwantto
useforthisserialconnection.
Tocapturedatafromanapplicationinanoutputfile,selectOutputfile,click
Next,andenterthepathandfilenameorbrowsetothelocationofthefileon
thehost.
Toconnecttoadebuggingapplicationonthehostorinanothervirtual
machine,selectOutputtoNamedPipeandclickNext.
IfyouselectedOutputtoNamedPipe,dooneofthefollowing:
ForaWindowshost,ontheSpecifyNamedPipepage,specifythepipename.
Thepipenamemustfollowtheform\\.\pipe\<namedpipe>.Thatis,itmust
beginwith\\.\pipe\.
ForaLinuxhost,inthePathfield,enter/tmp/<socket>oranotherUNIX
socketname.
AlsoifyouselectedOutputtoNamedPipe,dooneofthefollowing:
Tosenddebugginginformationtoanapplicationonthehost:
i
Inthefirstdropdownmenu,selectThisendistheserverorThisendis
theclient.
SelectThisendistheservertostartthisendoftheconnectionfirst.
ii
Intheseconddropdownmenu,selectTheotherendisanapplication.
Tosenddebugginginformationtoanothervirtualmachine:
i
Inthefirstdropdownmenu,selectThisendistheserver.
ii
Intheseconddropdownmenu,selectTheotherendisavirtual
machine.
MakesuretheConnectatpoweroncheckboxisselectedifdesired.
10 ClickFinish.
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11
(Optional)OntheHardwaretabofthevirtualmachinesettingseditor,toconfigure
thisserialporttousepolledmode,selectYieldCPUonpoll.
Thisoptionisofinteresttodeveloperswhoareusingdebuggingtoolsthat
communicateoveraserialconnection.Iftheserialportintheguestisbeingused
inpolledmoderatherthaninterruptmode,youmightnoticeperformanceissues.
Thisoptionforcesthevirtualmachinetoyieldprocessortimeiftheonlytaskitis
tryingtodoispollthevirtualserialport.
Ifyouaresettingupaconnectionbetweentwovirtualmachines,younowhavethefirst
virtualmachinesetupastheserver.Repeatthisprocedureforthesecondvirtual
machine,butsetitupastheclientbyselectingThisendistheclientwhenconfiguring
thenamedpipe.
Change the Input Speed of the Serial Connection

Youcanincreasethespeedofaserialconnectionoverapipetoavirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,usetheguestoperatingsystemtoconfiguretheserialportforthe
highestsettingsupportedbytheapplicationyouarerunninginthevirtualmachine.
Inprinciple,theoutputspeed,whichisthespeedatwhichthevirtualmachinesends
datathroughthevirtualserialport,isunlimited.Inpractice,theoutputspeeddepends
onhowfasttheapplicationattheotherendofthepipereadsinbounddata.
To change the input speed of the serial connection
1
PoweroffthevirtualmachineandclosetheWorkstationwindow.
Useatexteditortoaddthefollowinglinetoyourvirtualmachinesconfiguration
(.vmx)file:
serial<n>.pipe.charTimePercent = "<x>"
<n>isthenumberoftheserialport,startingfrom0.Thefirstserialportisserial0.
The<x>valueisapositiveintegerthatspecifiesthetimetakentotransmita
character,expressedasapercentageofthedefaultspeedsetfortheserialportin
theguest.Forexample,asettingof200forcestheporttotaketwiceaslongforeach
character,orsenddataathalfthedefaultspeed.Asettingof50forcestheportto
takeonlyhalfaslongforeachcharacter,orsenddataattwicethedefaultspeed.
Assumingthattheserialportspeedissetappropriatelyintheguestoperating
system,experimentwiththissetting.Startwithavalueof100andgradually
decreaseituntilyoufindthehighestspeedatwhichyourconnectionworks
reliably.
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Debugging over a Virtual Serial Port

Usingvirtualmachines,youcandebugkernelcodeononesystemwithouttheneedfor
twophysicalcomputers,amodem,oraserialcable.YoucanuseDebuggingToolsfor
Windows(WinDbg)orKernelDebugger(KD)todebugkernelcodeinavirtualmachine
overavirtualserialport.
YoucanDownloadDebuggingToolsforWindowsfromtheWindowsHardware
DeveloperCentral(WHDC)Website.
Debug an Application in a Virtual Machine from a Windows Host

Inthisconfiguration,youhavekernelcodetodebuginavirtualmachine(calledthe
targetvirtualmachine)andarerunningDebuggingToolsforWindows(WinDbg)or
KernelDebugger(KD)onaWindowshost.
Beforeyoubegin,onthehost,makesureyouhavearecentversionofDebuggingTools
forWindows,whichsupportsdebuggingoverapipe.Youneedversion 5.0.18.0or
higher.
To debug an application in a virtual machine from a Windows host
1
PreparethetargetvirtualmachineasdescribedinAddaVirtualSerialPorttoa
MakesureyouselectThisendistheserverwhenconfiguringthenamedpipe.
ChooseVM>RemovableDevicesmenutomakesuretheserialportisconnected.
IfSerial<n>isnotreportedas\\.\pipe\<namedpipe>,choosethevirtualserial
portandclickConnect.
Onthehost,openacommandpromptwindowandenterthefollowingcommand:
<debugger> -k com:port=\\.\pipe\<namedpipe>,pipe
<debugger> is WinDbg or KD.
PressEntertostartdebugging.
Debug an Application in a Virtual Machine from Another Virtual Machine

ThisconfigurationisusefulifyouuseWorkstationonaLinuxhost.Inthissituation,
youhavekernelcodetodebuginthetargetvirtualmachineandarerunning
DebuggingToolsforWindows(WinDbg)orKernelDebugger(KD)inthedebugger
virtualmachineonthesamehost.
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Beforeyoubegin,downloadandinstallWinDbgorKDintheWindowsguestthatyou
plantouseasthedebuggervirtualmachine.
To debug an application from another virtual machine
1
PreparethevirtualmachinesasdescribedinAddaVirtualSerialPorttoaVirtual
Machineonpage 335.
Poweronbothvirtualmachines.
UsetheVM>RemovableDevicesmenutomakesuretheserialportisconnected.
Iftheserialportisnotconnected,choosethevirtualserialportandclickConnect.
Inthedebuggervirtualmachine,startdebuggingwithWinDbgorKD.
Configuring Keyboard Features

YoucanchangewhichkeycombinationsyouuseforhotkeysequencesinWorkstation
andwhichlanguagetouseforthekeyboardthatvirtualnetworkcomputing(VNC)
clientsuse.Inaddition,youcanconfigureplatformspecifickeyboardfeaturesfor
WindowsandLinuxhosts.
Use the Enhanced Virtual Keyboard for Windows Hosts

Theenhancedvirtualkeyboardfeatureprovidesbetterhandlingofinternational
keyboardsandkeyboardswithextrakeys.Italsoofferssecurityimprovementsbecause
itprocessesrawkeyboardinputassoonaspossible,bypassingWindowskeystroke
processingandanymalwarethatisnotalreadyatalowerlayer.
Ifyouusetheenhancedvirtualkeyboard,whenyoupressCtrl+Alt+Delete,theguest
systemonly,ratherthanbothguestandhost,actsonthecommand.
Beforeyoubegin,ifyoujustinstalledorupgradedtoWorkstation7.0andhavenotyet
restartedyourcomputer,doso.
To use the enhanced virtual keyboard for Windows hosts
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
ClicktheOptionstab,andselectGeneral.
Toenableordisablethesetting,selectordeselecttheUseenhancedvirtual
keyboardcheckboxandclickOK.
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Hot Keys for Virtual Machines

Hotkeysletyouspecifythekeycombinationthatisusedwithhotkeysequencesfor
virtualmachines.Forexample,youcanrequirethatallhotkeysequencesuse
Ctrl+Shift+Alt.
Configuringhotkeysisusefultopreventcertainkeycombinations(suchas
Ctrl+Alt+Del)frombeinginterceptedbyWorkstationinsteadofbeingsenttotheguest
operatingsystem.Usehotkeysequencesto:
Switchbetweenvirtualmachines
Enterandleavefullscreenmode
Release(ungrab)input
SendCtrl+Alt+Deltothevirtualmachineonly(nottothehostmachine)
Sendcommandstothevirtualmachineonly(nottothehostmachine)
Thedefaultsettingsforhotkeysarelistedinthepreferenceseditor(chooseEdit>
Preferences>HotKeys).Usethepreferenceseditortochangethem.
Use Ctrl+Alt in a Key Combination

BecauseCtrl+AlttellsWorkstationtorelease(ungrab)mouseandkeyboardinput,
combinationsthatincludeCtrl+Altarenotpassedtotheguestoperatingsystem.You
mustusetheSpacekeyifthekeycombinationincludesCtrl+Alt.
To use Ctrl+Alt in a key combination
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PressCtrl+Alt+spacebar.
ReleasethespacebarwithoutreleasingCtrlandAlt.
Pressthethirdkeyofthekeycombinationyouwanttosendtotheguest.
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Specify a Language Keyboard Map for VNC Clients

IfyousetavirtualmachinetoactasaVNCserver,youcanspecifywhichlanguageto
useforthekeyboardthatVNCclientsuse.Bydefault,theUS101keyboardmap(U.S.
English)isused.
Beforeyoubegin,setthevirtualmachinetoactasaVNCserver.SeeConfigurea
VirtualMachineasaVNCServeronpage 228.
Also,determinethelocationofthekeymapfiletouse.Defaultkeymapfilesare
includedintheWorkstationinstallationdirectory:
OnWindowsXPhosts,thisdirectoryisinC:\Documents and Settings\All

Users\Application Data\VMware\vnckeymap.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,thisdirectoryisin
C:\ProgramData\VMware\vnckeymap.
OnLinuxhosts,thisdirectoryisin/usr/lib/vmware/vnckeymap.
Ifthekeymapfileyouwanttouseisinanotherlocation,determinethepathtothefile.
Alsodeterminethelanguagecode.Usethefollowinglist:
de:German
de-ch:German(Switzerland)
es:Spanish
fi:Finnish
fr:French
fr-be:French(Belgium)
fr-ch:French(Switzerland)
is:Icelandic
it:Italian
jp:Japanese
nl-be:Dutch(Belgium)
no:Norwegian
pt:Polish
uk:UKEnglish
us:USEnglish
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To specify a language keyboard map for VNC clients

1
Useatexteditortoopentheconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)forthevirtualmachine
andaddthefollowinglines,where<port number>istheportnumbertouse:
RemoteDisplay.vnc.enabled = "TRUE"
RemoteDisplay.vnc.port = "<port number>"
Addoneofthefollowingpropertiestotheconfigurationfile,where<xx>isthe
codeforthelanguagetouse,suchasjpforJapanese:
TousethedefaultkeymapfileincludedintheWorkstationinstallation
directory,setthefollowingproperty:
RemoteDisplay.vnc.keyMap = "<xx>"
Touseakeyboardmapfileinanotherlocation,setthefollowingpropertyto
anabsolutefilepath:
RemoteDisplay.vnc.keyMapFile
YoucannowstartthevirtualmachineandconnecttoitfromaVNCclient.SeeUsea
VNCClienttoConnecttoaVirtualMachineonpage 229.
Keyboard Mapping on a Linux Host

Severalsituationsmightrequireyoutosetpropertiesinavirtualmachines
configurationfile(.vmxfile)tochangethewayakeyismapped.
Configure Keyboard Mapping for a Remote X Server

SometimesthekeyboardworkscorrectlywithalocalXserverbutnotwhenyourunthe
samevirtualmachinewitharemoteXserver.Youneedtosetadditionalpropertiesin
theconfiguration(.vmx)file.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythattheremoteXserverisanXFree86serverrunningonaPC.
IfthekeyboarddoesnotworkcorrectlyonanXFree86serverrunninglocally,reportthe
problemtoVMwaretechnicalsupport.
ForlocalXservers,WorkstationmapsXkeycodestoPCscancodestocorrectlyidentify
akey.WorkstationusesthiskeycodemaponlyforlocalXserversbecauseitcannottell
whetheraremoteXserverisrunningonaPCoronsomeotherkindofcomputer.In
thiscase,youcansetapropertytotellWorkstationtousekeycodemapping.Fora
descriptionofkeycodemapping,seeXKeyCodesComparedtoKeysymson
page 344.
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To configure keyboard mapping for a remote X server

1
Onthemachinethathoststhevirtualmachine,addoneofthefollowinglinestothe
virtualmachineconfiguration(.vmx)fileorto~/.vmware/config:
IfyouuseanXFree86basedserverthatWorkstationdoesnotrecognizeasan
XFree86server,usethefollowingproperty:
xkeymap.usekeycodeMap = "TRUE"
ThispropertytellsWorkstationtoalwaysusekeycodemappingregardlessof
servertype.
IfWorkstationdoesrecognizetheremoteserverasanXFree86server,usethe
followingproperty:
xkeymap.usekeycodeMapIfXFree86 = "TRUE"
ThispropertytellsWorkstationtousekeycodemappingifyouareusingan
XFree86server,evenifitisremote.
3
Change How a Specific Key Is Mapped

Ifsomekeysonthekeyboarddonotworkcorrectlyinavirtualmachine,youcanseta
propertythatmakesamodificationtothemap.
Beforeyoubegin,performthefollowingtasks:
VerifythattheXserverisanXFree86serverrunningonaPC.IftheXserveris
remote,configureittousekeycodemapping.SeeConfigureKeyboardMapping
foraRemoteXServeronpage 342.Foradescriptionofkeycodemapping,seeX
KeyCodesComparedtoKeysymsonpage 344.
DeterminetheXkeycodeandthecorrespondingvscancodeforthekey.Tofind
theXkeycodeforakey,runxevorxmodmap -pk.Mostvscancodesarelistedin
VScanCodeTableonpage 347.
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To change how a specific key is mapped

1
Onthemachinethathoststhevirtualmachine,addthefollowinglinetothevirtual
machineconfiguration(.vmx)fileorto~/.vmware/config:
xkeymap.keycode.<code> = "<v-scan_code>"
The<code>valuemustbeadecimalnumberand<v-scan_code>mustbea
Csyntaxhexadecimalnumber(forexample,0x001).
Forexample,toswapleftCtrlandCapsLock,usethefollowinglines:
xkeymap.keycode.64 = "0x01d # X Caps_Lock -> VM left ctrl"
xkeymap.keycode.37 = "0x03a # X Control_L -> VM caps lock"
X Key Codes Compared to Keysyms

PressingakeyonthePCkeyboardgeneratesaPCscancodebasedroughlyonthe
positionofthekey.Forexample,theZkeyonaGermankeyboardgeneratesthesame
codeastheYkeyonanEnglishkeyboardbecausetheyareinthesamepositiononthe
keyboard.Mostkeyshaveonebytescancodes,butsomekeyshavetwobytescan
codeswithprefix0xe0.
Internally,WorkstationusesasimplifiedversionofthePCscancodethatisasingle
ninebitnumericvalue,calledavscancode.Avscancodeiswrittenasathreedigit
hexadecimalnumber.Thefirstdigitis0or1.Forexample,theCtrlkeyontheleftside
ofthekeyboardhasaonebytescancode(0x1d).Itsvscancodeis0x01d.TheCtrlkey
scancodeontherightsideofthekeyboardistwobytes(0xe0,0x1d).Itsvscancodeis
0x11d.
AnXFree86serveronaPChasaonetoonemappingfromXkeycodestoPCscan
codes,orvscancodes,whichiswhatWorkstationuses.WhenWorkstationishostedon
anXFree86serverandrunsalocalvirtualmachine,itusesthebuiltinmappingfromX
keycodestovscancodes.Thismappingiskeyboardindependentandshouldbe
correctformostlanguages.Inothercases(notanXFree86serverornotalocalserver),
Workstationmustmapkeysymstovscancodesbyusingasetofkeyboardspecific
tables.
AnXserverusesatwolevelencodingofkeys,whichincludestheXkeycodeandthe
keysym.AnXkeycodeisaonebytevalue.Theassignmentofkeycodestokeys
dependsontheXserverimplementationandthephysicalkeyboard.Asaresult,anX
applicationnormallycannotusekeycodesdirectly.Instead,thekeycodesaremapped
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intokeysymsthathavenameslikespace,escape,xand2.YoucanuseanXapplication
tocontrolthemappingbyusingthefunctionXChangeKeyboardMapping()orbythe
programxmodmap.Toexplorekeyboardmappings,youcanusethexevcommand,
whichshowsthekeycodesandkeysymsforkeystypedintoitswindow.
Akeycodecorrespondsroughlytoaphysicalkey,whileakeysymcorrespondstothe
symbolonthekeytop.Forexample,withanXFree86serverrunningonaPC,theZkey
ontheGermankeyboardhasthesamekeycodeastheYkeyonanEnglishkeyboard.
TheGermanZkeysym,however,isthesameastheEnglishZkeysym,anddifferent
fromtheEnglishYkeysym.
Configure How Keysyms Are Mapped

Whenkeycodemappingcannotbeusedorisdisabled,Workstationmapskeysymsto
vscancodes.Ifalanguagespecifickeyboarddoesnotappeartobesupportedby
Workstation,youmightneedtosetapropertythattellsWorkstationwhichkeysym
tabletouse.
Tochangethemappingofafewkeys,determinethekeysymnameforeachkey
thatisnotmappedcorrectly.
Theeasiestwaytofindthekeysymnameforakeyistorunthexevorxmodmap
-pkcommands.TheXheaderfile/usr/include/X11/keysymdef.hhasa
completelistofkeysyms.ThenameofakeysymisthesameasitsCconstant
withouttheXK_prefix.
Touseadifferentkeysymtable,determinewhichmappingtabletouse.
ThetablesarelocatedinthexkeymapdirectoryintheWorkstationinstallation
directory(usually/usr/lib/vmware).Thetableyoumustusedependsonthe
keyboardlayout.ThenormaldistributionincludestablesforPCkeyboardsforthe
UnitedStatesandanumberofEuropeancountriesandlanguages.Formostof
these,boththe101key(or102key)andthe104key(or105key)variantsare
available.
Ifnoneofthemappingtablesiscompletelycorrect,findonethatworksbest,copy
ittoanewlocation,andchangetheindividualkeysymmappings.
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WorkstationdetermineswhichtabletousebyexaminingthecurrentXkeymap.
However,itsdecisionmakingprocesscansometimesfail.Inaddition,eachmappingis
fixedandmightnotbecompletelycorrectforanygivenkeyboardandXkey
codetokeysymmapping.Forexample,ausermighthaveswappedCtrlandCaps
Lockusingxmodmap.Thismeansthekeysareswappedinthevirtualmachinewhen
usingaremoteserver(keysymmapping)butareunswappedwhenusingalocalserver
(keycodemapping).Tocorrectthissituation,useconfigurationsettings.
To configure how keysyms are mapped
1
Onthemachinethathoststhevirtualmachine,addoneormoreofthefollowing
linestothevirtualmachineconfiguration(.vmx)fileorto~/.vmware/config:
TodisableXkeycodemappingtomapkeysymsratherthankeycodesto
vscancodes,setthefollowingproperty:
xkeymap.nokeycodeMap = "TRUE"
Formoreinformation,seeXKeyCodesComparedtoKeysymsonpage 344.
IfWorkstationhasatableinthexkeymapdirectoryforyourkeyboardbut
cannotdetectit,setthefollowingproperty:
xkeymap.language = "<keyboard_type>"
Thevalue<keyboard_type>mustspecifyoneofthetablesinthexkeymap
directory.However,thefailuretodetectthekeyboardprobablymeansthe
tableisnotcompletelycorrectforyou.Youmightneedtocreateamodified
tableandusethexkeymap.fileNameproperty,describednext.
Touseadifferentkeysymmappingtablethatisnotinthexkeymapdirectory,
setthefollowingproperty,where<file_path>isthepathtothetable:
xkeymap.fileName = "<file_path>"
Thetablemustlistakeysymforeachkeybyusingthefollowingform:
<sym> = "<v-scan_code>"
The <sym>valueisanXkeysymname,and<v-scan_code>isaCsyntax
hexadecimalnumber(forexample,0x001).Useanewlineforeachkeysym.
Compilingacompletekeysymmappingisdifficult.VMwarerecommends
editinganexistingtableandmakingsmallchanges.
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Tochangethekeysymmappingofafewkeys,setthefollowingpropertyfor
eachkey,onseparatelines:
xkeymap.keysym.<sym> = "<v-scan_code>"
Thevalue<sym>mustbeanXkeysymnameand<v-scan_code>isa
Csyntaxhexadecimalnumber(forexample,0x001).
MostvscancodesarelistedinVScanCodeTableonpage 347.The
xkeymaptablesthemselvesarealsohelpful.
3
V-Scan Code Table

Table 161showsthevscancodesforthe104keyU.S.keyboard.
Table 16-1. V-Scan Codes for the 104-Key U.S. Keyboard
Symbol
Shifted Symbol
Esc
Location
V-Scan Code
0x001
0x002
0x003
0x004
0x005
0x006
0x007
&
0x008
0x009
0x00a
0x00b
0x00c
0x00d
Backspace
0x00e
Tab
0x00f
0x010
0x011
0x012
0x013
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Table 16-1. V-Scan Codes for the 104-Key U.S. Keyboard (Continued)
Symbol
Shifted Symbol
Location
0x014
0x015
0x016
0x017
0x018
0x019
0x01a
0x01b
Enter
0x01c
Ctrl
left
0x01d
0x01e
0x01f
0x020
0x021
0x022
0x023
0x024
0x025
0x026
0x027
0x028
0x029
Shift
\
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V-Scan Code
left
|
0x02a
0x02b
0x02c
0x02d
0x02e
0x02f
0x030
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Symbol
Shifted Symbol
Location
V-Scan Code
0x031
0x032
<
0x033
>
0x034
0x035
Shift
right
0x036
numericpad
0x037
Alt
left
0x038
Spacebar
0x039
CapsLock
0x03a
F1
0x03b
F2
0x03c
F3
0x03d
F4
0x03e
F5
0x03f
F6
0x040
F7
0x041
F8
0x042
F9
0x043
F10
0x044
NumLock
numericpad
ScrollLock
0x045
0x046
Home
numericpad
0x047
Uparrow
numericpad
0x048
PgUp
numericpad
0x049
numericpad
0x04a
numericpad
0x04b
numericpad
0x04c
numericpad
0x04d
Leftarrow
5
Rightarrow
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Symbol
Shifted Symbol
V-Scan Code
numericpad
0x04e
End
numericpad
0x04f
Downarrow
numericpad
0x050
PgDn
numericpad
0x051
Ins
numericpad
0x052
numericpad
0x053
Del
F11
0x057
F12
0x058
Break
Pause
0x100
Enter
numericpad
0x11c
Ctrl
right
0x11d
numericpad
0x135
SysRq
PrintScrn
0x137
Alt
right
0x138
Home
functionpad
0x147
Uparrow
functionpad
0x148
PageUp
functionpad
0x149
Leftarrow
functionpad
0x14b
Rightarrow
functionpad
0x14d
End
functionpad
0x14f
Downarrow
functionpad
0x150
PageDown
functionpad
0x151
Insert
functionpad
0x152
Delete
functionpad
0x153
Windows
left
0x15b
Windows
right
0x15c
Menu
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Location
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The84keykeyboardhasaSysReqkeyonthenumericpad.Itsvscancodeis0x054.
KeyboardsoutsidetheU.S.usuallyhaveanextrakey(often<>or<>|)nexttotheleft
Shiftkey.Thevscancodeforthiskeyis0x056.
Using USB Devices in a Virtual Machine

Youcanconnectupto20USBdevicestoonevirtualmachinesimultaneously.
WorkstationprovidestwoUSBcontrollerspervirtualmachine,aUHCIcontrollerfor
USB1.1devicesandanEHCIcontrollerforUSB2.0devices.
ForUSB2.0support,yourhostmustsupportUSB2.0,andyoumustenableUSB2.0
supportinWorkstation.USB2.0supportisavailableonlyforWorkstation6.xand
highervirtualmachines.USB2.0devicesarehighspeeddeviceswhichincludethe
latestmodelsofUSBflashdrives,USBharddrives,iPods,andiPhone.
Onthehost,whenaUSB2.0deviceconnectstoaUSBport,thedeviceisautomatically
connectedtoEHCIcontrollerandoperatesinUSB2.0mode.AUSB1.1deviceis
connectedtoUHCIcontrollerandoperatesinUSB1.1mode.Avirtualmachinewith
USB2.0supportenabled,simulatesthisbehavior.SeeEnabletheUSB2.0Controller
foraVirtualMachineonpage 352.
AlthoughyourhostoperatingsystemmustsupportUSB,youdonotneedtoinstall
devicespecificdriversforUSBdevicesinthehostoperatingsystemtousethose
devicesonlyinthevirtualmachine.WindowsNTandLinuxkernelsearlierthan2.2.17
donotsupportUSB.
VMwarehastestedavarietyofUSBdeviceswithWorkstation7.0.Iftheguestoperating
systemhasappropriatedrivers,youcanuseawidevarietyofUSBdevices,forexample,
PDAs,Smartphones,printers,storage(disk)devices,scanners,MP3players,digital
cameras,memorycardreaders,andisochronoustransferdevices,suchaswebcams,
speakers,andmicrophones.
USBhumaninterfacedevices,suchasthekeyboardandmouse,canbeconnectedtothe
virtualmachinebyenablingtheShowallUSBinputdevicesoption.Ifyoudonotselect
theoptiontoShowallUSBinputdevicesasremovabledevices,thesedevicesdonot
appearasRemovableDevicesavailabletoconnecttothevirtualmachine,eventhough
theyarepluggedintoUSBportsonthehost.Thisoptionisenablesuserstousespecial
USBhumaninterfacedevices(HIDs)insideavirtualmachine.
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Enable the USB 2.0 Controller for a Virtual Machine

ThevirtualmachinesUSBcontrollerandhighspeedUSB2.0devicesareenabledby
default.Modemsandcertainstreamingdatadevices,suchasspeakersandwebcams,
donotworkproperlyunlessyouenableUSB2.0support.
IfyourvirtualmachinewascreatedusinganolderversionofWorkstationtheUSB2.0
devicesupportisnotenabled.YoucanenabletheUSBcontrollerinthevirtualmachine
settingseditorofWorkstation7.0.
Beforeyoubegin,performoneofthefollowingtasksthatapplytoyourconfiguration:
VerifythatthevirtualmachineisaWorkstation6.xorhighervirtualmachine.
VerifythattheguestsupportsUSB2.0devices.
OnWindowsXPguests,verifythatthelatestservicepackisinstalledtouse
USB 2.0.
IfyouuseWindowsXPwithnoservicepacks,thedriverfortheEHCIcontroller
cannotbeloaded.
IfyoudonotplantouseUSBdevicesinavirtualmachine,youcanusethevirtual
machinesettingseditortodisableUSB2.0support.
To enable the USB 2.0 Controller for a virtual machine
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectUSBController.
SelecttheEnablehighspeedsupportforUSB2.0devicescheckboxandclick
OK.
Add a USB Controller to a Virtual Machine

Bydefault,aUSBcontrollerisincludedwhenyoucreateavirtualmachine.Ifyou
removetheUSBcontroller,youcanadditback.
Thiscontrollerisrequiredtouseasmartcardinavirtualmachineregardlessof
whetherthesmartcardreaderisaUSBdevice.
To add a USB controller to a virtual machine
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ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwareTypepage,selectUSBControllerandclickNext.
OntheUSBpage,clickFinish.
YoucannowstartthevirtualmachineandautomaticallyormanuallyconnectUSB
devicesandsmartcardreaders.
Connecting USB Devices

Whenavirtualmachineisrunning,itswindowistheactivewindow.IfyouplugaUSB
deviceintothehost,bydefault,thedeviceconnectstothevirtualmachineinsteadof
thehost.
IfyoumanuallyconnectaUSBdevicetoavirtualmachine(chooseVM>Removable
Devices),Workstationretainsthevirtualmachinesconnectiontotheaffectedporton
thehost.Youcansuspendorpoweroffthevirtualmachine,orunplugthedevice.When
youplugthedevicebackinorresumethevirtualmachine,Workstationreconnectsthe
device.Workstationretainstheconnectionbywritinganautoconnectentrytothe
virtualmachinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.
IfWorkstationcannotreconnecttothedevice(forexample,becauseyoudisconnectthe
device),thedeviceisremovedandamessageisdisplayed,indicatingthatWorkstation
cannotconnecttothedevice.Youcanconnectmanuallytothedeviceifitisstill
available.
Enable or Disable Automatic Connection of USB Devices

YoucandisabletheautoconnectfeatureifyoudonotwantUSBdevicesto
automaticallyconnecttothevirtualmachinewhenyoupoweriton.
To enable or disable automatic connection of USB devices
1
Thevirtualmachinecanbepoweredonoroffunlessyouplantochangethesetting
forconnectingtoUSBmouseandkeyboarddevices.Inthiscase,thevirtual
machinemustbepoweredoff.
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ChooseVM>Settings.
353
SelectordeselecttheAutomaticallyconnectnewUSBdevicescheckboxtoenable
ordisablethesettingandclickOK.
Enable or Disable Show All USB Input Devices

TheShowallUSBinputdevicesoptionisdisabledbydefault.Thisoptionenablesusers
tousespecialUSBHIDsinsideavirtualmachineexclusively.
NOTEAnHIDthatisconnectedtotheguestisnotavailabletothehost.
VMwarerecommendsdisablingautomaticconnectionofUSBdevicewhenusinga
KVMswitchforamouseorkeyboard.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatthevirtualmachineispoweredoff.
To enable or disable Show all USB input devices
1
SelectVM>Settings.
SelecttheShowallUSBinputdevicescheckboxtoenableordisablethesetting
andclickOK.
IftheShowallUSBinputdevicescheckboxisenabled,alltheHIDs,suchasUSB
1.1and2.0mouseandkeyboarddevices,appearasRemovableDeviceswhenthe
virtualmachineispoweredon.
Connect a USB Device Manually

Ifadevicethatisconnectedtothehostdoesnotautomaticallyconnecttoavirtual
machineatpoweron,youcanconnectthedevicemanually.
Beforeyoubegin,forUSBmouse,keyboard,andotherinputdevices,youmustenable
showingthesedevices.SeeEnableorDisableShowAllUSBInputDeviceson
page 354.
Also,whenyouareusingavirtualmachine,ifyouplugadeviceintothehost,the
autoconnectfeatureusuallyconnectsthedevicetothevirtualmachine.Ifthisaction
doesnotoccur,youcanconnectthedevicemanually.
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To connect a USB device manually

1
ChooseVM>RemovableDevices><device_name>.
Here<device_name>specifiestheUSBdevicethatispluggedintothehost.
A checkmarkappearsnexttothedevicesname,indicatingthatitisconnected.
IfthephysicalUSBdevicesareconnectedtothehostthroughahub,thevirtual
machineseesonlytheUSBdevices,notthehub.
USB Driver Installation on a Windows Host

WhenaparticularUSBdeviceisconnectedtoavirtualmachineforthefirsttime,the
hostdetectsitasanewdevicenamedVMwareUSBDeviceandinstallstheappropriate
VMwaredriver.
OnWindowsXPandWindowsServer2003hosts,theMicrosoftWindowsFoundNew
Hardwarewizardpromptsyoutorunit.Selectthedefaultaction,Installthesoftware
automatically.Afterthesoftwareisinstalled,theguestoperatingsystemdetectsthe
USBdeviceandsearchesforasuitabledriver.
Synchronize a PDA to Install a PDA Driver

WhenyousynchronizeaPDAtoavirtualmachineforthefirsttime,thetotaltime
requiredtoloadtheVMwareUSBdevicedriverinthehostandthePDAdriverinthe
guestmightexceedthedevicesconnectiontimeoutvalue.Thiscausesthedeviceto
disconnectitselffromthecomputerbeforetheguestcansynchronizewithit.
To synchronize a PDA to install a PDA driver
1
ConnecttheUSBdevicetothecomputerthathoststhevirtualmachine.
SynchronizethePDAwiththehost.
LettheguestfinishinstallingthePDAdriver.
Dismissanyconnectionerrorwarnings.
SynchronizethePDAagain.
Thissecondattemptusuallysucceeds.
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Access and Use a USB Device on a Linux Host

OnLinuxhosts,WorkstationusestheUSBdevicefilesystemtoconnecttoUSBdevices.
IftheUSBdevicefilesystemisnotlocatedin/proc/bus/usb,youmustmounttheUSB
filesystemtothatlocation.
Beforeyoubegin,addaUSBcontrollertothevirtualmachineifthevirtualmachine
doesnothaveone.SeeAddaUSBControllertoaVirtualMachineonpage 352.
DonotattempttoaddaUSBdrivesdevicenodedirectory(forexample,/dev/sda)to
thevirtualmachineasaharddisk.
To access and use a USB device on a Linux host
1
Runthefollowingcommandasroot:
mount -t usbfs none /proc/bus/usb
ConnecttheUSBdevicetothehostandbeginusingit.
How Device Control Is Shared Between Host and Guest

OnlythehostortheguestcanhavecontrolofaUSBdeviceatanyonetime.Device
controloperatesdifferently,dependingonwhetherthehostisaLinuxoraWindows
computer.
Device Control on a Windows Host

Whenyouconnectadevicetoavirtualmachine,itisdisconnectedfromthehostor
fromthevirtualmachinethatpreviouslyhadcontrolofthedevice.Whenyou
disconnectadevicefromavirtualmachine,itisreturnedtothehost.
Undersomecircumstances,ifaUSBstoragedeviceisinuseonthehost(forexample,
oneormorefilesstoredonthedeviceareopenonthehost),anerrorappearsinthe
virtualmachinewhenyoutrytoconnecttothedevice.Youmustletthehostcomplete
itsoperationorcloseanyapplicationconnectedtothedeviceonthehost,andconnect
tothedeviceinthevirtualmachineagain.
OnWindowsXPandWindowsServer2003hosts,whenyouconnectaUSBnetworkor
storagedevicetoavirtualmachine,amessagemightappearonthehostthatsaysthe
devicecanberemovedsafely.Thisisnormalbehavior,andyoucandismissthedialog
box.However,donotremovethedevicefromyourphysicalcomputer.
Ifthenetworkorstoragedevicedoesnotdisconnectfromthehost,usetheappropriate
systemtrayicontodisconnectit.OnWindowsXPandWindowsServer2003,itiscalled
SafelyRemoveHardware.
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Troubleshoot Device Control Issues on a Linux Host

OnLinuxhosts,guestoperatingsystemscanusedevicesthatarenotalreadyinuseby
thehost,thatis,devicesthatarenotclaimedbyahostoperatingsystemdriver.
IfthedeviceisinusebythehostandyoutrytochooseVM>RemovableDevicesto
connectittotheguest,adialogboxappears,askingwhetheryouwanttodisconnectthe
driveronthehost.Occasionally,disconnectingthedevicefails.
Arelatedissuesometimesaffectsdevicesthatrelyonautomaticconnection(asPDAs
oftendo).Occasionally,evenifyousuccessfullyusedautoconnectiontoconnectthe
devicetothevirtualmachine,youmightexperienceproblemswiththeconnectionto
thedevice.
To troubleshoot device control issues on a Linux host
1
Ifyouhaveproblemswithautomaticconnections,chooseVM>Removable
Devicestodisconnectthedeviceandreconnectit.
Iftheproblempersists,unplugthedevicephysicallyandplugitinagain.
Ifawarningappearsthatthedeviceisinuse,disablethedeviceinthehotplug
configurationfilesinthe/etc/hotplugdirectory.
Fordetailsoneditingtheseconfigurationfiles,seeyourLinuxdistributions
documentation.
Ifadisconnectionfails,dooneofthefollowing:
Ifthedriverwasautomaticallyloadedbyhotplug,disableitinthehotplug
configurationfilesinthe/etc/hotplugdirectory.
Fordetailsoneditingtheseconfigurationfiles,seeyourLinuxdistributions
documentation.
Tounloadthedevicedrivermanually,becomeroot(su -)andusethermmod
command.
Disconnecting USB Devices from a Virtual Machine

BeforeyouunplugaUSBdeviceorchooseVM>RemovableDevicestodisconnectit
fromavirtualmachine,besureitisinasafestate.
Followtheproceduresthedevicemanufacturerspecifiesforunpluggingthedevice
fromaphysicalcomputer.Thisistruewhetheryouarephysicallyunpluggingit,
movingitfromhosttovirtualmachine,movingitbetweenvirtualmachines,ormoving
itfromvirtualmachinetohost.
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Thisisimportantwithdatastoragedevices(aZipdrive,forexample).Ifyoumovea
datastoragedevicetoosoonaftersavingafileandtheoperatingsystemdidnot
actuallywritethedatatothedisk,youcanlosedata.
Use Smart Cards with Virtual Machines

Asmartcardisaplasticcardaboutthesizeofacreditcardbutembeddedwitha
computerchip.Manygovernmentagenciesandlargeenterprisesusesmartcardsto
sendsecurecommunication,digitallysigndocuments,andauthenticateuserswho
accesstheircomputernetworks.Usersplugasmartcardreaderintotheircomputer
andinserttheirsmartcardinthereader.TheyarethenpromptedfortheirPINtologon.
ThevirtualmachineconsiderssmartcardreaderstobeatypeofUSBdevice.Youcan
chooseVM>RemovableDevicestoaccessthem.Virtualmachinescanconnectto
smartcardreadersthatinterfacetoserialports,parallelports,USBports,PCMCIA
slots,andPCIslots.
Asmartcardcanbesharedbetweenvirtualmachinesorbetweenthehostandoneor
morevirtualmachines.Sharingisenabledbydefault.Todisablesharing,seeDisable
SmartCardSharingonpage 360.
Whenyouplugasmartcardreaderintothecomputerthereaderappearsastwo
separateUSBdevicesintheWorkstationinterface.Thisisbecauseyoucanusesmart
cardsinoneoftwomutuallyexclusivemodes:virtualmodeorUSBpassthroughmode.
Youmustselectoneortheother.
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Virtualmode(Recommended)Thesmartcardreaderdeviceisavailableas
Virtual<smart_card_reader_model>underRemovableDevices.Afterthe
virtualreaderisconnectedtothevirtualmachine,itisvisibleasUSBSmartCard
ReaderonWindowsXPguests.OnWindowsVistaandWindows7gueststhe
genericsmartcardreaderdevicenameappearsundertheWindowsDevice
Managerlist.Invirtualmode,thesmartcardreadercanbesharedamong
applicationsonthehostandamongapplicationswithindifferentguestsonthe
host.
USBpassthroughmodeThesmartcardreaderdeviceisavailableas
<smart_card_reader_model>underRemovableDevices.InUSBpassthrough
mode,asinglevirtualmachinedirectlycontrolsthephysicalsmartcardreader.A
USBpassthroughsmartcardreadercannotbeusedbyapplicationsonthehostor
byapplicationswithinothervirtualmachines.YoushoulduseUSBpassthrough
modeonlyifconnectioninvirtualmodedoesnotworkwellforyourscenario.If
youareusingtheUSBpassthroughmodeyoumayneedtoinstallthedriver
providedbythemanufacturer.
VMware, Inc.
SmartcardscanbeusedwithmanyLinuxdistributions.VMwareprovidesfullsmart
cardsupportforWindowsguestsrunningonLinuxhosts.However,usingsmartcards
withinLinux,typicallyrequiresthirdpartysoftwaretoeffectivelyauthenticatetoa
domainorenablesecurecommunications.Smartcardsshouldworkwithcommon
Linuxbrowsers,emailapplications,anddirectoryserviceshowever,theseproducts
havenotbeentestedorcertifiedbyVMware.
Touseahostssmartcardreaderinavirtualmachine,makesurethefollowing
prerequisitesaresatisfied:
OnWindowshosts,starttheservicecalledSCardSvr.exeifitisnotalready
running.
OnLinuxhosts,makesurethelibpcsclitelibraryisinstalled.MostrecentLinux
distributionsincludethislibrary.Alsomakesurethepcscddaemonisrunning.
MakesurethevirtualmachinehasaUSBcontroller.
AUSBcontrollerisrequiredregardlessofwhetherthesmartcardreaderitselfisa
USBdevice.Bydefault,USBcontrollersareincludedwhenyoucreateavirtual
machine.IfyouremovedtheUSBcontroller,youmustadditback.SeeAddaUSB
ControllertoaVirtualMachineonpage 352.
To use smart cards with virtual machines

1
Connectthesmartcardreadertothehostmachine.
Startthevirtualmachine.
Toconnectthesmartcardreadertoavirtualmachine,chooseVM>Removable
Devices>Virtual<smart_card_reader_model>>Connect.
IfthesmartcardreaderisaUSBsmartcardreader,twoitemsappearforitinthe
RemovableDevicesmenu.Bothitemsusethemodelnameofthereader,butone
itemnamebeginswithVirtual.
OnLinuxhosts,ifyouselectthewrongitemandthenwanttoselecttheVirtual
smartcarditem,seeSwitchtoUsingtheVirtualSmartCardReaderonLinux
Hostsonpage 360.
VMware, Inc.
Todisconnectthesmartcardreaderfromthevirtualmachine,chooseVM>
RemovableDevices>Virtual<smart_card_reader_model>>Disconnect.
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Toremovethesmartcardfromthevirtualmachine,chooseVM>Removable
Devices>Virtual<smart_card_reader_model>>RemoveSmartCard.
Thesmartcardisremovedfromthevirtualmachinebutstaysconnectedonthe
host.Ifthesmartcardisphysicallyremovedfromthesmartcardreaderthenthis
optionisdisabled.
Toinsertthesmartcardtothevirtualmachine,chooseVM>RemovableDevices
>Virtual<smart_card_reader_model>>InsertSmartCard.
Ifthesmartcardisphysicallyinsertedinthesmartcardreaderthenthesmartcard
isalsoinsertedinthevirtualmachine.
Switch to Using the Virtual Smart Card Reader on Linux Hosts

BecauseofthewaysmartcardreaderfunctionalityisimplementedonLinuxhosts,you
mustexitWorkstationandrestartthepcscddaemononthehostbeforeswitchingfrom
thenonvirtualsmartcardreadertothevirtualsmartcardreader.
To switch to using the virtual smart card reader on Linux hosts
1
Todisconnectfromthenonvirtualsmartcardreader,usetheRemovableDevices
menuandselectDisconnect.
PoweroffthevirtualmachineandexitWorkstation.
Physicallydisconnectthesmartcardreaderfromthehost.
Restartthepcscddaemononthehost.
Physicallyconnectthesmartcardreadertothehost.
StartWorkstation,poweronthevirtualmachine,andconnecttothevirtualsmart
cardreader.
SeeUseSmartCardswithVirtualMachinesonpage 358.
Disable Smart Card Sharing

Bydefault,youcanshareasmartcardbetweenvirtualmachinesorbetweenthehost
andoneormorevirtualmachines.Youmightwanttodisablesmartcardsharingifyou
areusingaPCMCIAsmartcardreader,deployingvirtualmachinesforenterpriseuse
anddonotwanttosupportdriversforvarioussmartcardreaders,andyourhosthas
driversbutnottheguest.
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Thesettingthatcontrolssmartcardsharingislocatedintheglobalconfigurationfile.
Theglobalconfigurationfileiscreatedwhenyouchangeanyofthedefaultsettingsin
theWorkstationpreferenceseditor(Edit>Preferences).Thefilelocationdependson
thehostoperatingsystem:
OnmostWindowshosts:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware
Workstation\config.ini
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts:
C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware Workstation\config.ini
OnLinuxhosts:
/etc/vmware/config
To disable smart card sharing

1
Iftheconfig.inifiledoesnotyetexistonyourhostcomputer,chooseEdit>
Preferencesandchangeatleastoneofthesettingsinthepreferenceeditor.
Opentheconfig.inifilewithatexteditorandaddthefollowingline:
usb.ccid.useSharedMode = "FALSE"
Setpermissionsonthisfilesothatotheruserscannotchangeit.
Support for Generic SCSI Devices

GenericSCSIgivestheguestoperatingsystemdirectaccesstoSCSIdevicesconnected
tothehost,suchasscanners,tapedrives,andotherdatastoragedevices.UsingtheSCSI
genericdriver,WorkstationallowsavirtualmachinetorunanySCSIdevicethatis
supportedbytheguestoperatingsystem.
Intheory,genericSCSIiscompletelydeviceindependent,butVMwarehasdiscovered
itissensitivetotheguestoperatingsystem,deviceclass,andspecificSCSIhardware.
TryanySCSIhardwareandreportproblemstoVMwaretechnicalsupport.
OnWindowshosts,toaccesshostSCSIdevicesfromwithinavirtualmachine,you
mustrunWorkstationasauserwithadministratoraccess.
OnLinuxhosts,youmusthavereadandwritepermissionsonagivengenericSCSI
devicetousethedevicewithinavirtualmachine,evenifthedeviceisareadonly
devicesuchasaCDROMdrive.Thesedevicestypicallydefaulttorootonly
permissions.Youradministratorcancreateagroupwithaccesstoreadandwriteto
thesedevicesandaddtheappropriateuserstothatgroup.
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Installing Required Adapters or Drivers for Some Windows

Guests
OnolderWindowsguestoperatingsystems,youmightneedtoinstallspecialhostbus
adapters.TouseaSCSIdevicewith32bitWindowsXPguests,youmustinstalla
specialdriverthatVMwareprovides.
Installing a SCSI Adapter on Windows 9.x and Me Guests

IfyouusegenericSCSIdevicesinaWindows95,Windows98,orWindowsMeguest
operatingsystemandareexperiencingproblemswiththedevices,downloadthelatest
Mylex(BusLogic)BT/KT958compatiblehostbusadapterfromLSIWebsite.Toinstall
thedriver,followtheinstructionsontheWebsite.
ThisdriveroverrideswhatWindowschoosesasthebestdriver,butitcorrectsknown
problems.
Installing a SCSI Driver for 32-Bit Windows XP Guests

TouseSCSIdevicesina32bitWindowsXPvirtualmachine,youneedaspecialSCSI
driveravailablefromtheDownloadspageoftheVMwareWebsite.
Install the BusLogic Driver in a Windows NT 4.0 Guest

GenericSCSIdevicesusethevirtualMylex(BusLogic)BT/KT958compatiblehostbus
adapterprovidedbythevirtualmachine.OnWindowsNT4.0,youmightneedto
installthedrivermanuallyifitisnotalreadyinstalledforavirtualSCSIdisk.Doso
beforeyouaddagenericSCSIdevice.
Beforeyoubegin,haveyourWindowsNTinstallationCDavailable.
To install the BusLogic driver in a Windows NT 4.0 guest
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ToopentheSCSIAdapterscontrolpanel,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel
>SCSIAdapters.
OntheDriverstab,clickAdd.
Inthelistofvendorsontheleft,selectBusLogic.
Inthelistofdriversontheright,selectBusLogicMultiMasterPCISCSIHost
AdaptersandclickOK.
InserttheWindowsNTCDwhenyouarepromptedandclickOK.
Rebootwhenyouareprompted.
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Avoiding Concurrent Access on Linux Hosts

TheSCSIgenericdriversetsupamappingforeachSCSIdevicein/dev.Eachentry
startswithsg(fortheSCSIgenericdriver)followedbyanumber.Forexample,
/dev/sg0isthefirstgenericSCSIdevice.EachentrycorrespondstoaSCSIdevicein
theorderspecifiedin/proc/scsi/scsi,fromthelowestdeviceIDonthelowest
adaptertothehighestdeviceIDonthelowestadapter,andsoontothehighestdevice
IDonthehighestadapter.
SomeLinuxdevicessuchastapedrives,diskdrives,andCDROMdrivesalreadyhave
adesignated/deventry(st,sd,andsr,respectively).WhentheSCSIgenericdriveris
installed,Linuxidentifiesthesedeviceswithcorrespondingsgentriesin/devin
additiontotheirtraditionalentries.Workstationensuresthatmultipleprogramsare
notusingthesame/dev/sgentryatthesametimebutcannotalwaysensurethat
multipleprogramsarenotusingthe/dev/sgentryandthetraditional/deventryat
thesametime.WhenyouspecifywhichSCSIdevicetouseinavirtualmachine,donot
specify/dev/st0or/dev/sr0.
CAUTIONDonotattempttousethesamegenericSCSIdeviceinbothhostandguest.
Thiscancauseunexpectedbehaviorandmightcauselossorcorruptionofdata.
Add a Generic SCSI Device to a Virtual Machine

TomapvirtualSCSIdevicesonavirtualmachinetophysicalgenericSCSIdeviceson
thehost,youmustaddagenericSCSIdevicetothevirtualmachine.
Beforeyoubegin,makesureyouhavethefollowingrequiredpermissions:
OnWindowshosts,toaccesshostSCSIdevicesasgenericSCSIdevices,youmust
runWorkstationasauserwithadministratoraccess.
OnLinuxhosts,genericSCSIrequiresversion2.1.36orhigheroftheSCSIGeneric
(sg.o)driver,whichcomeswithkernel2.2.14andhigher.Also,youmustbe
loggedonasauserwhohaspermissionstousethedevice(thatis,readandwrite
permissions).
To add a generic SCSI device to a virtual machine

1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwareTypepage,selectGenericSCSIDeviceandclickNext.
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OntheChooseSCSIDevicepage,fromthedropdownmenuofSCSIdevices,
selectthephysicaldevicetomap.
Ifyoudonotseethedeviceyouwantinthelist,seeTroubleshootProblems
DetectingGenericSCSIDevicesonpage 364.
OnLinuxhosts,ifyoutypeinthepathtotheSCSIdevice,donotenter/dev/st0
or/dev/sr0.
SelecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxtoconfigureautomaticconnection
behaviorandclickFinish.
OntheHardwaretab,intheVirtualdevicenodesection,selecttheSCSIdevice
identifiertouseforthedriveandclickOK.
Forexample,ifyouselectSCSI0:2,theguestoperatingsystemseesthedriveas
ID 2oncontroller0.
Troubleshoot Problems Detecting Generic SCSI Devices

WhenyouusethevirtualmachinesettingseditortoaddagenericSCSIdevicetoa
virtualmachine,occasionallythedevicedoesnotappearinthelistofavailableSCSI
devices.
Beforeyoubegintroubleshootingthisproblem,youmightneedtoknowthefollowing:
TheSCSIbusnumberthatthedeviceusesonthehostsystem.TheSCSIbusis
assignedanumberbythehostoperatingsystemafterallIDEbusesareassigned
numbers.Forexample,ifyouhavetwoIDEbuses,theyarenumbered0and1.The
firstSCSIbusisassignedbusnumber2.
IfyoucannotdeterminetheSCSIbusnumber,tryusingathirdpartytoolsuchas
winobjtodeterminethisinformation.Youcandownloadwinobjforfreefromthe
WindowsSysinternalsWebsite.
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ThetargetIDthedeviceusesinthevirtualmachineandonthehost.ThisIDis
usuallysetbysomejumpersorswitchesonthedevice.TodeterminethetargetID,
seetheownersmanualforthedevice.
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ThemainreasonsWorkstationcannotdetectadeviceincludethefollowing:
Adriverforthatdeviceisnotinstalledonthehost.
Adriveronthehostpreventsthedevicefrombeingdetected.
Thevirtualmachineusesadeviceforwhichtherearenodriversavailabletothe
hostoperatingsystem.Inthiscase,addthedevicemanuallytothevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.Addingadeviceinthismanneris
recommendedforadvancedusersonly.
To troubleshoot problems detecting generic SCSI devices

1
Findoutwhetherthedevicedriverforthisdeviceisinstalledonthehost.
Ifthedevicedriverisnotinstalledandyouwanttoinstallit,dosoandseeifthe
deviceappearscorrectlyinthevirtualmachinesettingseditor.
Youmightnotwanttoinstallthedriveronthehostifyouwanttoavoida
deviceinuseconflictbetweenthehostandguest.
Ifadriverisinstalledbutdoesnotappearcorrectly,ifyoucannotinstallthedriver
onthehost,orifyoudonotwanttoinstallthedriveronthehost,continuewiththe
restofthisprocedure.
IfanoriginalSCSIdevicedriverisalreadyinstalledonthehost,disableit.
SomeWindowsoperatingsystemsdonotprocessthesendcommandfromthe
adapterifthedevicedriverownsthedevice.
Poweroffthevirtualmachineandopenthevirtualmachinesconfiguration(.vmx)
fileinatexteditor.
Addorchangethefollowinglineinthe.vmxfile,whereX istheSCSIbusnumber
thedeviceusesonthehostsystem,andYisthetargetIDthedeviceusesbothin
thevirtualmachineandonthehost:
scsiZ:Y.fileName = "<deviceName>"
For"<deviceName>"use:
"scsiX:Y"
Thefollowingisanexampleofhowtosettheoption.Theproblematicdeviceisa
CDROMdrive,andtheexistingentryintheconfigurationfileis:
scsi0:4.fileName = "CdRom0"
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Ifthedeviceonthehostislocatedonbus2withtargetID4,changethislineto:
scsi0:4.fileName = "scsi2:4"
IfyourproblemwasthatthevirtualmachinehasaSCSIadapterandgenericSCSI
device,butWorkstationdidnotrecognizethedevicewhenthevirtualmachine
waspoweredon,youcanstopatthispoint.
6
IfthevirtualmachinedoesnotcontainanySCSIdevices,toaddagenericSCSI
devicetoanewvirtualSCSIadapter,ortouseanexistingSCSIdeviceasageneric
SCSIdevice,addthefollowinglineinthe.vmxfile:
scsiZ:Y.deviceType = "scsi-passthru"
IfyouwantedtouseanexistingSCSIdeviceasagenericSCSIdevice,youcanstop
atthispoint.
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IfthevirtualmachinedoesnotcontainanySCSIdevices,ortoaddagenericSCSI
devicetoanewvirtualSCSIadapter,addthefollowinglinesinthe.vmxfile,where
ZistheSCSIbusnumberthedeviceusesinthevirtualmachine:
scsiZ:Y.present = "true"
scsiZ.present = "true"
Ifthevirtualmachinesettingseditorstilldoesnotincludethisdeviceinthelistof
availableSCSIdevicesforthisvirtualmachine,contactVMwaretechnicalsupport.
Use Four-Way Virtual Symmetric Multiprocessing

WithVirtualSMP,youcanassignprocessorsandcoresperprocessortoavirtual
machineonanyhostmachinethathasatleasttwologicalprocessors.
Thefollowingareallconsideredtohavetwoormorelogicalprocessors:
AmultiprocessorhostwithtwoormorephysicalCPUs
AsingleprocessorhostwithamulticoreCPU
Asingleprocessorhostwithhyperthreadingenabled
NOTEOnhyperthreadeduniprocessorhosts,performanceofvirtualmachineswith
VirtualSMPmightbebelownormal.Evenonmultiprocessorhosts,performanceis
affectedifyouovercommitbyrunningmultipleworkloadsthatrequiremoretotalCPU
resourcesthanarephysicallyavailable.
Youcanpoweronandrunmultipledualprocessorvirtualmachinesconcurrently.
Thenumberofprocessorsforagivenvirtualmachineappearsinthesummaryviewof
thevirtualmachine.
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To use four-way virtual symmetric multiprocessing

Foranewvirtualmachine,choosethecustomconfigurationintheNewVirtual
Machinewizard.OntheProcessorConfigurationpage,specifythenumber.
Foranexistingvirtualmachine,chooseVM>SettingsandontheHardwaretab,
selectProcessorsandspecifythenumber.
Use a Virtual Machine That Originally Had More Than Four

Virtual Processors
YoucanuseWorkstation7.0,runningonamultiprocessorhostmachine,toopena
virtualmachinecreatedinESXServerthathasoneormorevirtualprocessors.You
cannotuseWorkstation,however,topoweronavirtualmachinethathasmorethan
fourvirtualprocessorsassigned,evenifmoreprocessorswereassignedwhenthe
virtualmachinewascreatedinESXServer.
Youcanseethenumberofprocessorsinthevirtualmachinessummaryvieworby
usingthevirtualmachinesettingseditor.Touseavirtualmachinethathasmorethan
fourvirtualprocessorsassigned,youmustchangethenumberofprocessorsbefore
poweringiton.
To use a virtual machine that originally had more than four virtual processors
1
ChooseVM>Settings.
OntheHardwaretab,selectProcessors,andnotethatNumberofProcessorsisset
toOther(x),wherexisthenumberofprocessorsoriginallyassignedinESXServer.
Workstationpreservesthisoriginalconfigurationsettingforthenumberof
processors,eventhoughtwoisthemaximumnumberofprocessorssupported.
Afteryoucommitachangetothissetting,theoriginalsettingforthenumberof
processorsisdiscardedandnolongerappearsasanoptioninthevirtualmachine
settingseditor.
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ChangetheNumberofprocessorssettingtoOne,Two,orFourandclickOK.
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Special-Purpose
Configuration Options for
Windows Hosts
17
Youcanuseconfigurationoptionsfortasks,suchasrestrictingtheoperationsausercan
performwithavirtualmachineorsimplifyingtheuserinterfaceforinexperienced
users.Inaclassroom,forexample,youcanensurethatvirtualmachineconfigurations
remainconsistentfromoneclasssessiontothenext.
RestrictingtheUserInterfaceonpage 369
MakingaVirtualMachineAlwaysUseFullScreenSwitchModeonpage 372
GuestACPIS1Sleeponpage 380
Restricting the User Interface

Toenabletherestricteduserinterface,ausermusthavesufficientprivilegestoeditthe
virtualmachinesconfigurationfileandtosetfilepermissions.Therestricteduser
interfaceaffectsonlythespecificvirtualmachinesforwhichthesettingiscreated.
Thefollowingchangesoccurwhenyouenabletherestricteduserinterface:
Thetoolbarisalwayshidden.
AllfunctionsontheVM>Powermenu,Snapshotmenu,Replaymenu,and
RemovableDevicesmenuaredisabled.
Noaccessisprovidedtothevirtualmachinesettingseditor(VM>Settings).
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Theusercannotchangevirtualnetworkingsettings(Edit>VirtualNetwork
Editor).
Theuserstartsthevirtualmachinebydoubleclickingtheconfiguration(.vmx)file
oradesktopshortcut.Theusershutsdownbyclosingthevirtualmachine(File>
Exit).ItisalsopossibletolaunchWorkstationandopenarestrictedinterface
virtualmachinefromtheFavoriteslistorFilemenu.
Enable the Restricted User Interface

Althoughtherestricteduserinterfaceprovidesnoaccesstomenuandtoolbarcontrols
forasnapshot,youcangiveuserslimitedsnapshotcontrol.Ifyousetupasnapshotfor
therestrictedvirtualmachineandsetthepoweroffoptiontoAskMe,thestandard
dialogboxappearswhenavirtualmachineshutsdownandtheusercanchoose
Just PowerOff,TakeSnapshot,orReverttoSnapshot.
To enable the restricted user interface
1
PoweroffthevirtualmachineandclosetheVMwareWorkstationwindow.
Openthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)inatexteditor.
Addthefollowinglineanywhereinthefile:
gui.restricted = "TRUE"
(Optional)Setfilepermissionsontheconfigurationfiletogivenormalusersofthe
systemonlyreadaccesstothefile.
Createashortcuttotheconfigurationfileonthedesktopandgiveitanappropriate
name.
Restrict the User Interface and Return to a Snapshot

Youcancombinearestricteduserinterfacewithasnapshottoensurethatusersvirtual
machinesalwaysstartinthesamestate.Typically,usersrunningavirtualmachinewith
arestricteduserinterfacecanonlypoweritonandoff,andthevirtualmachineboots
whenpoweredon.Whenthevirtualmachinehasasnapshotsetandisconfiguredto
returntothatsnapshotwhenpoweredoff,theusercanonlystartandpoweroffthe
virtualmachine.Thevirtualmachinealwaysstartsfromthesnapshot.
To restrict the user interface and return to a snapshot
1
Poweronthevirtualmachineandbesureitisintheappropriatestate.
Createasnapshot.
SeeTakeaSnapshotonpage 209.
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Chapter 17 Special-Purpose Configuration Options for Windows Hosts
Configurethevirtualmachinetoreturntothesnapshotanytimeitispoweredoff:
ChooseVM>Settings>Options>Snapshot/ReplayandselectAfterPowering
OffandReverttoSnapshot.
Withthevirtualmachinepoweredoff,restricttheuserinterface,asfollows:
a
ClosetheVMwareWorkstationwindow.
Openthevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)inatexteditor.
Addthefollowinglineanywhereinthefile.
gui.restricted = "TRUE"
(Optional)Setfilepermissionsontheconfigurationfiletogivenormalusersofthe
systemreadonlyaccesstothefile.
Createashortcuttotheconfigurationfileonthedesktopandnameit.
Runthisvirtualmachinebydoubleclickingtheshortcuttotheconfigurationfile.
Thevirtualmachinestartsatthesnapshot,withtheuserinterfacerestricted.Users
donothaveatoolbaroraccesstotheVM>Powermenuorthevirtualmachine
settingseditor.
ChooseFile>Close.
Thevirtualmachinepowersoff,andthenexttimeauserpowersiton,itreturnsto
thesnapshot.
Disable the Restricted User Interface

DisabletherestricteduserinterfacetomakeitemsintheVMmenuavailabletousers
again.
To disable the restricted user interface
1
PoweroffthevirtualmachineandclosetheVMwareWorkstationwindow.
Opentheconfigurationfile(.vmx)fileanddooneofthefollowing:
Setgui.restricted = "FALSE".
Removeorcommentoutthegui.restricted = "TRUE"line.
Savethechangestotheconfigurationfileandcloseit.
Startthevirtualmachinebydoubleclickingtheshortcut.
Thevirtualmachinestartsatthesnapshot,andtheinterfaceisnotrestricted.
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Making a Virtual Machine Always Use Full Screen Switch

Mode
FullscreenswitchmodeisaruntimeoptionforWorkstationonWindowshosts.When
Workstationisrunninginfullscreenswitchmode,theuserhasnoaccesstothe
Workstationuserinterface.Theusercannotcreate,reconfigure,orlaunchvirtual
machines.Asystemadministratorperformsthesefunctions.
WhenWorkstationisrunninginfullscreenswitchmode,oneormorevirtualmachines
canberunning,andyoucanusehotkeystoswitchfromonetoanother.Youcanalso
providehotkeyaccesstothehostoperatingsystem.
Specify Global Configuration Settings for Full Screen Switch

Mode
TorunWorkstationinfullscreenswitchmode,youmust,setoneormorepropertiesin
theWorkstationglobalconfigurationfile.
Theglobalconfigurationfileiscreatedwhenyouchangeanyofthedefaultsettingsin
theWorkstationpreferenceseditor(Edit>Preferences).Thefilelocationdependson
thehostoperatingsystem:
OnmostWindowshosts:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware
Workstation\config.ini
OnmostWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts:
c:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware Workstation\config.ini
To specify global configuration settings for full screen switch mode

1
Iftheconfig.inifiledoesnotyetexistonyourhostcomputer,chooseEdit>
Preferencesandchangeatleastoneofthesettingsinthepreferenceeditor.
Opentheconfig.inifilewithatexteditorandaddatleastoneofthefollowing
lines:
fullScreenSwitch.cycleHost = "TRUE"
Thissettingcausesthehostoperatingsystemtobeincludedwhenyouusea
hotkeyforcyclingthroughpoweredonvirtualmachines.SeeHotKeyfor
CyclingThroughVirtualMachinesandtheHostComputeronpage 375.
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FullScreenSwitch.hostDirectKey = "<value>"
Usethissettingtodefineahotkeyforswitchingdirectlytothehostoperating
system.SeeHostOperatingSystemHotKeyonpage 376.
(Optional)Specifyotherfullscreenswitchmodesettingsyouwanttouse.
Tospecifyhotkeysforswitchingtoothervirtualmachinesorthehostcomputer,
first,seethefollowingsections,intheorderlisted:
VirtualKeyCodesonpage 373
OtherEntriesintheGlobalConfigurationFileonpage 376
Setpermissionsonthisfilesothatotheruserscannotchangeit.
Openthepreferences.inifilewithatexteditorandaddthefollowinglines:
pref.fullScreen.v5 = "TRUE"
pref.autoFitFullScreen = "fitGuestToHost"
OnmostWindowshosts,thisfileislocatedin:
%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\VMware\preferences.ini
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts,thisfileislocatedin:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\VMware\preferences.ini
Tospecifyahotkeyforswitchingtoaspecificvirtualmachine,seeVirtualMachine
HotKeyonpage 376.
Virtual Key Codes

ToconfigurehotkeysforusewhenrunningWorkstationinfullscreenswitchmode,
youmustspecifythevirtualkeycodeforeachhotkey.Virtualkeycodesuse
hexadecimalformat,whichisahexadecimalnumberprecededby0x.Forexample,to
usethevirtualkeycodeof5Aasavalue,type0x5A.
Microsoftprovidesareferencelistofvirtualkeycodes.Toaccessthisreferencelist,
enterthekeywordvirtualkeycodesontheMSDNWebsite.
Thehotkeyentriesalsoincludemodifierkeys.ThemodifierkeysareCtrl,Alt,Shift,
andWindowskeys.TheWindowskeyisthekeybetweentheCtrlandAltkeys.Youcan
alsouseacombinationofthosekeys.Table 171liststhekeycodesformodifierkeys.
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Table 17-1. Modifier Keys for Hot-Key Entries

Modifier Key
Hexadecimal Value
Nomodifier
0x0
Alt
0x1
Ctrl
0x2
Shift
0x4
Win(Windows)
0x8
Ctrl+Alt
0x3
Alt+Shift
0x5
Ctrl+Shift
0x6
Ctrl+Alt+Shift
0x7
Win+Alt
0x9
Win+Ctrl
0xa
Win+Ctrl+Alt
0xb
Win+Shift
0xc
Win+Shift+Alt
0xd
Win+Shift+Ctrl
0xe
Win+Shift+Ctrl+Alt
0xf
Keepthefollowinglimitationsinmindwhendefiningcyclekeysandswitchkeys:
DonotusethePausekeywiththeCtrlkey.YoucanusethePausekeywithother
modifierkeys.
IfyouusetheF12key,youmustuseoneormoremodifierkeys.Youcannotusethe
F12keyalone.
YoucannotusecombinationsthatincludeonlytheShift,Ctrl,andAltkeys.These
keyscanbeusedonlyasmodifiersincombinationwithsomeotherkey.
Whenlistingakeyplusamodifier,typethevirtualkeycodeforthekeyfollowedbya
commaandtypethevalueforthemodifierkeyorkeys.Forexample,thevalueentry
forCtrl+Shift+F1is0x70,0x6.
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Hot Key for Cycling Through Virtual Machines and the Host
Computer
Youcanspecifyahotkeyorhotkeycombinationforcyclingthroughtheavailable
virtualmachinesonahostcomputerwhenrunningWorkstationinfullscreenswitch
mode.Hotkeysbehaveinthefollowingmanner:
Eachtimeyoupressthespecifiedhotkey,thenextvirtualmachineappearsin
order.Youcanalsoincludethehostoperatingsysteminthecycle.
Ifanyparticularvirtualmachineisnotrunning,itisskipped.
Ifonlyonevirtualmachineisrunningandthehostoperatingsystemisnot
includedinthecycle,pressingthehotkeyhasnoeffect.
Thehotkeyforcyclingthroughvirtualmachinesisdefinedintheglobalconfiguration
file(config.ini).Twooptionscontrolcycling:
FullScreenSwitch.cycleKey
Thevalueofthisoptiondefinesthehotkey.Itisspecifiedas<key>,<modifier>.
Ithasnodefault.Forexample,tousethePausekeywithnomodifiertocycle
throughvirtualmachines,addthefollowinglinetotheconfig.inifile,ormodify
itsvalueiftheoptionisalreadylisted:
FullScreenSwitch.cycleKey = "0x13,0x0"
FullScreenSwitch.cycleHost
SetthisoptiontoTRUEtoincludethehostoperatingsysteminthecycle.The
defaultisFALSE.Forexample,toincludethehostoperatingsysteminthecycle,
addthefollowinglinetotheconfig.inifile,ormodifyitsvalueiftheoptionis
alreadylisted:
FullScreenSwitch.cycleHost = "TRUE"
Hot Keys for Switching Directly to Virtual Machines and the Host
Computer
Youcanspecifyahotkeyorcombinationofhotkeysforswitchingdirectlytoany
availablevirtualmachineonahostcomputerwhenrunningWorkstationinfullscreen
switchmode.Eachtimeyoupressthespecifiedhotkey,thescreendisplayswitchesto
thatofthespecifiedvirtualmachine.Youcanalsospecifyahotkeyforswitching
directlytothehostoperatingsystem.
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Virtual Machine Hot Key

Youdefinethehotkeyusedtoswitchtoavirtualmachinebyaddingalocal
configurationsettinginthevirtualmachines.vmxfile.
Usethefollowingformat:
<option> = "<value>"
Entriesintheconfigurationfilescanappearinanyorder.Thevalueofthisoption
definesthehotkey.Itisspecifiedas<key>,<modifier>.Ithasnodefault.
Forexample,touseCtrl+Shift+F1toswitchtoaparticularvirtualmachine,addthe
followinglinetothatvirtualmachines.vmxfileormodifyitsvalueiftheoptionis
alreadylisted:
FullScreenSwitch.directKey = "0x70,0x6"
Ifanyparticularvirtualmachineisnotrunning,pressingthehotkeyforthatvirtual
machinehasnoeffect.
Host Operating System Hot Key

Youdefinethehotkeyusedtoswitchtothehostoperatingsystembyaddingalineto
theglobalconfigurationfile(config.ini).Thevalueofthisoptiondefinesthehotkey.
Itisspecifiedas<key>,<modifier>.Ithasnodefault.
Forexample,touseCtrl+Shift+F9toswitchtothehostoperatingsystem,addthe
followinglinetotheconfig.inifile,ormodifyitsvalueiftheoptionisalreadylisted:
FullScreenSwitch.hostDirectKey = "0x78,0x6"
Other Entries in the Global Configuration File

Theglobalconfigurationfile(config.ini)entriesinTable 172areoptional.They
enableyoutocontrolcertainfunctionsofthevirtualmachinethatareimportantin
workenvironmentswherevirtualmachinesneedtobeisolatedfromeachotherand
fromthehostcomputer.
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Table 17-2. Optional Global Configuration File Entries

Default
Setting
Option
Description
Isolation.tools.copy.disable
Thisoptiondetermineswhetherdatain
onevirtualmachineorthehostoperating
systemcanbecopiedtoanothervirtual
machineortothehostoperatingsystem.
TRUE
Isolation.tools.paste.disable
Thisoptiondetermineswhetherdata
copiedinonevirtualmachineorthehost
operatingsystemcanbepastedinto
anothervirtualmachineorthehost
operatingsystem.
TRUE
Isolation.tools.HGFS.disable
WhensettoTRUE,thisoptionspecifiesthat
foldersharingisdisabledbydefault.
Foldersharingisonemethodofsharing
filesamongvirtualmachinesandwiththe
hostcomputer.
TRUE
mks.CtlAltDel.ignore
SetthispropertytoTRUEsothatdialog
boxesusuallygeneratedbyMicrosoft
WindowsSecureAttentionSequence(SAS)
arenotdisplayedbutarepassedontothe
guestiftheguesthaskeyboardfocus.
mks.fullscreen.allScreenSaver
SetthispropertytoTRUEtoallowthehost
operatingsystemtorunitsscreensaver
whenitdeterminesthatthemachineis
idle.
msg.autoAnswer
SetthispropertytoTRUEtosuppressany
Workstationdialogboxesthatotherwise
appear.Thedefaultanswerisselectedin
thesedialogboxes.
Using vmware-fullscreen to Run a Virtual Machine

Usethevmware-fullscreencommandtorunWorkstationinfullscreenswitchmode
andtostartandstopvirtualmachinesonauserscomputer.Thecommandcanpass
certaininformationtothevirtualmachinewhenitstarts.
Asadministrator,youmustdecidehowtoissuethecommand.Forexample,youcan
useacustomapplicationorscriptrunningonthehostoperatingsystemtoissueoneor
morevmware-fullscreencommands.Oryoucanincludethecommandtostarta
virtualmachineinashortcutinthehostoperatingsystemsstartupgroup,sothevirtual
machinestartswhentheuserlogsintothehostcomputer.
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Issuethevmware-fullscreencommandonceforeachvirtualmachineyouwantto
startorstop.Thesyntaxforthiscommandis:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-fullscreen.exe [-poweron
<parameters> | -poweroff <parameters> | -exit | -switchto
<paramters> | -query | -listvms]
YoucantypethesecommandsattheWindowscommandpromptorcreatescriptsto
runmultiplecommands.
Table 173describestheavailableoptionsandparameters.
Table 17-3. Command-Line Options for the vmware-fullscreen Program
Option
Parameters
Description
-poweron
"<config-file>"
Powersonthevirtualmachine,where"<config-file>"
isrequiredandspecifiesthefullpathtothevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.
or
-fullscreen
With-poweron,theuserseesnoimmediateindication
whenthevirtualmachinestarts,buttheusercanswitchto
thevirtualmachinewithitsdirectswitchkeyorwiththe
cyclekey.
With-fullscreen,thevirtualmachinegoestofullscreen
modeimmediatelyinsteadofrunninginvisiblyuntilthe
userswitchestoitlater.
-s <variable>=<value>
(Optional)Setsthespecifiedvariabletothespecified
value.Anyvariablenamesandvaluesthatarevalidinthe
configurationfilecanbespecifiedonthecommandline
withthe-sswitch.
-name=<alias>
(Optional)Givesanaliastothevirtualmachine.Youcan
theusethataliasin-switchtoand-poweroff
commands.
-directkey=<keyspec>
(Optional)Specifiesthevirtualmachinesdirectswitch
key.Ifadirectswitchkeyisspecifiedinthevirtual
machinesconfigurationfile,thecommandlineoverrides
theconfigurationfile.Thefollowingisanexampleofthis
switch:
directkey=0x70,0x6
-poweroff
"<config-file>"
or
<alias>
-exit
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Powersoffthespecifiedvirtualmachine.Tospecifythe
virtualmachine,useeitherthefullpathtothevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)fileorthealiasifyou
definedonebyusingthe-nameswitch.
PowersoffallvirtualmachinesandexitsWorkstation.
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Table 17-3. Command-Line Options for the vmware-fullscreen Program (Continued)

Option
Parameters
Description
Dependingontheparameteryouuse,switchestothe
specifiedvirtualmachine,hostoperatingsystem,ornext
machine(virtualmachineorhost)inthecyclingorder.A
virtualmachinemustbepoweredonbeforeyoucan
switchtoit.
-switchto
"<config-file>"
Switchestothevirtualmachine,where
"<config-file>"specifiesthefullpathtothevirtual
machinesconfiguration(.vmx)file.
<alias>
Switchestothevirtualmachine,where<alias>specifies
thealiasyoudefinedbyusingthe-nameswitch.
host
Switchestothehostoperatingsystem.
next -qu
Switchestothenextmachineinthecyclingorder.
-query
DetermineswhetherWorkstationisrunninginfullscreen
switchmode.Ifso,alsodisplaystheprocessIDand
windowhandle.
-listvms
Listsallvirtualmachinesthatarecurrentlypoweredon.
Thelistisaddedtothevmware-fullscreenlogfile.
vmware-fullscreen Log File

Thevmware-fullscreenprogramwritestoalogfile.Thislogfilerecordserrors
reportedbyvmware-fullscreenasitstarts,stops,andpassesothercommandsto
Workstation.Itisseparatefromthevmware.logfile,whichstoresinformationonthe
runningvirtualmachines.
Thenameofthevmware-fullscreenlogfileisvmware-<username>-<pid>.log.By
default,thevmware-fullscreenlogfileisinthetempdirectoryfortheuserloggedin
tothehostcomputer.ThislocationmightbespecifiedintheTEMPenvironment
variable.Thedefaultlocationis:
OnWindowsXPhosts:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Temp
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7hosts:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\
Theadministratorcanspecifyadifferentlocationforthislogfilebyaddingthe
followinglinetotheWorkstationglobalconfigurationfile(config.ini):
fullScreenSwitch.log.filename="<path>"
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VMwarerecommendsusingafullpath.Ifyouusearelativepath,thelocationisrelative
tothedirectorythatisactivewhenthevmware-fullscreencommandisissuedforthe
firsttimeafterthehostcomputerreboots.
Guest ACPI S1 Sleep

WorkstationprovidesexperimentalsupportforguestoperatingsystemACPIS1sleep.
Notallguestoperatingsystemssupportthisfeature.Commonguestoperatingsystem
interfacesforenteringstandbyaresupported.
Bydefault,ACPIS1sleepisimplementedinWorkstationassuspend.Youcanusethe
WorkstationResumebuttontowaketheguest.
Withthefollowingentryintheconfiguration(.vmx)fileforavirtualmachine,ACPIS1
sleepisinsteadimplementedaspoweronsuspend:
chipset.onlineStandby = TRUE
Theguestoperatingsystemisnotfullypowereddown.Youcanawakenthevirtual
machineinthefollowingways:
Keyboardinput
Mouseinput
ProgrammingtheCMOSexternaltimer
Thisfeaturecanbeusefulfortestanddevelopmentscenarios.
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18
Learning the Basics of

VMware ACE
18
ThischapterprovidesanoverviewofhowtouseWorkstationtocreateanddeploy
virtualmachinesforendusers.ACE(AssuredComputingEnvironment)featuresare
availableonlyintheversionofWorkstationthatrunsonWindowshosts.Thischapter
BenefitsofUsingVMwareACEonpage 381
NetworkandDiskSpaceRequirementsfortheAdministrativeWorkstationon
page 384
OverviewofCreatingandDeployingACEPackagesonpage 385
OverviewoftheACEUserInterfaceonpage 386
TroubleshootingUsersProblemsonpage 387
Benefits of Using VMware ACE

VMwareACEisasoftwaresolutionthatenablesorganizationstodeployandmanage
secure,platformindependentvirtualmachinesthatenduserscanuseontheirwork
PC,personalcomputer,orevenaportableUSBmediadevice.Enduserscanbeeither
connectedtoordisconnectedfromtheenterprisenetwork.
VMwareACEenablessafeaccesstoenterpriseresourcesfromassuredcomputing
environments.TheseisolatedPCenvironmentsrunontopofexistingPCs.Theassured
computingenvironment(ACE)containsanoperatingsystem,enterpriseapplications,
andpreconfiguredsecuritysettings.
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Withvirtualrightsmanagement,builtincopyprotectioncontrols,andautomatic
encryption,VMwareACEhelpspreventtheft,tampering,andunauthorizedcopyingof
applications,data,systemsettings,andfiles.Administratorscanprotectdataand
ensurecompliancewithITpolicies,includingsoftwarelifecyclemanagementand
accesstodataandapplications.
Key Features of VMware ACE

ThekeyfeaturesofVMwareACEincludemanageability,security,andusability.
Manageability
CreatestandardizedhardwareindependentPCenvironmentsanddeploythemto
anyPCthroughouttheextendedenterprise.
Controlthevirtualmachineslifecycle,securitysettings,networksettings,system
configuration,anduserinterfacecapabilities.
Trackinstancesthroughtheuserinterface.Viewandmanagetheactivation,
expiration,andotherpoliciesofinstancesmanagedwithACEManagement
Server.
Security
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Rulesbasednetworkaccessletsyouidentifyandquarantineunauthorizedor
outofdateACEinstances.EnableaccesstothenetworkoncetheACEinstance
complieswithITpolicies.
TamperresistantcomputingenvironmentprotectstheentireACEinstanceand
package,includingdataandsystemconfiguration,withseamlessencryption.
Copyprotectedcomputingenvironmentpreventsusersfromcopyingenterprise
information.
RolesbasedSSLcommunicationprovidesasecureprotocolbetweentheACE
ManagementServerandclient.
ResourcesigningletsyouspecifythatACEResourcefilesbeprotectedfromall
tampering.
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Chapter 18 Learning the Basics of VMware ACE
Usability
Thecustomizableinterfaceletsyoucustomizethebehaviorandlookandfeelfor
users.
PocketACEletsyoustoreacomputingenvironmentonportabledevicessuchas
USBkeys(flashmemorydrives),AppleiPodmobiledigitaldevices,andportable
harddrives.Youcanplugtheportabledeviceintoanyx86PC.
Theflexiblecomputingenvironmentletsusersreverttoapreviousstatewithin
secondsandcanworkwhenconnectedordisconnectedfromtheenterprise
network.
VMware ACE Terminology

ThefollowingtermsareusedfrequentlyinthechaptersdescribingVMwareACE
features:
ACEenabledvirtualmachineAvirtualmachinetemplatethattheACE
administratorcreates.TheACEenabledvirtualmachinecanbeconfiguredwith
variouspolicies,devices,anddeploymentsettingsandthenusedasthebasisfor
creatinganynumberofpackagestobesenttoACEusers.
ACEinstanceThevirtualmachinethatACEadministratorscreate,associatewith
policies,andactivateonenduserscomputers.AnACEinstancethatismanaged
byACEManagementServerisamanagedACEinstance.AnACEinstancethatis
notmanagedbyACEManagementServerisastandaloneACEinstance.
(Optional)ACEManagementServerTheACEManagementServerenablesyou
tomanageACEinstances,topublishpolicychangestodynamicallyupdatethose
instances,andtotestanddeploypackagesmoreeasily.ACEManagementServer
addsnewintegrationwithActiveDirectorysetupsandprovidessecureActive
DirectoryandLDAPintegration,withrolebasedsecureSSLcommunication.
Formoreinformation,seetheVMwareACEManagementServerAdministrators
Guide.
PocketACEEnablesanadministratortobundleanddeployanACEinstance
ontoaUSBportablemediadevice,includingUSBflashdrives,AppleiPodmobile
digitaldevices,andportableharddrives.
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Network and Disk Space Requirements for the

Administrative Workstation
Asanadministrator,youuseWorkstationtocreateandmanagethevirtualmachines
youdistributetoendusers.Followingisalistofprerequisitesforthemachinethathosts
Workstation:
Ifyourcompanyalreadyhasalibraryofstandardvirtualmachines,youneed
networkaccesstothatlibraryfromyourhostcomputer.
Ifyouarecreatingvirtualmachines,youneedaccesstoinstallersfortheguest
operatingsystemsandapplicationsoftwarethatyouplantoinstallinthevirtual
machines.
YoucaninstalloperatingsystemsfromCDs,DVDs,ISOimagefilesonalocaldrive
oronthenetwork,oraPXEserver.YoucaninstallapplicationsoftwarefromCDs,
DVDs,orinstallersonalocaldriveoronthenetwork.
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Youneedtoprovideadequatediskspaceforvirtualmachinefilesandpackage
files.Thefilesforeachvirtualmachinecanbeaslargeasseveralgigabytes.The
packagefilescanalsobelarge.Thedefaultlocationforthepackagefilesisthe
Packages folderinsidethevirtualmachinesfolder.
Workstationneedsasubstantialamountoftemporaryworkingspacewhenit
createsapackage.Thetotaldiskspacerequiredisabouttwicethecombinedsizes
ofallthecomponentsofthepackage.TheNewPackagewizarddisplays
informationabouttheamountofspaceneededandthelocationswherethespace
isneeded.
WorkstationmustbeinstalledonaWindowshost.
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Overview of Creating and Deploying ACE Packages

Thefollowingisanoverviewofthetasksyoumustperformtocreate,deploy,and
manageACEinstances.
1
WithWorkstationonaWindowshost,createorcloneavirtualmachinethatmeets
therequirementsofyourendusers.
Theproceduresarethesameasforanyvirtualmachine.Forthenetworktype,
VMwarerecommendsusingNetworkAddressTranslation(NAT)orbridged
networkingwithanIPaddressaDHCPserverprovides.
Makesurethevirtualmachineispoweredoff,displaythesummaryviewforthe
virtualmachine,andclickEnableACEFeaturesintheCommandslist.
ACEspecificcommandsareaddedtotheCommandslistinthesummaryview,
andtheVM>ACEmenuisenabled.
UsetheVM>Settingsmenutoconfigurethevirtualmachine.
(Optional)UsetheACEOptionssettingspaneltoassociatethevirtualmachine
withanACEManagementServer.Youcanthenusetheservertoactivateandtrack
instancesandmakechangestopolicies,instancecustomizationdata,andother
dataforeachACEinstance.
BecausemanagedACEinstancescheckperiodicallyforupdates,theupdatesare
dynamic.Youdonotneedtocreateanddeploynewupdatepackages.Seethe
VMwareACEManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
Installaguestoperatingsystem,VMwareTools,andothersoftwareinthevirtual
machine.
Theproceduresarethesameasforanyvirtualmachine.Forguestoperating
systemsupport,knownissues,andinstallationinstructions,seetheonlineVMware
CompatibilityGuide.GototheVMwareWebsiteandselectResources>
CompatibilityGuides,andclicktheViewtheGuest/HostOStabontheVMware
CompatibilityGuideWebsitelink
SetpoliciesfortheACEinstance.
PoliciescontrolsuchthingsaswhatnetworkaccessendusershavefromACE
instancesandwhatdevicesontheirhostcomputerstheymayuseintheinstances.
SeeChapter 19,SettingandUsingPoliciesandCustomizingVMwarePlayer,on
page 389.
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SpecifydeploymentsettingsfortheACEinstance.
Deploymentsettingscontrolsuchthingsasencryption,packagelifetime,and
securityIDs.SeeChapter 20,DeployingACEPackages,onpage 435.
Createpackagestodeploytoendusers.
Workstationguidesyouthroughtheprocess.SeeCreatingaPackageon
page 449orChapter 21,PocketACE,onpage 457.
Distributepackagestoendusers.
DistributethepackagesonCD,DVD,orportablemedia,ormakethemavailable
onanetwork.SeeDeployPackagesonpage 456orDeployingtheACEPackage
onaPortableDeviceonpage 461.
InstallACEinstancesonendusersmachines.
SeeInstallingACEPackagesonpage 465orRunthePocketACEInstanceon
page 463.
YoucaninstallmultipleACEinstancesonthesamemachine.Theycanbefrom
differentvendorsandbegovernedbydifferentpolicies.Youcanalsouninstall
individualACEinstancesorWorkstationwhileleavingotherACEinstances
installed.
10 Keepusersuptodate.
Ifyouneedtoupdatetheguestoperatingsystem,updateaprogramrunning
insidetheACEinstance,orchangepoliciessetfortheACEpackage,youcancreate
anddistributeanewpackage.
Packageupdatesdonotupgradethevirtualmachineversion.Youcanuseapackage
updatetoprovideenduserswithVMwareACE2.6policies,buttheupdatepackage
doesnotupdateACEPlayerorthevirtualmachinetoversion2.6.
Overview of the ACE User Interface

Useanyofthefollowingmethodstoaccessthepolicyeditor,deploymentsettings
editor,andpackagingwizards:
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseacommandfromthe
VM > ACEmenu.
InthesummaryviewfortheACEenabledvirtualmachine,clickanACErelated
commandintheCommandslist.
TheACEtabinthesummaryviewliststhecurrentsettingsforpoliciesand
deployment.
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ClickabuttonintheACEtoolbar.
RightclicktheACEenabledvirtualmachineinthesidebarandchoosean
ACErelatedcommand.
ACEManagementServerhastwointerfaces:
InWorkstation,selectanACEManagementServerinthesidebartodisplaythe
instanceview.
UsetheVMwareHelpDeskapplication.Becausethisinterfaceisbrowserbased,
youcanuseitfrommachinesthatdonothaveWorkstationinstalled.
Bothinterfacesofferthesamebasicfunctionality.Administratorscanviewandcontrol
allmanagedACEinstances.Anadvancedsearchfunctionallowsyoutolocate
instancesinthedatabasequickly.Youcancustomizetheinterfacebyaddingsearchable
customfields.SeetheVMwareACEManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
Troubleshooting Users Problems

Endusersmightneedhelpwithlostpasswords,expiredACEinstances,or
copyprotectedACEinstancesthattheyhavemovedtoadifferentlocation.
Useoneofthefollowingmethodstofixthoseproblems:
ManagedACEinstancesUseACEManagementServer.SeetheVMwareACE
ManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
StandaloneACEinstancesUsethevmware-acetoolcommandlineprogramto
fixthoseproblemsdirectlyontheusersmachines.SeeUsingthevmwareacetool
CommandLineToolonpage 479.
Youcanalsousethehotfixfeaturetorespondtotheseproblems.SeeSetting
HotFixPoliciesforStandaloneACEInstancesonpage 421andRespondtoHot
FixRequestsonpage 481.
YoumightfinditusefultomodifytheconfigurationofanACEinstanceonan
enduserscomputer.Administratormodeenablesyoutoaccessandusethevirtual
machinesettingseditorwhenrunningtheACEinstancewithVMwarePlayeronthe
userscomputer.SeeSettingAdministratorModePoliciesonpage 419.
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19
Setting and Using Policies

and Customizing VMware
Player
19
ThischapterdescribeshowtosetpoliciesforanACEenabledvirtualmachineand
customizetheVMwarePlayerinterfaceforendusers.Thischapterincludesthe
followingtopics:
BenefitsofUsingPoliciesonpage 390
SetPoliciesforACEInstancesonpage 390
SettingAccessControlPoliciesonpage 391
SettingHosttoGuestDataScriptPoliciesonpage 397
SettingExpirationPoliciesonpage 399
SettingCopyProtectionPoliciesonpage 400
SettingResourceSigningPoliciesonpage 401
SettingNetworkAccessPoliciesonpage 402
SettingRemovableDevicesPoliciesonpage 411
SettingUSBDevicePoliciesonpage 412
SettingVirtualPrinterPoliciesonpage 414
SettingRuntimePreferencesPoliciesonpage 415
SettingSnapshotPoliciesonpage 418
SettingAdministratorModePoliciesonpage 419
SettingKioskModePoliciesonpage 420
SettingHotFixPoliciesforStandaloneACEInstancesonpage 421
SettingthePolicyUpdateFrequencyforManagedACEInstancesonpage 421
ControlWhichACEInstancesRunonaHostonpage 422
WritingPlugInPolicyScriptsonpage 424
CustomizingtheVMwarePlayerInterfaceonWindowsHostsOnlyonpage 428
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Benefits of Using Policies

PoliciesgiveyoucontrolovermanyaspectsoftheACEinstancesyoudistributetoend
users.Forexample,youcansetpoliciesforthefollowingsecuritypurposes:
PermittheACEinstancetobeusedonlybycertainusersandgroupsdefinedinan
ActiveDirectorydomain.
Specifywhichnetworkresourcesendusersmayaccessfromthevirtualmachine.
Permituserstoconnectanddisconnectcertainremovabledevicesconfiguredfor
thevirtualmachine.
SetanexpirationdateforanACEinstance.
Yousetpolicieswiththepolicyeditor.Youcanchangesomeorallofthepoliciesforan
ACEinstanceatanytimebyeditingthepoliciesandcreatinganddistributinganew
packagethatcontainsonlythepolicies.
ForACEenabledvirtualmachinesthatACEManagementServermanages,youcan
dynamicallychangesomepoliciesanddeploythosechangestotheACEinstanceson
usersmachines.
Set Policies for ACE Instances

PolicysettingsofferseverallevelsofsecurityfordailyuseofACEinstances.For
informationabouttheencryptionaspectofsecurity,seeEditDeploymentSettingson
page 435.
Beforeyoucanusethepolicyeditoronavirtualmachine,youmustenableACE
featuresforthatvirtualmachine.SeeOverviewofCreatingandDeployingACE
Packagesonpage 385.
To set policies for ACE instances
1
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>Policies.
Inthepolicyeditor,selectaniteminthePolicylist.
CompletethesettingspanelforthatpolicyandeitherclickOKorselectanother
policytoedit.
Forassistancewiththefieldsonasettingspanel,clickHelp.
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Chapter 19 Setting and Using Policies and Customizing VMware Player
Setting Access Control Policies

ActivationandauthenticationpoliciescontrolaccesstoinstalledACEpackagesandthe
instancescreatedfromthosepackages.Theactivationpolicyspecifieswhocanaccess
aninstalledACEpackageandturnitintoanACEinstance.Theauthenticationpolicy
specifieswhocanrunanACEinstance.
Thesettingsyouchooseforthesepoliciesdeterminethedefaultsettingsforpackage
andencryptionpolicies,whichprotecttheACEpackagesandfilesintransit.See
EncryptionSettingsonpage 436.
Thesettingsforthesepoliciesandhowtheyareimplementedvarydependingonhow
yourACEinstancesaremanagedand(optionally)tracked.Thepossiblemanagement
setupsare:
Server,withActiveDirectoryACEinstancesaremanagedbyanACE
ManagementServer,andtheserverisintegratedwithActiveDirectory.
AnendusermustenterActiveDirectoryusercredentialseachtimetheACE
instanceisrun.Onlytheuserwhoactivatestheinstancecanauthenticate(run)the
instance.TheactivationstepisperformedwheneveranACEpackageisinstalled.
Server,noActiveDirectoryACEinstancesaremanagedbyanACE
ManagementServer,andtheserverisnotintegratedwithActiveDirectory.
Theadministratorchooseswhethertheendusermustenterapasswordtoactivate
theACEinstanceandrunit.
StandaloneACEinstancesarestandalone,whichmeanstheyarenotmanaged
byaserver.
Theadministratorchooseswhethertheendusermustenterapasswordtoactivate
theACEinstanceandrunit.
IfyouuseACEManagementServer,theserveralsoverifiesthefollowingitemsbefore
theinstanceisallowedtorun:
Therevocationflagisnotsetandtheinstanceisnotblockedfromrunningbecause
ofanypolicyerrors.
Theexpirationdatesetfortheinstance,ifany,hasnotbeenreached.SeeSetting
ExpirationPoliciesonpage 399.
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Create or Edit an Access Control Policy

AfteryouenableACEfeaturesforavirtualmachine,youcancreateapolicytocontrol
whichenduserscanaccessaninstalledACEpackageandturnitintoanACEinstance.
ThispolicyalsocontrolswhichuserscanpoweronanACEinstance.
To create or edit an access control policy
1
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>Policies.
Inthepolicyeditor,selectAccessControlandcompletethefieldsinthesettings
panel.
ClickOK.
VerifythatthenewsettingsappearcorrectlyontheACEtabinthevirtual
machinessummaryview.
Ifyouchangeanactivationsetting,thepolicytakeseffectwhenanewinstance
fromthispackageisinstalledandactivated.Youcanalsoeditanimported
keywordlist.
(Optional)Tochangetheauthenticationsettingfromonetypetoanother,createa
policyupdatepackageanddistributeittotheuser.
Activation Settings
UseactivationsettingstocontrolwhichuserscanactivateanACEinstanceafteritis
installed.Theactivationdateisusedfortheexpirationpolicy.
IfyouuseanACEManagementServerwithActiveDirectory,thecontrolsinthe
ActivationsectionenableyoutoopentheActiveDirectoryUsersandGroupsdialog
box.ThemachineonwhichWorkstationrunsmustbeinthesamedomainforwhich
theACEManagementServerisconfigured.Userlistchangesareeffectiveatthenext
startupoftheinstance.
IfyoudonotuseActiveDirectoryorifyouarecreatingstandaloneACEinstances,the
settingspanelincludesthefollowingoptionsforactivationpasswordsorkeys:
NoneNopasswordorkeyisrequired.Anyusercanactivatethisinstance.
PasswordTheusermustenterthepasswordthattheadministratorusesto
activatethisACEinstance.Youmustprovidetheuserwiththepasswordthrough
emailorothermeans.
ForstandaloneACEenabledvirtualmachines,yousetthepasswordduringthe
packagingprocess.
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ActivationkeyThisoptionisavailableifyouuseACEManagementServer
withoutActiveDirectoryintegration.Youspecifyoneormorekeysandtheend
usermustenterakeythatisinthatlist.
Activationkeysareserialnumbers(freeformstrings)thatcanbetrackedasused
orunusedbytheserver.Youcanenterthekeysorimportthemfromatextfile.
Toimportkeys,youneedatextfilethatcontainsthelistofactivationtokens.Each
tokenisonelineinthefile.Blanklinesareignored.
ForanACEenabledvirtualmachine,Allowmultipleactivationsperkeyis
selectedbydefault.TorestrictallowingmultipleactivationofanACEenabled
virtualmachineperkey,deselectthisoption.
Authentication Settings
Theauthenticationstepisperformedwhenevertheuserrunstheinstance,unless
AuthenticationissettoNone.
IfyouuseACEManagementServerwithActiveDirectory,thecontrolsinthe
AuthenticationsectionenableyoutoopentheActiveDirectoryUsersandGroups
dialogbox.ThemachineonwhichWorkstationrunsmustbeinthesamedomainthat
whichACEManagementServerisconfiguredfor.
IfyoudonotuseActiveDirectoryorifyouarecreatingstandaloneACEinstances,the
settingspanelincludesthefollowingoptionsforauthenticationcontrol:
NoneNopasswordisrequired.Anyusercanrunthisinstanceafteritis
activated.
UserspecifiedpasswordTheinstancedoesnotrununtiltheuserentersthe
correctpassword.Eachusermustsetapasswordduringactivation,thefirsttime
theinstanceispoweredon.
Youcancreatepasswordpoliciestocontrolsuchthingsastheminimumnumber
ofcharacters,typesofcharacters,andnumberofpasswordattemptsbeforethe
userislockedoutforaspecifiedamountoftime.
ScriptAcustomauthenticationscriptisruntodeterminewhocanusethe
instance.SeeUsinganAuthenticationScriptonpage 394.
AuthenticateagainwhenhostresumesfromsuspendstateEnablesordisables
authenticationforACEinstancesifthehostisresumedfromasuspendedstate.
ThisoptionisavailableforstandaloneACEinstance,managedACEinstance
withoutActivedirectory,andmanagedACEinstancewithActivedirectory.
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Using an Authentication Script

Youcancreateacustomauthenticationscriptthatrunsontheenduserscomputerto
determinewhocanusetheinstance.
Torequirethattheusersignsthescriptbeforedeploymenttopreventtampering,seta
resourcesigningpolicy.SeeSettingResourceSigningPoliciesonpage 401.
Forinstructionsoncreatinganddeployingthescript,seeSpecifyaScriptanda
CommandtoRunItonpage 398.
Include a Power-On and Power-Off Script in the Package

YoucanprovideascriptthatrunswhenanACEinstancepowersonthatdetermines
whethertheACEinstancecanberun.YoucanprovideascriptthatrunswhenanACE
instancepowersofftoresetanychangesmadetothehostfromapoweronscript,reset
authenticationsettings,orperformotherproceduresastheinstancepowersoff.
Torequirethattheusersignsthescriptbeforedeploymenttopreventtampering,seta
resourcesigningpolicy.SeeSettingResourceSigningPoliciesonpage 401.
Thepoweronorpoweroffscriptprovidesacustomizablewayofcontrollingaccessto
anACEinstanceinadditiontotheauthenticationpolicy.
To include a power-on and power-off script in the package
1
CreatethescriptandsaveitintheACE Resourcesfolder.
Ontheaccesscontrolpolicypage,selectScriptandclickPoweron/offscripts.
Selectoneorbothcheckboxesforthescriptsyouwanttorun.
ClickSettospecifythepathtothescriptandenterthecommandtorunthescript.
Ifyouareenablingapoweronorpoweroffscriptafteryoudeployedpackages,
provideanupdatepackageoracustompackagefortheACE Resourcesdirectory.
Whenthescriptrunsontheuserssystem,thescriptprintsTRUEforpoweronor
FALSEforpoweroff.Itmustalsoconformtostandardscriptexitcoderules.The
followingisanexampleofapoweronscript:
# VMware Sample Script
#
#
Sample script for ACE power-on hook
#
#
Description:
#
This sample script implements a power-on hook for ACE. This can be used
#
in addition to authentication to control the circumstances under which an
#
ACE is allowed to run.
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#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
This script assumes that the username is defined in the environment

variable TEST_USERNAME (a ficticious environment variable used for this
sample) and returns TRUE if the user is allowed to run, and FALSE
otherwise.
Input to script:
None.
Returns:
TRUE if username is on white list.
FALSE if username is not on white list or is undefined.
Expected output:
One of the strings "TRUE" or "FALSE"
my @white_list = ("alan", "bob", "mary", "sonia", "chris");

my $username = $ENV{TEST_USERNAME};
if (! defined $username) {
print "FALSE";
exit(0);
}
my @grepNames = grep(/$username/, @white_list);
if (@grepNames == 1) {
print "TRUE";
exit(0);
}
print "FALSE";
exit(0);
Scriptscanbeinanylanguage.Forexample,youcanusea.batfileonWindows
operatingsystemsorperlorshonLinuxoperatingsystems.Ascriptprovides
WorkstationwithacommandlineexecutablefileorascriptfileintheACE Resources
directory.Theguidelinesascriptmustfollowdependonwhichpolicythescriptis
implementing.
Thescriptmustexitwitha0(zero)valuetobeconsideredasuccess.Anyotheroutput
resultsinfailure.Uponsuccess,thestdoutoutputofthescriptisexamined.Foragiven
policy,thisshouldbeaspecificvaluesuchasTRUEorFALSE.Forapoweronscript,
outputshouldbeTRUEorFALSE.Theauthenticationscriptoutputisusedasa
password.Thehosttoguestdatascriptisastringinaparticularformatsuchas
guestinfo.var1="value1"\nguestinof.var2="value2".
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Set a Recovery Key for Encrypted ACE Instances

YoucanspecifythekeytobeusedforaccesstoencryptedACEinstances.Thiskey
enablesyoutoresetthepasswordforadeployedACEinstance,activateanexpired
instance,andrunacopyprotectedinstance.
To set a recovery key for encrypted ACE instances
1
Ontheaccesscontrolpolicypage,clickRecoverykey.
IntheRecoveryKeydialogbox,selectUserecoverykey.
TouseanexistingPEMformatkeypair,clickBrowseforExistingKeyand
navigatetothepublickeyofthepairtouse.
TocreateaPEMformatkeypair,clickCreateNewRecoveryKeyand
completethedialogboxthatappears.
ClickOKtogeneratethekeys.
Afterseveralseconds,thenewlygeneratedpublickeyislistedinthefieldonthe
RecoveryKeytab.Thetwopartsofthekeyarestoredinthelocationyouindicated,
withthenamesyouspecifiedfollowedbytheextensions.pubforthepublickey
and.privfortheprivatekey.
Recordtheprivatekeypasswordandlocationoftheprivatekeyfilesothatyoucan
supplyitifyouneedtoresetapassword.
Set Activation Limit

TheactivationlimitisthemaximumnumberofACEinstancesthatcanbeactivated
fromthespecifiedACEenabledvirtualmachine.Thisoptionisavailableifyouuse
ACEManagementServer.
To set an activation limit
1
Ontheaccesscontrolpolicypage,underActivationlimit,inTotalnumberof
activations,choosehowmanyinstancescanbeactivatedfromthisACEenabled
virtualmachine.
Youcanusethedropdownmenuortypeinanumber.
SelectAllowmultipleactivationperusertoallowusersmultipleactivationofthe
ACEenabledvirtualmachine.
ThisoptionisavailableforanACEinstancemanagedbyACEManagementServer
withActiveDirectory.
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Active Directory Password Change Proxying

YoucanprovideadditionalsecurityforyourACEinstancesbyintegratingwithActive
Directory.
Youcanspecifypasswordexpirationandchangerequirements,setupthedomainto
expirepasswords,andrequirepasswordchangesperiodically.Thesesettingsarein
additiontoACEaccesscontrolpolicysettings.
IncasesinwhichActiveDirectoryusersneedtochangetheirpasswords,youcan
configureACEManagementServerasanActiveDirectorypasswordchangeproxy.In
thismode,ACEManagementServermakesthepasswordchangerequesttotheActive
Directorydomaincontrollerontheusersbehalf.
Setting Host to Guest Data Script Policies

YoucanprovideahosttoguestdatascriptthatrunswhentheACEinstanceispowered
on.Itpassesvaluestotheguest.Usethispolicysettingtosharespecifichost
informationwiththeguestoperatingsystemwhentheACEinstanceispoweredon.
Thescript,whichrunsonthehost,shouldoutputasetofkeyvaluepairs,which
becomeavailabletotheapplicationsthatarerunninginsidetheguest.TheVMware
Toolsserviceprovidesthisability.Thesetofacceptablekeysconsistsofmachine.id
andkeysprefixedwithguestinfo,suchasguestinfo.ipAddress.
Keyscancontainalphanumericcharactersandsymbols,includingtheperiod(.),
underscore(_),backslash(\)andpipe(|)characters.Thenewline,#,space,and
forwardslash(/)charactersareinvalidforthekey.Valuescancontainalphanumeric
characters.The#,space,andpipe(|)charactersareinvalidforthekey.Anykeyvalue
pairthatcontainsinvalidcharactersisignoredsilently.
Sincespacesareinvalid,usingaphraselikeMy Documentsaspartofafolderpathvalue
doesnotwork.Instead,enclosethephraseinquotationmarks:MyDocuments
Alternatively,youcanusetheshort8.3DOSname(inthiscase,mydoc~1),whichdoes
notcontainaspace.Toobtaintheshort8.3DOSnamesforthesubdirectoriesina
directory,enterdir /x atthecommandprompt.
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To query key values that have already been set

FromaWindowsguest,enterthefollowingatacommandprompt:
cd "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools"
vmtoolsd.exe --cmd "machine.id.get"
vmtoolsd.exe --cmd "info-get guestinfo.<key_to_query>"
vmtoolsd.exe --cmd "info-get guestinfo.script_status"
FromaLinuxguest,enterthefollowingatacommandprompt:
vmtoolsd --cmd "machine.id.get"
vmtoolsd --cmd "info-get guestinfo.<key_to_query>"
vmtoolsd --cmd "info-get guestinfo.script_status"
IftheACEenabledvirtualmachineforaninstanceisconfiguredforbothWindowsand
Linuxplatforms,youcanprovidescriptsforbothWindowsandLinuxsystems.
Changestoascriptrequirethatyoudeployanupdatepackagethatincludesthenew
script.
Forinstructionsoncreatinganddeployingthescript,seeSpecifyaScriptanda
CommandtoRunItonpage 398.
Specify a Script and a Command to Run It

Theprocedureforusingauthenticationscriptsandhostguestdatascriptsisidentical.
Usethisprocedureforthefollowingscripts:
AccesscontrolauthenticationscriptCustomauthenticationscriptthatrunson
theenduserscomputertodeterminewhocanusetheACEinstance.
IfyouplantousethescriptwithaPocketACEthatwillrunonbothWindowsand
Linuxhosts,makesurethatthescriptoutputsonbothplatformsareexactlythe
same,includingcharactersforlineendingsornewlines.
HostguestdatascriptScriptforsharinghostinformationsuchasthehost
machineIDandIPaddresswithapplicationsthatrunontheguest.
To specify a script and a command to run it
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CreatethescriptandsaveitintheACE Resourcesdirectoryinsidethevirtual
machinesdirectory.
InWorkstation,selecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>
Policies.
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Inthepolicyeditor,dooneofthefollowing:
Ifthescriptisacustomauthenticationscript,selectAccessControlandinthe
Authenticationsection,selectScriptandclickSetScript.
Ifthescriptisforpassinghostinformationtotheguest,selectHostGuest
DataScript,selectRunahostguestscriptatpoweron,andclickSet.
Inthedialogboxthatappears,browsetothescriptfileandclickOpen.
IfthedeploymentplatformsettinginthedeploymentsettingseditorissettoBoth
WindowsandLinux,thisdialogboxcontainstextfieldsforbothWindowsand
Linux.
Typethecommandforrunningthescript.
Includethescriptfileinthecommandline,aswellasanyneededexecutablefile
forrunningthescriptandanyargumentstothescript.
(Optional)SelectTimeoutandtypeatimeoutintervalinseconds,incasethescript
doesnotruntocompletion.
Theuserisdeniedaccessifthetimeoutintervalelapsesbeforethescriptrunsto
completion.
ClickOK.
IfyouareenablingthisscriptforanACEenabledvirtualmachinethatyoualready
deployed,dooneofthefollowing:
Forstandaloneinstances,includethescriptintheupdatepackageyou
distributetoendusers.
Formanagedinstances,useapolicyandserverupdatepackageoracustom
packagethatincludestheACE Resourcesdirectorytoprovideenduserswith
thescript.
Setting Expiration Policies

Expirationpoliciesareuseful,forinstance,ifyouwanttopreventacontractemployee
fromusingavirtualmachinepastacertaindateorformorethanacertainnumberof
days.
Whenaninstanceexpires,thefilesremainontheuserscomputer,buttheinstance
cannotbeused.Thisway,theusercanrequestanextensiontotheexpirationdate.
Ifyouspecifyadaterange,theinstancecanbepoweredonandrunnoearlierorlater
thanthestartandenddates.YoucandeployACEinstanceswithexpireddateranges.
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Youcanalsosetandcustomizeawarningmessagethatappearseachtimeaninstance
powersonastheexpirationdateapproaches.Anexpirationmessageappearswhenthe
instanceexpiresandtheinstancecannolongerbepoweredon.
AstandaloneACEinstancehasthesameexpirationpolicyasallinstancescreatedfrom
thecorrespondingACEpackage.Thefixedexpirationdateorthefixeddaterangeis
establishedatactivationtime.Eachtimetheuserpowersontheinstance,thedateor
daterangeischecked.Expirationchecksarealsoperformedwhiletheinstanceis
running.Iftheexpirationisreached,anexpirationmessageappearsandtheinstanceis
suspended.
WithamanagedACEinstance,theexpirationpolicyworkssimilarlyasforstandalone
instances,buttheexpirationpolicyvaluecanbespecifiedforindividualinstances.A
validdaterangeforanACEenabledvirtualmachineappliestoeachofitsassociated
ACEinstancesuntilaninstanceisindividuallyconfiguredwithitsowndaterange.
Afterthatconfiguration,anychangestotheACEenabledvirtualmachinesexpiration
policydonotaffecttheinstance.Allexpirationvalues,bothforACEenabledvirtual
machinesandforallACEinstances,aredynamic.Thismeansthatafteryouchangethe
valueandpublishthepolicyupdatetoACEManagementServer,ACEinstancesgetthe
newvaluethenexttimetheycheckforpolicyupdates.
Setting Copy Protection Policies

CopyprotectionpoliciesensurethatanACEinstancerunsonlyfromthelocation
whereitwasoriginallyinstalled.IfyoucopyprotectanACEinstance,itsfilescanbe
movedorcopied,buttheinstancecannotrunfromthenewlocation.
ForstandaloneACEinstances,youcanspecifywhethercopyingandmovingare
allowed.FormanagedACEinstances,youcanspecifywhetherbothcopyingand
movingareallowedorwhetheronlymovingisallowed.Inthiscase,onlyonecopyof
theACEinstanceisallowedtorunatatime.
IftheusermovesorcopiesacopyprotectedACEinstanceandtriestorunit,anerror
messageappears.Itlistsanalphanumericstringthattheusercansendtothesystem
administratororhelpdeskassistanttogetthecopyprotectionchanged.
Formanagedinstances,youcanalsodynamicallychangethecopyprotectionsettings,
switchingthesettingssothatmovedorcopiedinstanceswillrunornotrun.Thismeans
thatafteryouchangethevalueandpublishthepolicyupdatetoACEManagement
Server,ACEinstancesgetthenewvaluethenexttimetheycheckforpolicyupdates.
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EveryACEinstancehasacopyprotectionidentifier(CPID)thatcontainsthepathtothe
ACEinstanceonthehostfilesystem.ForstandardACEinstances,theCPIDalso
containsthesystemsBIOSID.ForPocketACEinstances,theCPIDcontainsthefile
systemID.Ifcopyprotectionison,WorkstationcomparesthecurrentCPIDwiththe
storedCPID.Iftheydonotmatch,theinstancewasmovedorcopied.
ForstandaloneACEinstances,youcansettheCPIDbyusingvmware-acetoolorby
sendinghotfixes(onWindowssystems,ifhotfixesareenabled).SeeUsingthe
vmwareacetoolCommandLineToolonpage 479andRespondtoHotFixRequests
onpage 481.
FormanagedACEinstances,theCPIDisstoredontheserverandtheadministratorcan
updateit.SeetheACEManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
Setting Resource Signing Policies

YoucansettheresourcesigningpolicysothatanACEinstancecannotberunif
resourcefiles,suchaspolicyscriptsorcustomEULAtextfiles,aretamperedwith.
AresourceisconsideredanyfileintheACE Resourcessubdirectoryinthevirtual
machinedirectoryontheWorkstationhost.Filesthatareputinthisdirectoryonthe
endusersmachinearenotresourcesinthissenseandarenotsignaturechecked.
Signaturecheckingisperformedontheendusersmachineatpoweronandthenevery
timeascriptisrun.YoucanspecifywhethertoverifyallfilesintheACE Resources
directoryorjustthepolicyscriptsinthatdirectory.
Ifyouarecreatingapackagethathassubstantialresources,suchaslargefilesorlarge
numbersoffiles,signaturecheckingmighttakealongtime.Inthiscase,consider
verifyingscriptsonlyornotusingresourcesigning.
NOTEIfyousettheencryptionpackagesettingoptionstoNone,anyverification
specifiedintheresourcesigningpolicyisnotperformed.Theencryptionpackage
settingoverridestheresourcesigningpolicy.SeeEncryptionSettingsonpage 436.
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Setting Network Access Policies

Thenetworkaccessfeatureusesapacketfilteringfirewalltoenableyoutospecify
whichmachinesorsubnetsanACEinstanceoritshostsystemmayaccess.Thismeans
thatyoucan,forexample,configuretheinstancesothatitisallowedtoconnectonlyto
yourVPNserver,whichthencontrolsaccesstootherresources.
Youcanalsocustomizethenetworkaccesssettingstofilteronthebasisofnetwork
addresses,trafficdirection,protocol,andports.Youcansetthefollowingtypesof
networkaccessrestrictiondefinitions:
Networkzones
NetworkaccessforanACEinstanceshostmachine(alsoknownashostnetwork
access)
NetworkaccessforanACEinstancesguestoperatingsystem(alsoknownas
guestnetworkaccess)
NetworkaccesspoliciescanbedynamiciftheACEinstanceisassociatedwithanACE
ManagementServer.ThismeansthatafteryoupublishapolicyupdatetoACE
ManagementServer,ACEinstancesgetthenewpolicythenexttimetheycheckfor
policyupdates.YoucanquicklylockACEinstancesoutofallorpartofyournetwork
tohelpcombatthespreadofawormorviruswithoutdeployingupdatepackages.See
theVMwareACEManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
Before You Begin Setting Host Policies

Usethefollowingguidelinesasyouplannetworkaccesspolicies:
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AhostmachineforACEinstancescanhaveonlyonehostpolicyfile.Ifyoutryto
installanACEpackagewithahostpolicyfileonamachinethatalreadyhasa
differenthostpolicyfile,installationofthenewpackagefails.
AhostpolicyisineffectevenwhennoACEinstancesarerunning.Thepolicystarts
immediatelyafterinstallationandstartsworkingeverytimethehostsystemboots.
Anyrestrictionsonthehostsnetworkaccessalsorestrictnetworkaccessforan
ACEinstancethatusesNATnetworking,becausetheNATconnectionisaffected
byallthepoliciesyouapplytothehost.Ifyousetuprestrictedhostaccessbyusing
theACEruleseteditorandruleseditorratherthantheNetworkAccesswizard,
configuretheACEenabledvirtualmachinesvirtualNICstousebridged
networking.
IfyouaresettingupamanagedACEenabledvirtualmachine,youmustallowthe
hosttoaccessACEManagementServer,communicatingthroughTCPoverthe
appropriateportthatyouconfigure.
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HostpoliciesdonotapplytoPocketACEinstances.Ifyouspecifyarestrictedhost
policyforanACEenabledvirtualmachineandthencreateaPocketACEpackage
withthatACEenabledvirtualmachine,thepackageiscreatedbutthehostpolicy
isnotincludedinthepackage.
Youcannotviewchangestohostpoliciesinthepreviewmode.Ifyouwanttotest
theeffectsofsuchchanges,youmustperformatestdeployment.SeeChapter 20,
DeployingACEPackages,onpage 435.
Use the Network Access Wizard to Configure Network Access

VMwarerecommendsthatyouusetheNetworkAccesswizardtoconfigurebasic
settingsandthenusethezoneeditorandruleseteditortofinetunethesettingsif
necessary.TheNetworkAccesswizardisinitiatedwhenyouclickQuickSetup.
TheNetworkAccesswizardcreatesorchangesrulesforthefollowingzones:
IfyouchoosetheDesktopConfigurationoption,thewizardcreatesanewguest
accessrulesetfortheEverywherezone.ThisrulesetrestrictsACEinstanceaccess
toyourVPNorotherspecifiednetworkhosts.
IfyouchoosetheLaptopConfigurationoption,thewizardcreatesanewinternal
zonethatrestrictsthenetworkaddressand,optionally,thedomainonwhichthe
ACEinstancecanrun.Itcanalsocreateanewhostaccessrulesetforthiszoneto
restrictaccesstotheinternalnetwork.Forexample,youcanspecifyaproxyserver.
Finally,youcanconfigurethesameremoteaccessfortheDesktopConfiguration
option.
Ifyouusethisoptionandyoudonotmodifyanyofthedefaultsettingsthatthe
wizardprovides,thehostisstillallowedtocommunicatewithDNSandDHCP
serverssothatthezonedetectionmechanismcanfunctionproperly.
To use the Network Access wizard to configure network access

1
Inthepolicyeditor,selectNetworkAccess.
SelectRestrictnetworkaccessoftheACEinstanceand/oritshostandclick
Quick Setup.
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Completethewizard.
Dependingonwhichconfigurationtypeyouchoose,anewzonemightbeadded
totheNetworkAccesssettingspanel,andnewrulesetsmightappearinthe
Host NetworkAccessandGuestNetworkAccesscolumnsinthetable.
(Optional)Tovieworeditthezonesorrulesetsyoucreatedwiththewizard,click
thezoneorrulesetnameinthetableontheNetworkAccesssettingspanel.
WhenyouusetheNetworkAccesswizardtocreateaninternalzone,choosingthe
LaptopConfigurationoptionenablesyoutospecifythenetworkaddress,domain,and
subdomains.IfyouwanttoalsoconfigureDNS,DHCP,WINS,orgatewayservers,use
thezoneeditor.SeeGuidelinesforSpecifyingZoneConditionsonpage 404.
Guidelines for Specifying Zone Conditions

Zoneconditionsdescribethecharacteristicsofanetworkzone.Workstationexamines
thenetworksthataredirectlyconnectedtonetworkadaptersonthehostcomputerto
seeifamatchexistsforallthecriteriaforanyadapterinanyofthezonedefinitions.
ThezoneeditorappearswhenyouclickanameintheZonescolumnoftheNetwork
Accesspolicypage.Itshowsthefollowingdetailsaboutthezone:
Youcanspecifyazonebyusinguptosixconditions:
Domain
Subnet
DNSservers
DHCPservers
Gatewayservers
WINSservers
Foramatchtooccur,allspecifiedconditionsmustbemet.
Allzoneconditionsexceptthedomainconditionallowuserstospecifyalistof
addresses.Thematchismadeifthehostsaddressmatchesanyoftheaddresslist
entriesinaspecifiedcondition.
Whenthehostconnectstoanetwork,acheckisperformedtodeterminewhetherthe
networkmatchestheconditionsforazone.Thecheckingstartswiththetopmostzone
inthetableandcontinuesdownthetableuntilamatchismadeortheEverywhereElse
zoneisreached.Whenamatchismade,thezonecheckingstopsandfilterrulesforthat
zoneareapplied.
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Therearetradeoffsbetweenusingshorterandlongerlistsofconditions.Ifyouusea
longerlist,youminimizethechancesofafalsepositiveresultoramisidentification.
Minimizingthechanceofafalsepositiveresultoramisidentificationcanbeimportant
ifyouareprovidinganACEpackagetosomeonewhoconnectsahostcomputerto
multiplenetworksatdifferenttimes.Ifoneoftheothernetworksmatchesthe
characteristicsyoudefineinthezonedefinition,thehostandinstanceaccesspolicies
areapplied,evenifthehostisnotconnectedtoyournetwork.
Insomecases,however,usingalongerlistmightalsoincreasethelikelihoodthatauser
couldcircumventthedetectionmechanism.Forexample,suchanerrormightbemade
ifyouswitchthehosttouseastaticIPaddressinsteadofDHCPandconfigurethehost
withonlyasubsetofthecharacteristicsdefinedforyourzone,suchasonlynetwork
address,ornetworkaddressandDNSserverinformation.
Alsoconsiderthattheaddressesornamesofcertainserverscanchangeovertime.
Such changescanalsointroducedetectionissues.
Usingasmallersetofinformationinazonedescription,suchasonlythenetwork
addressandthesubnetmask,issafer.Thedisadvantageisthatitincreasesthechance
thatafalsepositiveormisidentificationcanoccur.Suchfalsepositivesareespecially
likelyifyournetworkisusingacommonnetblock,suchas10/8,172.16/12,or
192.168/16,thatisalsousedbyothernetworks.
Descriptions of the Zone Condition Settings

Eachzonedescriptionmustcontainoneormoreofthefollowingsettingoptions
describingtheconditionsofthezone:
DomainSpecifiesthedomainnameofthenetwork,suchasmycompany.com.
Enteronlyonedomainname.ThevalueofAllowsubdomainsofthisdomain
governstheinterpretationofthisoption.
AllowsubdomainsofthisdomainModifiestheDomainoption.Itspecifies
whether,fortheDomainzoneconditiontobemet,adomainnamemustexactly
matchthedomainnamespecifiedintheDomainboxorwhetheramatchofthe
domainnameismadeanytimethestringcontains<domain_name>.Forexample,
ifthisoptionisselected,corp.mycompany.comisconsideredamatchfor
mycompany.com.Ifthisoptionisnotselected,corp.mycompany.comisnot
consideredamatchformycompany.com.
NetworkaddressSpecifiesanIPaddressorsubnetrangethatthenetworkuses.
Thevalueof<subnet>,ifyouincludeasubnetrange,mustbethenumberofbits
inthenetmask.Anetworkadaptermatchesthisconditionifitisusingan
IP addressthatlieswithinanyofthespecifiedranges.
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DNSserversSpecifiesoneormoreIPaddressesorhostnamesforDNSservers
onthenetwork.Anetworkadaptermatchesthisconditionifitisusingatleastone
oftheseservers.
IfthevalueoftheMatchatleastoptionisgreaterthan1,thehostmustbeusing
thespecifiednumberofDNSserversonthelistbeforeanetworkadapteris
consideredtobeonthedefinednetwork.
BecausemultiplemethodsexistforassigningDNSdomainnamestoaLinuxhost,
usingjusttheDNSdomainnametodefineazonecanbeerrorprone.Todefinea
zoneforaLinuxhost,usecriteriainadditiontotheDNSdomainnames.
ForWebsites,aDNSdomainnamemightresolvetomorethanoneaddress.To
ensurethatthezoneisdefinedexactlyasyouintend,entereachIPaddress,rather
thanjusttheDNSdomainname.
DHCPserversSpecifiesoneormoreIPaddressesorhostnamesforDHCP
serversonthenetwork.Anetworkadaptermatchesthisconditionifitisusingat
leastoneoftheseservers.
GatewayserversSpecifiesoneormoreIPaddressesorhostnamesfordefault
gatewaysonthenetwork.Anetworkadaptermatchesthisconditionifitisusing
atleastoneofthesegateways.
WINSserversSpecifiesoneormoreIPaddressesorhostnamesforWINSservers
onthenetwork.Anetworkadaptermatchesthisconditionifitisusingatleastone
oftheseservers.LinuxhostsignoreWINSserversettingsduringzonedetection.
IfthevalueoftheMatchatleastoptionisgreaterthan1,thehostmustbeusing
thespecifiednumberofWINSserversonthelistbeforeanetworkadapteris
consideredtobeonthedefinednetwork.
Add or Edit a Network Zone

Usethezoneeditortoconfigurethenetworkaddress,domain,DNS,DHCP,WINS,or
gatewayserversthatanACEinstancecanusefornetworkconnections.
Beforeyouopenthezoneeditor,determinewhatcriteriatouseforconnectingto
internalandexternalnetworks.SeeGuidelinesforSpecifyingZoneConditionson
page 404andDescriptionsoftheZoneConditionSettingsonpage 405.
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To add or edit a network zone

1
Inthepolicyeditor,selectNetworkAccessanddooneofthefollowing:
Toaddazone,clickAddZoneandclicktheNewZoneentrythatappearsin
thetable.
Toeditazone,clickthenameofthezoneintheZonescolumnofthetable.
CompletethefieldsinthezoneeditorthatappearsandclickOK.
Using the Ruleset Editor to Configure Host and Guest Access

EachaccesssettingforanACEinstanceshostmachineandfortheACEinstancesguest
systemisbasedonasetofaccessrules.WheneveryouusetheNetworkAccesswizard,
adefaultrulesetisusedforhostandguestnetworkaccess.Youcanusetheruleset
editortochangetheparametersofthoserules.
NetworkaccesspoliciesareappliedbyfilteringontheIPaddress,theprotocolnumber
fromtheIPheader,thedirectionoftraffic,andTCPandUDPportvalues.Thefiltering
doesnotinvolvedeeppacketinspection.ForDNSandDHCPaccess,theTCPandUDP
portsonwhichthoseservicestraditionallyresideareopened.
Considerthefollowingaspectsofthefilteringactions:
Ifyoumoveyourservicestodifferentports,thenetworkaccessrulesforthose
servicesnolongerwork.
Thehostorinstanceisopentoalltrafficontheseprotocolsandports.
TounderstandtheparticularsofhowtrafficisbeingblockedorallowedforDNS,
DHCP,andICMPprotocolsandports,seetherulesdisplayedintheruleseteditor.
Add or Edit Rulesets and Rules for Network Access

Therulesintheruleseteditorarelistedintheorderinwhichtheyaretobeevaluated.
Whenanetworktrafficpacketarrivesoristobesentfromthehostorguest,itis
comparedwitheachruleintheruleset,inorderfromthetopdown.Ifthefollowing
packetsettingsmatchtheruleconditions,thepacketisallowedorblockedaccordingto
therulesaction:
Sourceaddressforincomingpackets
Destinationaddressforoutgoingpackets,protocol,andports
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Thepacketiscomparedtoeachruleinorderuntilitmatchesaruleoritwascompared
withalloftherules.Whenamatchismade,thepackettorulecomparisonends.
The packetisnotcomparedtosubsequentrulesintheorderedlist.Ifitwascompared
toallruleswithoutamatch,thedefaultruleactionisapplied.
To add and edit rulesets and rules for network access
1
Inthepolicyeditor,selectNetworkAccess,andclickthelinkinthetablecolumn
thatappliestotheaccesssettingtoedit.
TheZoneandAccessTypeinformationjustbelowtheRulesetNametextbox
showsthenameofthezoneandwhethertheaccesssettingappliestohostnetwork
accessortothenetworkaccessforACEinstances(guestaccess).
Usetheruleseteditortochangetheorderofrulesintheset,editrules,andspecify
whetherthehostorguestisallowedtouseDNS,DHCP,orICMP.
Bydefault,DNS,DHCP,andICMPareincludedinthenetworkaccesssetupfor
bothhostandinstanceaccess.VMwarerecommendsthatyoukeepDHCPand
DNSselectedbecausetheyareimportantforzonedetection.
WhetherthefollowingsettingsapplytothehostortotheACEinstance(guest
access)dependsonwhetheryouareeditingahostnetworkaccessrulesetora
guestnetworkaccessruleset:
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DNSAllowstheguestorhosttouseaDNSservertoresolveIPaddresses.
SelectthisoptioniftheDNSserverisnotincludedinanyothernetworkaccess
settingforthishostorACEinstance.
DHCPAllowsthehostorguesttoobtainitsIPaddressfromaDHCPserver.
SelectthisoptioniftheDHCPserverisnotincludedinanyothernetwork
accesssettingforthehostorACEinstance.
ICMPEnablesyoutousethepingcommand.Forguests,pingenablesyou
tochecknetworkconnectivitytoandfromtheACEinstance.Forhosts,it
enablesyoutochecknetworkconnectivitywithotherhostsinthenetwork
andwiththeACEinstance.
(Optional)Toaddoreditarule,dooneofthefollowing:
Tochangeaspecificrulessettings,clicktherowforthatruleinthetableinthe
ruleseteditorandclickEdit.
Toaddarule,clickAdd.
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(Optional)UsetheRuleEditordialogboxtospecifythetypeoftraffic,whetherto
blockorallowtrafficfromspecifiednetworklocations,theprotocol,andportsor
portranges.
AddressesToeditanexistinghostnameoraddress,doubleclickthatitem
andeditit.ThewildcardsettingforallIPaddressesis0.0.0.0/0.
ProtocolToalloworblockcommunicationforaspecificprotocol,select
CustomfromtheProtocollist.Theprotocolnumberisinthepacket.Ifthat
numbermatchesthenumbersuppliedintheCustomfield,thepacketis
allowedorblockedastherulespecifies.Theprotocolnumberisusedinthe
protocolfieldofIPv4packets.
Foralistofprotocolnumbers,seetheInternetAssignedNumbers
Authority (IANA)organizationsWebsite.Mostprotocolnumbersare
permanentlyassigned.
RemotePortsandLocalPortsIfyouareusingeitherTCPorUDPandwant
toqualifytherulewithspecificportnumbersforthistypeoftraffic,typethe
portnumbersorportnumberranges.
Thewildcardportsettingis(doublequotationmarks).
Usuallyyouspecifyfilteringoneitherlocalorremoteports,notboth,because
bothspecificationshavetomatchfortheruletobeapplied.(DHCPrepresents
anexceptiontothisgeneralrule.)
Thelocalportisthesourceportforoutgoingpacketsandthedestinationport
forincomingpackets.Typicallyyouspecifyalocalportwhenthehostorguest
isbeingusedasaserverobtainingremoteconnectionsonsomeport.
Theremoteportisthesourceportforincomingpacketsandthedestination
portforoutgoingpackets.Typicallyyouspecifyaremoteportwhenthehost
orguestisaclientandiscontactingaremoteserveronsomeport.
Change NAT Settings

YoucanusetheNATfeatureofthenetworkaccesspolicytospecifytheIPaddress
rangeforthevirtualnetworkVMnet8ontheACEinstanceshostsystem.Youdeploy
thisnetworkpropertiessettingwiththeACEpackage.
CAUTIONIfyousetthisproperty,thesettingaffectsalloftheACEinstancesandvirtual
machinesonthisinstanceshostsystem.
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To change NAT settings

1
ClickHostVirtualNetworkonthepolicypage.
IntheNATsectionofthedialogbox,selectAssignIPaddressesfromthissubnet.
TypethesubnetIPaddresstouse,enterzero(0)asthelastbyteintheaddress,and
clickOK.
CreateanACEpackageanddeploythepackage.
TheNATsettingisnotadynamicpolicysetting.Thismeansthatsimply
publishingapolicyupdatetoACEManagementServerdoesnotcauseACE
instancestochangeNATsettings.YoucanchangethesettingforadeployedACE
instanceonlybychangingitinthepolicyandthencreatinganddeployinganew
ACEpackage.
Configure Which Physical Network Adapter to Use

Ifthehostislikelytohavemultiplenetworkadapters,youcanspecifywhichonetouse
forabridgednetworkconnection.Forexample,youcanspecifythatonlythewireless
adapteroronlyaVPNistobeused.
CAUTIONIfyousetthisproperty,thesettingaffectsalloftheACEinstancesandvirtual
machinesonthisinstanceshostsystem.
To configure which physical network adapter to use
1
ClickHostVirtualNetworkonthepolicypage.
SelectoneoftheradiobuttonsintheAutomaticBridgingsection.
IfyouselectDevicename,alsoenterpartorallofthedevicename.
Forexample,ifdevicenameofthelocalareaconnectionisBroadcomNetXtreme
57xxGigabitController#2,youmightenterBroadcomorbroadcom netxtreme.
OnWindowshosts,todeterminethedevicename,gototheNetworkConnections
itemintheControlPanel.
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ClickOK.
CreateanACEpackageanddeploythepackage.
Thisautomaticbridgingsettingisahostpolicy,whichmeansthatyoucanchange
thesettingforadeployedACEinstanceonlybychangingitinthepolicyandthen
creatinganddeployinganewACEpackage
Understanding the Interaction of Host and Guest Access Filters

with Tunneling Protocols
Hostandguestaccessfilterscandifferintheirinteractionswithtunnelingprotocols.
Ahostnetworkaccessfilterseestrafficbeforepacketsareencapsulatedinthetunneling
protocol(forexample,VPN).Aguestnetworkaccessfilterseestrafficafterthepackets
areencapsulatedinthetunnelingprotocol.
Becauseofthisguestaccessfilterbehavior,ausermightbeabletocircumventguest
accessrestrictionsbyusingtunnelingprotocolsorproxies.
Updating a Network Access Policy

Youmustcreateanddeployanewpackageforthehostpolicytotakeeffect.
IfyouuseamanagedACEenabledvirtualmachinetocreatepackagesthatdonot
containahostpolicyandlateredittheACEenabledvirtualmachinesnetworkaccess
policytoincludeahostpolicyandpublishthechange,instancescreatedfrompackages
ofthatACEenabledvirtualmachinedonothaveahostpolicyapplied.Awarning
appearsonthenetworkaccesspolicypageifyouattempttoapplyahostpolicyinthis
way.
Youcanpackagejustthehostpolicyinacustompackage,keepingthepackagesize
small.
Setting Removable Devices Policies

Removabledevicespoliciesallowyoutocontrolwhetheruserscanconnectand
disconnectremovabledevicesfromtheirACEinstances.
AremovabledevicespolicyisappliedtoanACEenabledvirtualmachineandaffects
allusersofallinstancescreatedfromthatACEenabledvirtualmachine.
WhenyouselectRemovableDevicesinthepolicyeditor,allremovabledevicetypes
forthisACEenabledvirtualmachinearedisplayedinalist.Youcanspecifywhich
devicestoallowenduserstoaccess.
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Setting USB Device Policies

YoucansetUSBdevicepoliciestorestricttheACEusersaccesstoUSBdevices.The
policiesaredynamic.ThismeansthatyoucanchangethesettingsondeployedACE
instancesbypublishingapolicyupdatetoACEManagementServer.
Access Levels for USB Devices

Youcansetrestrictionsatvariouslevelsofspecificity,andyoucanmixlevelsof
restrictioninapolicysetting.Thelevelsofrestrictionare:
SpecificUSBdeviceForexample,allowuseofaspecifictypeofdigitalcamera
butdisallowuseofiPodmobiledigitaldevices.
Ifaruleexistsforaspecificdevice,thatruleoverridesanyrulessetfordevice
classesinwhichthedevicebelongs.
AllentriesinthelistofspecificUSBdevicesaremaintainedinadevicedatabase
thatisincludedwiththefilesforthisACEenabledvirtualmachine.Youcancopy
andsharethedatabase.Itisnotwriteprotected.Thedefaultlocationforthefileis:
OnWindowsXP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\VMware\VMware Workstation\usbhistory.ini
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7:C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware
Workstation\usbhistory.ini
DeviceclassForexample,allowuseofhumaninputdevices(HIDs),suchasmice
andkeyboards,butdisallowuseofcommunicationsdevices,suchasmodemsand
cellphones.
Ifnospecificdeviceruleexistsforadeviceandmorethanonedeviceclassrule
appliestothatdevice,themostrestrictiveruleisapplied.Forexample,adevice
mightincludebothafaxfunctionandaprintfunctionandthereforecanbelongto
morethanoneclass.Ifoneruleblocksafaxdevicebutanotherruleallowsaprint
device,thecombinationfaxandprintdeviceisblocked.
AllUSBdevicesAllowordenyaccesstoallconnectedUSBdevices.Deviceclass
rulesandspecificdevicerulesoverridegeneralaccessrules.
Set an Access Policy for USB Devices

YoumightwanttosetapolicythatpreventsendusersfromconnectingsuchUSB
devicesasmassstoragedevices,printers,ormodemstotheACEinstance.
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Beforeyouusethepolicyeditor,determineastrategyforsettingthepolicy.Ifyouwant
arestrictedenvironment,youcanplantogenerallyblockaccesstoallUSBdevicesand
thenspecifyexactlywhichclassesorspecificdevicestoallow.SeeAccessLevelsfor
USBDevicesonpage 412.
To set an access policy for USB devices
1
Inthepolicyeditor,selectUSBDevices.
UsetheGeneralaccesstoallUSBdevicesradiobuttonstospecifywhetherto
alloworblockgeneralaccesstoUSBdevices.
TospecifyaUSBpolicybydeviceclass:
a
IfthedevicedoesnotappearintheAccesstospecifictypesofUSBdevices
list,clickAdd,selectthedeviceintheUSBDeviceClassesdialogbox,andclick
OK.
YoucanCtrlclickandShiftclickitemstoselectmorethanoneclass.
b
4
SelecttheAllowandBlockcheckboxesintheAccesstospecifictypesofUSB
deviceslisttospecifytheruleforeachdeviceinthelist.
TospecifyaUSBpolicybyspecificdevice:
a
IfthedevicedoesnotappearintheAccesstoindividualUSBdevicemodels
list,clickAdd,selectthedeviceintheUSBDeviceListdialogbox,andclick
OK.
IfthedevicedoesnotappearintheUSBDeviceListdialogbox,dooneofthe
following:
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ConnectthedevicetothehostandclickRefresh.
DeterminethedevicesvendorID(VID)andproductID(PID)andclick
ManualAddtoentertheinformation.Thisinformationisavailablefrom
theWindowsDeviceManagerwhenyouconnecttheUSBdevicetoa
Windowscomputer.
SelecttheAllowandBlockcheckboxesintheAccesstoindividualUSB
devicemodelslisttospecifytheruleforeachdeviceinthelist.
(Optional)Tochangetheinformationforadevice,clickRemoveandaddthe
deviceagainwiththenewinformation.
ClickOKinthepolicyeditor.
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Setting Virtual Printer Policies

VMwareACEincludesavirtualprinterthatallowsuserstoprinttoanyprinter
availabletothehostcomputerwithoutinstallingadditionaldriversinthevirtual
machine.
ThevirtualprinterfeatureisavailableforACEinstancesrunningwiththeseWindows
hostandguestoperatingsystems:
HostWindowsXP,2003,orVista,732bitonly
GuestWindows2000,XP,2003,Vista,7(32and64bit),RedHatEnterpriseLinux
4(32bitonly),Ubuntu,andSUSE
Afteryouenablethevirtualprinterpolicy,aserialportisaddedtothevirtualmachine.
ThisserialportappearsontheHardwaretabofthevirtualmachinesettingseditor,with
thesummaryUsedbyVirtualPrinter.Youcannotaddorremovethisserialportby
usingthevirtualmachinesettingseditor.Toaddorremoveit,youmustenableor
disabletheoptioninthevirtualprinterpolicy.
NOTEIftheACEenabledvirtualmachinealreadyhasfourserialports,youcannot
addanotherserialportforthevirtualprinter.Toenablethevirtualprinter,deletean
existingserialport.
AfterendusersinstalltheACEinstance,theycanusetheVM>VirtualPrintersmenu
commandtospecifywhichprintersfromthehostareavailabletotheguest.Ifendusers
onWindowshostshaveproblems,makesuretheTPAutoConnectServiceWindows
serviceisstarted.
NOTEWhentheACEVirtualPrinterpolicyisenabled,VirtualPrinterisavailablein
VM>Settings>Hardware,andcannotbedeselecteduntiltheACEVirtualPrinter
policyisdisabled.
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Setting Runtime Preferences Policies

YoucansetoptionsontheRuntimePreferencespolicypagetospecifywhich
Workstationruntimeattributestheusercanchoose.
Runtime Preferences Settings

Usethefollowinginformationtodecidewhichfeaturestoenable:
AlwaysruninfullscreenVMwarePlayerfillsthefullscreenwhenitstarts,
hidingthehostoperatingsystem.Youmightfindthisuseful,forexample,toavoid
confusionaboutthedifferencesbetweenthehostsystemenvironmentandthatof
theACEinstance.
Userscanreturntothehostoperatingsystembyclickingtheminimizebuttonon
thetoolbar.Ifthemousepointerisnotavailable,pressingCtrl+Altminimizesthe
display.
AlwayshidethefullscreentoolbarEnduserscannotdisplaythetoolbarthat
usuallyappearsatthetopofthescreenwheninfullscreenmode.
AlwaysruninapplianceviewTheACEinstanceopensinapplianceviewand
theusercannotchangetoconsoleview.
Tousethissetting,youmustalsoenableapplianceviewforthevirtualmachine.
SeeConfiguretheApplianceViewforaVirtualMachineonpage 182.Ifyou
attempttousethispolicywithoutenablingapplianceview,anerrormessage
appearswhentheuserattemptstostarttheACEinstance.
AllowuserstomodifythememoryallocationTheChangeMemoryAllocation
commandappearsintheVMmenuofVMwarePlayer.
ReducevirtualmachinememorysizeifneededwhenpoweringonThevirtual
machinepowersoneveniftheamountofavailablememoryislessthantheamount
configuredforthevirtualmachine.Ifyoudonotusethisfeatureandtherequired
amountofmemoryisnotavailable,usersneedtomodifythememoryallocationto
poweronthevirtualmachine.
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Enhanced Virtual Keyboard Settings

RequireenhancedvirtualkeyboardforsecureinputThissettingappliesonlyto
WindowshostsrunningWindowsguests.Thisfeatureprovidesbetterhandlingof
internationalkeyboardsandkeyboardswithextrakeys.Italsoprovidessecurity
improvementsbecauseitprocessesrawkeyboardinputassoonaspossible,
bypassingWindowskeystrokeprocessingandanymalwarethatisnotalreadyat
alowerlayer.
IfanACEinstanceusesthisfeature,whenenduserspressCtrl+Alt+Delete,the
guestsystemonly,ratherthanbothguestandhost,respondstothecommand.
Beforeyoucreatearuntimepolicyforthisfeature,turnontheenhancedkeyboard
filterwiththevirtualmachinesettingseditor.SeeUsetheEnhancedVirtual
KeyboardforWindowsHostsonpage 339.
WhentheACEinstanceisinstalledandtheguestoperatingsystemstartsforthe
firsttime,aspecialkeyboardfilterdriverisinstalledonthehost.Afterinstallation,
theendusermustrestartthehostcomputer.Keyboardfilteringisthenenabled.
WhenasuspectedkeyloggerisdetectedKeystrokeloggingisamethodof
recordinguserkeystrokes,includingdetermininguserpasswords.VMwareACE
nowincludesafeaturethatcandetect(butnotdisable)keyloggers.
IfyouselectAskuser,enduserscanexitorcontinueusingthevirtualmachineand
onlylogthatthekeyloggerwasdetected.Ifyouallowenduserstocontinueusing
thevirtualmachinewhenakeyloggerisdetected,thekeyloggerstillrecordsthe
userskeystrokes.Toavoidthispossibility,selectExit.
Exit Behavior Settings

416
WhenclosinganonPocketACEinstanceIfyouselectUserPreference,theuser
hasaccesstoSuspendandPoweroffinthePreferencesdialogboxinVMware
Player(File>Preferences).Ifyouselectoneoftheotherchoices,theendusers
virtualmachineissuspendedorpoweredoffwhentheuserchoosesFile>Exitor
clicksthecloseboxinVMwarePlayer.
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WhenclosingaPocketACEinstanceIfyouselectUserPreference,theuserhas
accesstoGomobileandAsktogomobileorstayconnectedtothecomputerin
thePreferencesdialogboxinVMwarePlayer(File>Preferences).
AlwaysGoThevirtualmachineispoweredoffandsynchronizedtothe
host.Aftersynchronization,theusercanunplugtheUSBdeviceanduseitin
anothermachine.
AlwaysStayTheuserwantstoexitVMwarePlayerbutdoesnotwantto
unplugthedevice.Thevirtualmachineissuspendedandnosynchronization
occurs.
AlwaysDiscardTheuserwantstoexitVMwarePlayerbutdoesnotwantto
synchronize.Allchangesarelost.
AllowuserstomanuallypowerofforresetthevirtualmachineTheResetand
PoweroffandExitcommandswillappearintheVM>Powermenu.Ifyoudonot
selectthisoption,theusermustexitVMwarePlayertopowerofforsuspendthe
ACEinstance.
Pocket ACE Cache Settings

Forperformancereasons,whenyouusePocketACE,filesfromtheUSBdeviceare
cachedasneededonthehost.WhenyouarefinishedusingthePocketACE,you
synchronizechangessothattheupdatedfilesarewrittentotheUSBdevice.
Youcandisablethiscachingifyoudonothaveenoughdiskspaceonthehost.For
example,ifthevirtualdiskonthePocketACEhas8GB,youmightpotentiallyneed8
GBofdiskspaceonthehostforcaching.Youcanalsodisablecachingforsecurity
reasonsifyoudonotwanttocreateacacheonthehost.
Ifyoudisablecaching,theexitbehaviorintheWhenclosingaPocketACEinstancelist
changestoAlwaysGobutsynchronizationdoesnotoccurbecauseitisnotnecessary.
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Setting Snapshot Policies

Youcansetpolicyoptionsfortwotypesofsnapshots:
ReimagesnapshotsAtinstallationtime,asnapshotistakenafterallofthe
requiredinstancesetupstepsarecomplete,including,ifapplicable,encryption,
instancecustomization,anddomainjoin.Thesnapshotistakenbeforethevirtual
machinerunsforthefirsttime.
NOTEManuallydisabletheautomaticreimagesnapshotbyeditingthe
ACEenabledvirtualmachinesaceMaster.datfile.Editthe
packaging.takeReimageSnapshot option.
ReimagesnapshotsallowtheACEadministrator,ortheuseriftheadministrator
enablesreimagesnapshotoptionsfortheuser,toreverttheACEinstancetoits
knowngoodstartingstateortotheknowngoodupdatedreimagestate.
Ifyouenablereimagesnapshotoptions,commandsfortheoptionsappearinthe
VM>Snapshotmenu.
Ifyouchoosenottoenablethereimagesnapshotoptionsfortheuser,youcan
replacethereimagesnapshotorreverttoitontheusersmachinebyproviding
administratormodeaccessthroughtheAdministratorModepolicy.SeeSetting
AdministratorModePoliciesonpage 419.
UsersnapshotsYoucanenableuserstotakeasnapshotoftheACEinstance
eitherwhentheinstanceisrunningorimmediatelyafterpoweringitoff.Youcan
alsoenablethemtodeletethatusersnapshot.
Usersnapshotsenabletheusertoreturnthevirtualmachinetoaknownstable
state.Usersnapshotscanbetaken,revertedto,anddeletedwithoutaffectingthe
reimagesnapshot.Onlyoneusersnapshotcanbesavedatatime.
Ifyouenableusersnapshotoptions,commandsfortheoptionsappearintheVM
>Snapshotmenu.
NOTEYoucannottakesnapshotsofaPocketACEinstance.FormoreaboutPocket
ACEs,seeChapter 21,PocketACE,onpage 457.
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Setting Administrator Mode Policies

Youcanusetheadministratormodepolicytosetanadministrativepasswordsothat
youcandoanyofthefollowing:
RuntheACEinstanceontheusersmachineandenteradministratormodeto
accessthevirtualmachinesettingsandmakechangestotheinstances
configuration.Youcanonlyeditthesettings.Youcannotaddorremovevirtual
hardwaredevices.
RuntheACEinstanceontheusersmachineandenteradministrativemodeto
accessallthesnapshotcommands.SeeSettingSnapshotPoliciesonpage 418.
Usethevmware-acetoolcommandlineprogramonanACEuserssystemtofix
alimitedsetofproblemsforstandaloneACEinstances.
Use Administrator Mode on an ACE Instance

Usingadministratormodeonanendusersvirtualmachineenablesyouto
troubleshootandaccessfeaturesandcommandsthatmightnotbeavailabletotheend
user.
To use administrator mode on an ACE instance
1
StartVMwarePlayerontheendusersmachineandchooseVM>ACE>Enter
AdministratorMode.
Enterthepasswordforadministratoraccess.
Choosetheappropriatecommandsasfollows:
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Toeditvirtualmachinesettingsfromtheusersmachine,chooseVM>
Settings.ThiscommandisavailableonlyonWindowshosts.
Tousetheusersnapshotcommands,chooseVM>Snapshot.
Tousethereimagesnapshotcommands,chooseVM>Snapshot>Revertto
ReimageSnapshot.
TousetheACETools,seeUsingthevmwareacetoolCommandLineTool
onpage 479.
Whenyoufinishchangingthevirtualmachinesettingsorusingthesnapshot
commands,chooseVM>ACE>ExitAdministratorMode.
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Setting Kiosk Mode Policies

WhenanACEinstancerunsinkioskmode,theusercannotaccessthehostsystemat
all.Forexample,theusercannotshutdownthehostmachine.Thevirtualmachineruns
infullscreenmodeanddoesnotdisplaytheACEmenubarorACEPlayeronlinehelp.
IfanACEinstancehasthekioskmodepolicyturnedon,bydefault,amessageappears
atstartuptoprovidethefollowinginformation:
Warnstheuserthatthevirtualmachineisabouttogointokioskmode.
Tellstheuserwhichkeycombinationtousetoexitkioskmode.Thedefaultisthe
hotkeycombinationforungrabbinginputfromavirtualmachine(oftenCtrl+Alt).
SeeChangetheKeyCombinationforExitingKioskModeonpage 420.
Ifthepolicyincludesanadministratorpassword,tellstheuserthathostaccessis
availableonlyiftheuserentersthepasswordafterpressingthekeycombination
toexitkioskmode.
Whenauserexitskioskmode,thevirtualmachineispoweredofforsuspended,
accordingtotheruntimepreferencepolicyforexitbehavior.PocketACEinstancesare
poweredoffandsynchronized.Whenthevirtualmachineispoweredoff,theACE
Playerpromptstheusertoexitkioskmode.
OnLinuxhosts,youmustsetsomeadditionalpropertiesafterinstallingtheACE
instance.SeePrepareaLinuxHostforRunninginKioskModeonpage 472.
Forinformationaboutstartupoptionsforkioskmode,seeChangeDefaultKiosk
ModeStartupBehavioronpage 475andUseMultipleVirtualMachinesinKiosk
Modeonpage 476.
Change the Key Combination for Exiting Kiosk Mode

YoucanuseCtrl,Alt,Shift,theWindowskey,oracombinationofthesekeyswitha
regularkey.
To change the key combination for exiting kiosk mode
1
Inthepolicyeditor,selectKioskMode.
SelectAlwaysruninkioskmodeandselectCustomhotkeytoexitkioskmode.
ClickintheTypehotkeyherefieldandpressakeycombination.
Forexample,pressAlt+XratherthantypingthecharactersAlt+X.
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Setting Hot-Fix Policies for Standalone ACE Instances

ThispolicyenablesusersofstandaloneACEinstancestorequesthotfixesiftheylose
orforgettheACEpassword,trytorunanexpiredACEinstance,ormovea
copyprotectedACEinstancetoanewlocation.
ToaddressthesetypesofproblemsformanagedratherthanstandaloneACEinstances,
usetheVMwareHelpDeskWebapplicationortheinstanceviewinWorkstation.For
moreinformation,seetheACEManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
Thehotfixrequestisafilethattheusermustsubmittoanadministratorforaction.You
configurewhethertheusersubmitsthefiletoanadministratormanuallyorthrough
emailgeneratedbytheHotFixRequestwizard.
Forautomaticallygeneratedemail,theHotFixRequestwizardontheuserscomputer
attemptstouseaMAPIemailclientonthehostoperatingsystem.Thehotfixrequest
fileisincludedasanattachmenttotheemailmessage.Themessageusestheemail
addressandsubjectlinethatyouspecify.
Ifyouchooseemailandtheautomaticsubmissionfails,theHotFixRequestwizard
allowstheusertosavethehotfixrequestasafile.Theusermustthensendthefileto
anadministratormanually.
TheadministratorusesWorkstationtorespondtohotfixrequests.SeeRespondto
HotFixRequestsonpage 481.
Setting the Policy Update Frequency for Managed ACE

Instances
ThispolicycontrolshowoftenanACEinstanceconnectstoACEManagementServer
todownloadpolicyupdateswhileitisrunning.Italsocontrolshowlongamanaged
ACEinstancecanbeusedifitcannotconnecttoACEManagementServer.
ThispolicyappliesonlytomanagedACEinstances.Todeploypolicyupdatesfor
standaloneACEinstances,youmustcreatepolicyupdatepackages.Policychangesare
appliedwhentheinstanceisstartedaftertheupdatepackageisinstalled.
Thesettingsforofflineusageincludetextforwarningandtimeoutmessages.Youcan
customizemessagesbyaddingtexttothem.Youcannotedittheexistingstandardtext
exceptbyusingthecontrolsonthepaneltochangethenumberofminutes,hours,or
daysshown.
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Policyupdatestakeeffectwhiletheinstanceisrunning,withthefollowingexceptions:
Updatestoaccesscontrolpolicies,whichincludeuserandgrouplists,passwords,
andscripts,takeeffectthenexttimetheinstanceispoweredon.
Updatestopolicyupdatefrequencypolicies,ifsettoOnlywhentheACEinstance
powerson,takeeffectthenexttimetheinstanceispoweredon.
Control Which ACE Instances Run on a Host

Youcansetrestrictionssuchasthefollowing:
SpecifywhethervirtualmachinesthatarenotACEinstancescanrunonthe
machine.Thisisahostwidepolicy,whichrequiresanadministratortoinstallthe
package.
SpecifythatonlyACEinstanceswithaspecificcreatorIDcanrunonthemachine.
YoucancontrolwhichvirtualmachinesandACEinstancescanberunonahostby
editingtheaceMaster.datfileinthevirtualmachinedirectory.
Beforeyoubegin,ifyouplantorunmultipleACEinstancesontheendusersmachine,
determinewhichACEenabledvirtualmachineyouwanttouseforsettinghostwide
policies.
To control which ACE instances run on a host
1
OntheadministratormachinewhereWorkstationisinstalled,poweroffandclose
theACEenabledvirtualmachine.
UseatexteditortoopentheaceMaster.datfilefortheACEenabledvirtual
machine.
Thisfileislocatedinthesamedirectoryastheconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)forthe
ACEenabledvirtualmachine.
(Optional)TospecifythatnonACEvirtualmachinescannotrunonthehost,find
theallowVMspropertyandchangeitfrom1to0.
FindtherequiredCreatorIDpropertyandsetittoanidentifier.
Forexample,tosettherequiredcreatorIDtocreator1,editthelineasfollows:
requiredCreatorID = "creator1"
YousetrequiredCreatorIDonceforeachhost.Youdonotneedtosetthis
propertyonotherACEinstancesthatrunonthesamehost.
Thisisahostwidepolicy,whichrequiresanadministratortoinstallthepackage.
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FindthecreatorIDpropertyandsetittothesameidentifier.
Forexample,tosetthecreatorIDtocreator1,editthelineasfollows:
creatorID = "creator1"
OnlyACEinstanceswiththiscreatorIDcanrunonthesamehost.
TheIDstringisinplaintextintheaceMaster.datfileontheadministrators
machine,butitishiddeninthepolicyfile.
IfyoupublishthepolicysetofanACEinstanceto
requiredCreator=yourPolicySettingandinstallitonahost,onlyyou(or
otherswithaccesstotheadministratorfiles)knowwhatthecreatorIDis.Without
knowingtherequiredCreatorpolicysetting,youcannotcreateyourownACE
instancethatcanrunonthehost.
6
IfyouarecreatinganewACEinstance,createapackageforthisACEenabled
virtualmachineandinstallitontheendusershost.
IfyouarecreatinganupdateforastandaloneACEinstance,createanupdate
package.
IfyouarecreatinganupdateforamanagedACEinstance,openthevirtual
machineandpublishthechangestoACEManagementServer.
ChangestotheallowVMspropertyortherequiredCreatorIDpropertyrepresent
changestohostwidepolicies.Packagesthatincludethesehostpoliciesrequire
administratorprivilegestoinstall.
7
(Optional)IfyouplantorunmultipleACEinstancesontheendusersmachine,do
thefollowing:
a
EdittheaceMaster.datfilefortheotherACEenabledvirtualmachinesand
setthecreatorIDpropertytothesamevaluethatyouusedinStep 5.
SetonlythecreatorIDpropertyandnottherequiredCreatorIDproperty
fortheseothervirtualmachines.
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RepeatStep 6.
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Writing Plug-In Policy Scripts

YoucanwritescriptstocontrolcertainpoliciesinVMwarePlayer.Youmayuseany
languagethatissupportedontheuserscomputer.
Forsecurityreasons,scriptsmustbedeployedaspartofapackageandinstalledbythe
packageinstaller.Userscannotmodifythesescripts.
Whenscriptsrun,theymustwritetheappropriatevaluestotheStdOut file.Outputto
theStdOutfilemightbeupto4096byteslong.
PlaceanyscriptsyouwanttouseforapackageintheACE Resourcesdirectoryinthe
virtualmachinedirectory.DonotplacetheminasubdirectoryoftheACE Resources
directory.Ifthescriptsneedanyadditionalresourcefiles,placethosefilesinthemain
ACE Resourcesdirectory.Makesurethescriptusesrelativepathstoreferencethose
resources.
ScriptscanalsowritemessagestotheStdErrfile.OutputtotheStdErrfilemaybeup
to4096byteslong.AnymessagesgeneratedontheStdErrfilearecapturedinthelog
fileontheendusersmachineatthefollowinglocation:
<UserAppData>\VMware\VMware ACE\<package_name>\Virtual
Machines\<VM_name>\vmware.log
Theexitcodeofascriptindicateswhetherthescriptsucceededorfailed.
Table 191describestheenvironmentvariablessetinthescriptexecutionenvironment.
Table 19-1. Environment Variables
Variable
Description
VMWARE_MASTER_ID
TheIDoftheACEenabledvirtualmachine(ACEmaster).
VMWARE_PACKAGE_ID
TheIDofthepackagethevirtualmachinewasinstantiated
from.
VMWARE_INSTANCE_ID
ABooleanvaluethatissettoTRUEthefirsttimethevirtual
machineispoweredon.Otherwise,itissettoFALSE.
AllscriptsruneachtimetheenduserstartsVMwarePlayerorresetsthevirtual
machine.Somemightrunmoreoften.Forexample,anexpirationscriptisrunevery24
hours.
ThesamplescriptspresentedinExamplesofPolicyScriptsonpage 425areinstalled
withVMwarePlayerinthefollowinglocation:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\Samples
Thetopicsthatfollowshowtheformatfortheoutputthatyourscriptsmustwritetothe
StdOutfiletocontrolvariouspolicies.
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Examples of Policy Scripts

Examplesincludeanauthenticationscript,ahosttoguestdatascript,andapoweron
hookscript.
SamplescriptsareinstalledwithVMwarePlayerinthefollowinglocation:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Player\Samples
Example of an Authentication Script

Thisscriptexampleincludesthebasicelementsrequiredforanyauthenticationscript.
Thepurposeofanauthenticationscriptistodooneofthefollowing:
Iftheuseristobegrantedaccesstothevirtualmachine,generatethedatausedto
createthekeyforthisuserandsenditasoutput.Thedatamustbeuniqueforeach
user.Ifaccessisgranted,theexitcodeis0.
Iftheuseristobedeniedaccesstothevirtualmachine,thescriptexitswitha
nonzeroexitcode.Thisisareferencetotheexitcode,nottheoutputvalue.
Theoutputofthescriptishashedtocreateakeytoencryptanddecryptvirtualmachine
files.Thefirsttimethisscriptisrun,theoutputishashedtoencryptthevirtualmachine.
Whenavirtualmachineisdecrypted,thescriptmustreturnthesamevalue.Ifthescript
returnsadifferentvalue,thevirtualmachineisnotdecryptedandtheuserseesanerror
message.
Thescriptmayreturnanyvalue.Toensurebestsecurity,avaluethatincludesonly
printablecharactersshouldbeatleast32byteslong.Forbinarydata,thevalueshould
beatleast16byteslongtoensureproperentropy.TheoutputissenttotheStdOutfile.
ThefollowingexampleiswritteninPerl.ItisinstalledbyWorkstationas
sample_auth.pl.CompileitwithaPerlinterpretertorunit.
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
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VMware Sample Script

Sample script for ACE script authentication
Description:
This sample script looks up the user as defined in the environment
variable TEST_USERNAME and returns seed data that is used to make a key
for authenticationpurposes.
It assumes that the username is defined in the environment variable
TEST_USERNAME (a ficticious environment variable used for this sample)
and returns the seed data from a harcoded map of username to seed data.
Input to script:
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#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
None.
Returns:
0 if successful (user is correctly authenticated).
-1 if TEST_USERNAME is not set, or the user is unrecognized.
Expected output:
Seed data for creating script authentication key on stdout.
Notes:
If the script returns success, its output will be used to create a key.
Therefore, it is important that the output of this script be unique for
each user, and that there is enough data to make a meaningful key (at
least 16 bytes).
my %user_map= ( 'charlie'
'kathy'
'beth'
'ernie'
'bert'
);
=>
=>
=>
=>
=>
'E1C4F612135B4D98A33B2C9BD595025D',
'C79AFFEF773D61225751C2566858DB08',
'05B169B439B26AAB2EA4F755B7E3800C',
'8CE63D4AA2068BD8AFF2D1B05F3495A5',
'"172B1619B2EFBE0E4F381AA1C428F049'
print "You should set the TEST_USERNAME environment variable.\n";
exit(-1);
}
my $key_seed = $user_map{$username};
if (! defined $key_seed) {
print "Unrecognized username.\n";
exit(-1);
}
print $key_seed;
exit(0);
Example of a Host to Guest Data Script

sample_hostdata.pl.YouneedaPerlinterpretertorunthisscript.
#
#
#
#
#
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Sample script for ACE Host-Guest Data script
VMware, Inc.
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
Description:
This sample script passes information defined on the host to the guest.
It assumes that the machine name is defined in the environment variable
TEST_MACHINENAME and that the asset tag is defined in the environment
variable TEST_ASSETTAG. (These are fictitious variables used for this # #
sample).
Input to script:
None.
Returns:
0 if successful.
Expected output:
Set of acceptable key/value pairs where the values are fetched from the
environment variables. These values can be retrieved from within the
Guest operating system using the VMware Tools.
my $machine_name = $ENV{TEST_MACHINENAME};
my $asset_tag = $ENV{TEST_ASSETTAG};
my $host_mac = $ENV{TEST_MACHINEMAC};
if (defined $machine_name) {
print "machine.id = " . $machine_name . "\n";
}
if (defined $asset_tag) {
print "guestinfo.assetTag = " . $asset_tag . "\n";
}
if (defined $host_mac) {
printf "guestinfo.mac = " . $host_mac . "\n";
}
exit(0);
Example of a Power-On Hook Script

sample_poweron.pl.YouneedaPerlinterpretertorunthisscript.
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
VMware, Inc.

Sample script for ACE power-on hook
Description:
This sample script implements a power-on hook for ACE. This can be used
in addition to authentication to control the circumstances under which an
ACE is allowed to run.
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#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
This script assumes that the username is defined in the environment

variable TEST_USERNAME (a ficticious environment variable used for this
sample) and returns TRUE if the user is allowed to run, and FALSE
otherwise.
Input to script:
None.
Returns:
TRUE if username is on white list.
FALSE if username is not on white list or is undefined.
Expected output:
One of the strings "TRUE" or "FALSE"
my @white_list = ("alan", "bob", "mary", "sonia", "chris");

print "FALSE";
exit(0);
}
my @grepNames = grep(/$username/, @white_list);
if (@grepNames == 1) {
print "TRUE";
exit(0);
}
print "FALSE";
exit(0);
Customizing the VMware Player Interface on Windows

Hosts Only
YoucancustomizeseveralaspectsoftheVMwarePlayeruserinterfaceforACE
instancesthatrunonWindowshosts.Yousavethesecustomizationsinatextfileand
identifythattextfile,calledtheskinfile.
Create and Specify a Skin File

AskinfilecontainsparametersettingsforcustomizingtheVMwarePlayeruser
interface.Usethisfiletochangeapplicationicons,thetextthatappearsinthetitlebar,
andtochangethewayremovabledevicesarepresented.
ThisfeatureisavailableonlyforVMwarePlayerrunningonWindowshosts.
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To create and specify a skin file

1
Useatexteditortocreateaskinfilethatincludestheparameterstocustomize.
Useonelineforeachparameterandusethefollowingform:
<parameter> = "<value>"
Foralistofvaluestouseinparameters,seeTable 192,Table 193,andTable 194.

Tocommentoutalineintheskinfile,beginthelinewiththepound(#)sign.
2
Savetheskinfilewiththefilenameskin.txtintheACE Resourcesdirectoryin
thevirtualmachinedirectoryfortheACEenabledvirtualmachine.
Thefilenamemustbeskin.txt.
(Optional)TodisplayapplicationiconsotherthantheVMwarePlayericon,place
thenew.icoiconfilesintheACE Resourcesdirectory.
Foriconssizesandskinfileparameters,seeCustomizingtheVMwarePlayer
Iconsonpage 429.
InWorkstation,closetheACEenabledvirtualmachine.
UseatexteditortoopentheaceMaster.datfileinthevirtualmachinedirectory
andaddthefollowingline:
vmplayer.skin = "skin.txt"
BecausetheskinfileisintheACE Resourcesdirectory,youdonotneedtospecify
thedirectorypathtothefile.
6
SaveandclosetheaceMaster.datfile.
(Optional)Todeterminewhethertheparametersaresetcorrectly,previewthe
virtualmachineinVMwarePlayer.
SeeUsePreviewModetoTestPolicyandDeploymentSettingsonpage 448.
Customizing the VMware Player Icons

VMwarePlayerhasseparatelargeandsmallapplicationicons.Thelargeiconisused
intheapplicationswitchinginterface(visiblewhenyoupressAlt+Tab).Thesizeofthe
largeiconisusually32x32pixels,butVMwarePlayeruseswhateversizeisspecifiedfor
iconsizeinthesystempreference.Thesmall(16x16pixels)iconisusedintheVMware
PlayertitlebarandontheWindowstaskbarbuttonforVMwarePlayer.
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Theiconsusedforthesepurposesmustbein.ico fileformatandlocatedintheACE
Resourcessubdirectoryinthevirtualmachinedirectory.Theapplicableparametersin
theskinfileincludethefollowing:
player.iconSmall = "<filename>"
player.iconLarge = "<filename>"
One.icofilecancontainmultipleiconsofdifferentsizes.Youcanspecifythesame
.icofileforplayer.iconSmallandplayer.iconLarge.VMwarePlayerextractsthe
iconoftheappropriatesizeforeachuse.
Customizing the Title Bar Text

YoucanspecifywhattextappearsintheVMwarePlayertitlebar.Youcanalsospecify
thefontandfontsizeusedtodisplaythetext.
Thetextdisplayedinthetitlebarconsistsofthreesections:aprefix,thevirtualmachine
name,andasuffix.TheparameterslistedinTable 192allowyoutosetanyprefixand
suffix,ortoomittheprefix,thesuffix,orboth.Theyalsoallowyoutoincludeoromit
thevirtualmachinename.
Ifyouleavethedefaultsforallvalues,thetitlebardisplaysonlythevirtualmachine
nameat32pointsintheMSShellDlgfont.
Table 192describestheVMwarePlayertitletextparameters.
Table 19-2. VMware Player Title Text Parameters
Parameter
Type
Default
Controls
player.title.prefix
string
Titlebarprefix
player.title.useVMName
Boolean
TRUE
Whetherthevirtual
machinenameisdisplayed
player.title.suffix
string
Titlebarsuffix
player.title.font.face
string
MSShellDlg
Fontname(thefontmustbe
ontheuserscomputer)
player.title.font.size
integer
32
Pointsizeforthetext
Customizing the Removable Device Display

RemovabledevicesarerepresentedintheVMwarePlayerinterfaceeitherbybuttons
onatoolbarorbymenuitemsonaDevicesmenu.Youcanspecifythetypeofdisplay.
Youcanalsospecifytext,icon,oracombinationofthetwoandspecifycustomicons.
Ifyouusecustomicons,copytheiconfilestotheACE Resourcesdirectoryinthe
virtualmachinedirectoryfortheACEenabledvirtualmachine.
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SettingsyoumakeintheskinfileoverrideanysettingstheusermakesintheVMware
Playerpreferencesdialogbox.
Usethefollowingparametertocontrolwhetherdevicesareshownastoolbaritems:
player.deviceBar.toplevel = [TRUE | FALSE]
SettheparametertoTRUEforatoolbarorFALSEforamenu.
UsetheparametersshowninTable 193tocustomizethedisplayforeachremovable
deviceconfiguredinthevirtualmachine.
Table 19-3. Removable Devices Parameters
Parameter
Type
Default
Controls
player.deviceBar.
string(text,icon,
texticon)
text
<deviceName>.buttonStyle
Appearanceoftoolbar
buttonormenuitem
player.deviceBar.
string
Userfriendly
devicename
Textthatappearsonthe
toolbarbuttonormenu
itemwhendeviceis
connected
string(optional)
Normalbuttontext
Textthatappearsonthe
toolbarbuttonormenu
itemwhendeviceis
disconnected
string
Textthatappearsinthe
tooltipwhendeviceis
connected
string(optional)
Normaltooltip
Textthatappearsinthe
tooltipwhendeviceis
disconnected
filename
Iconrepresenting
thistypeofdevice
Customiconfilewhen
deviceisconnected
filename(optional)
Normalicon
Customiconfilewhen
deviceisdisconnected
<deviceName>.buttonText
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>.buttonTextD
isconnected
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>.tooltip
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>.tooltipDisc
onnected
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>.icon
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>iconDisconne
cted
player.deviceBar.
<deviceName>.shortcutKey
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keySpec
Shortcutkeycombination
toswitchthedevice
betweenconnectedand
disconnected(see
ShortcutKeyValueson
page 432)
431
Followingarethedevicenamesyoucanusefor<deviceName>intheparametername:
floppy0,floppy1
serial0,serial1,serial2,serial3
parallel0,parallel1,parallel2
ide0:0,ide0:1,ide1:0,ide1:1(IDECDROMorharddrives)
scsi0:0scsi0:7(SCSICDROMorharddrives)
Shortcut Key Values

Usevirtualkeycodestospecifykeyboardshortcuts.Virtualkeycodesusehexadecimal
format,whichisahexadecimalnumberprecededby0x.Forexample,tousethevirtual
keycodeof5Aasavalue,type0x5A.
MicrosoftprovidesareferencelistofvirtualkeycodesonitsMSDNWebsite.
YoucanalsousetheCtrl,Alt,andShiftmodifierkeys,oracombinationofthosekeys.
Table 194providestheshortcutkeyvalues.
Table 19-4. Shortcut Key Values
Modifier key
Value
Nomodifier
0x0
Alt
0x1
Ctrl
0x2
Shift
0x4
Ctrl+Alt
0x3
Alt+Shift
0x5
Ctrl+Shift
0x6
Ctrl+Alt+Shift
0x7
Whenyoulistakeyplusamodifier,typethevirtualkeycodeforthekeyfollowedby
acomma,followedbythevalueforthemodifierkeyorkeys.Forexample,thevalue
entryforCtrl+Shift+F1is0x70,0x6.
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Keepthefollowinglimitationsinmindwhendefiningshortcutkeys:
DonotusethePausekeywiththeCtrlkey.
IfyouuseF12,youmustuseoneormoremodifierkeys.YoucannotuseF12alone.
YoucannotusecombinationsthatincludeonlytheShift,Ctrl,andAltkeys.You
canusethesekeysonlyasmodifiersincombinationwithsomeotherkey.
Sample Skin File

player.title.prefix = "Our Company <<"
player.title.suffix = ">> Environment"
# player.title.useVMName = "FALSE
# player.deviceBar.toplevel = TRUE
player.deviceBar.floppy0.buttonStyle = "icon"
player.deviceBar.floppy0.buttonText = "First Floppy Drive"
player.deviceBar.floppy0.shortcutKey = "0x30,0x7"
player.deviceBar.floppy0.icon = "custom-floppy.ico"
player.deviceBar.floppy0.tooltip = "Click to disconnect"
player.deviceBar.floppy0.tooltipDisconnected = "Click to connect"
# player.deviceBar.ethernet0.buttonStyle = "icon"
# player.deviceBar.ide1:0.buttonStyle = "icon"
# player.deviceBar.audio.buttonStyle = "icon"
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20
Deploying ACE Packages
20
ThischapterprovidesinstructionsforspecifyingdeploymentsettingsforACE
packages,creatingACEpackages,anddeployingpackagestoendusers.Thischapter
EditDeploymentSettingsonpage 435
ACEResourcesDirectoryonpage 446
ReviewtheConfigurationofanACEEnabledVirtualMachineonpage 447
UsePreviewModetoTestPolicyandDeploymentSettingsonpage 448
CreatingaPackageonpage 449
PerformanEndtoEndDeploymentTestonpage 455
DeployPackagesonpage 456
Edit Deployment Settings

Deploymentsettingsenableyoutoconfigurepackagecharacteristics,suchasinstance
customizationandencryption,andthenapplythosesettingstoasmanypackagesas
youchoose.Changestodeploymentsettingsaffectonlypackagescreatedafterthe
changesaremade.Theydonotapplytoexistingpackages.
Beforeyoucanusethedeploymentsettingseditoronavirtualmachine,youmust
enableACEfeaturesforthatvirtualmachine.SeeOverviewofCreatingand
DeployingACEPackagesonpage 385.
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To edit deployment settings

1
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>Deployment
Settings.
Inthedeploymentsettingseditor,selectanitemintheSettinglist.
CompletethesettingspanelforthatdeploymentsettingandclickOKorselect
anothersettingtoedit.
Forassistancewiththefieldsonasettingspanel,clickHelp.
Encryption Settings
Encryptionsettingsareoftwotypes:
PackageprotectionProtectspackagefilesfrombeingcopiedoralteredwhilein
transit.IfyousetpackageprotectiontoEncrypted,theNewPackagewizard
encryptsthevirtualmachinewhenapackageiscreated.
InstanceprotectionProtectsACEinstancefilesfrombeingcopiedoralteredafter
installationandactivation.Youmustspecifyanauthenticationmethodifyouwant
theinstallertoencrypttheACEinstance.
Theactivationandauthenticationpoliciesyouchoosedeterminewhichdefault
encryptionsettingsareappliedtothepackageandfiles.SeeSettingAccessControl
Policiesonpage 391.VMwarerecommendsthesedefaultsettingsforproduction
environments.Thefilesdonotneedtobeencryptedwhenyoudeployapackageina
testenvironment.
NOTEIfyousettheencryptionsettingstoNone,anyverificationspecifiedinthe
resourcesigningpolicyisnotperformed.Theencryptionpackagesettingoverridesthe
resourcesigningpolicysetting.SeeSettingResourceSigningPoliciesonpage 401.
Package Lifetime Settings

YoucanspecifyatimeperiodduringwhichanACEpackageisinstallable.Ifauser
attemptstoinstallapackageoutsideofthistimeperiod,anerrormessageappearsand
thepackageisnotinstalled.
Theadministratorcanchangethepackagelifetimesettingsonmanagedpackageseven
afterpackagecreation.
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Chapter 20 Deploying ACE Packages
Change Package Lifetime Settings for a Managed Package

IfyouusetheACEManagementServer,youcanchangethepackagelifetimesettings
ordeactivateapackageimmediately.
Beforeyoubegin,makesureWorkstationisconnectedtotheACEManagementServer.
Forinformationaboutinstallingandsettinguptheserver,seetheACEManagement
ServerAdministratorsGuide.
To change package lifetime settings for a managed package
1
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseView>CurrentView>
Summary.
ClickthePackagessectiontab.
Rightclickthepackageanddooneofthefollowing:
TochangethepackagelifetimesettingschooseProperties>Settings.
TodeactivatethepackageimmediatelychooseDeactivate.
Instance Customization on Windows Guests Only

InstancecustomizationappliesonlytoACEinstancesthathaveaWindowsguest
operatingsysteminstalled.Theinstancecustomizationprocessisbuiltaroundthe
standardMicrosoftSysprepdeploymenttools.Itprovidesthefollowingbenefits:
AutomatestheSysprepprocess(theuseoftheMicrosoftSysprepdeployment
tools).ItgivesyoubettercontrolofsomeSysprepparameters,suchascomputer
name.
AutomatesjoiningACEinstancestoadomainfromaremotesite.SeeSetUpa
RemoteDomainJoinonpage 443.
FormanagedACEinstances,theinstancecustomizationprocessontheusers
machinereportsthesuccessorfailureoftheprocesstotheserver.Theinformation
isavailableintheinstanceviewofWorkstation.Besidesstatus,theprocessalso
reportstheMACaddressandthenewcomputername.
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Instance Customization Process During Packaging

Ifyouspecifyinstancecustomizationdeploymentsettings,thefollowingeventsoccur
whenyoucompletetheNewPackagewizard:
1
AsnapshotoftheACEenabledvirtualmachineistakenandsaved.
TheACEenabledvirtualmachineispoweredon,andalltherequireddeployment
toolsandfiles,includingtheappropriateMicrosoftSyspreptools,arecopiedinto
theguest.
Thereisnovisibleindicationshowingthecopyingprocess.SeeDownloadthe
MicrosoftSysprepDeploymentToolsonpage 440.
TheMicrosoftdeploymenttoolsruninsidetheguestoperatingsystemtosealthe
guestandpreparefordeployment.
Theguestoperatingsystemshutsdown.
TheACEenabledvirtualmachineisclonedintothepackagedirectory.
Thevirtualmachinefilesarecopiedintothedirectory,encryptedifsettodoso,and
dividedtobeputonmediaifsettodoso.
TheACEenabledvirtualmachinerevertstothesnapshot.
Thesnapshotisdeleted.
Theinstallerfilesarecopiedintothepackagedirectory.
Instance Customization on the End Users Machine

OntheACEusersmachine,aftertheinstallationandinstanceactivation,thefollowing
eventsoccur:
1
Allinformationrequiredforresolvingplaceholdervariablesisobtained.
PlaceholdervariablesareresolvedandreplacedwiththeactualvaluesfortheACE
instance.
SeePlaceholderValuestoUseinInstanceCustomizationonpage 442.
TheMicrosoftMiniSetupprocessrunsunattended.
IftheMiniSetupprocessfails,theACEinstanceshutsdown.
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(Optional)Additionalcommandstoexecuteotherscriptsthatyouspecifiedinthe
instancecustomizationdeploymentsettingsareexecuted.
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(Optional)Ifyouconfiguredaremotedomainjoin,thesoftwareexecutesthescript
youspecified,connectstheACEinstancetotheVPNserver,andjoinsthevirtual
machinetothedomain.
SeeSetUpaRemoteDomainJoinonpage 443.
Formanagedinstances,instancecustomizationisreportedtotheserverifitis
successful.
Prerequisites for Using Instance Customization

InstancecustomizationisavailableforbothmanagedandstandaloneACEinstances.
Beforeyouspecifyinstancecustomizationsettings,performthefollowingtasks:
InstallaWindows2000,32bitor64bitXPProfessional,Server2003,Vista,or7
guestoperatingsystemonanACEenabledvirtualmachine.
InstallthelatestversionofVMwareToolsontheguestoperatingsystem.See
DownloadtheMicrosoftSyspreptools.SeeDownloadtheMicrosoftSysprep
DeploymentToolsonpage 440.
Gatherthefollowinginformation:
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TheWindowsproductIDfortheguestoperatingsysteminstallation.
IftheACEinstancewillbejoinedtoadomain(whethertheinstanceislocalor
remotetothedomain),theusernameandpasswordforanaccountthathas
permissiontoaddcomputerstothedomain.
RemotedomainjoinparametersifaremoteACEinstancewillbejoinedtoa
domain.SeeSetUpaRemoteDomainJoinonpage 443.
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Download the Microsoft Sysprep Deployment Tools

YoudonotneedtodownloadMicrosoftSysprepdeploymenttoolsifyouhavea
WindowsVistaandWindows7operatingsystem.TheyareincludedwiththeWindows
VistaandWindows7installation.
To download the Microsoft Sysprep deployment tools
1
GototheMicrosoftWebsiteandsearchforSysprepdeploymenttools.
FollowtheinstructionsonthesitefordownloadingtheSysprepdeploymenttools.
Downloadallversionsthatcorrespondtotheguestoperatingsystemsthatyou
plantodeploy.ThesetoolsincludeSysprepdeploymenttoolsforWindows2000,
Windows2003,andWindowsXPProfessionalSP1andSP2.TheSP1versionworks
withWindowsXPProfessionalwithnoservicepackandWindowsXPProfessional
SP1.
Unzipthefilesintothecorrespondingversionspecificdirectoryinthe
Resources\SysprepToolsdirectory.
Forexample,forWindowsXPSP3,unzipthefilesto:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\Resources\SysprepTools\xpsp3
Specify Deployment Settings for Instance Customization

Beforeyoubegin,installallrequiredfilesforcustomizationscripts.SeePrerequisites
forUsingInstanceCustomizationonpage 439.
To specify deployment settings for instance customization
440
SelecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>Deployment
Settings.
SelectInstanceCustomizationandcompletethesettingspanel.
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SelectSystemOptionsandcompletethesettingspanel.
Usethefollowinginformationtocompletethefields:
SystemoptionsYoucanuseplaceholdervariablesforthesystemname,
organizationname,andcomputername.Fordetailsontheplaceholder
variables,includinganexample,seePlaceholderValuestoUseinInstance
Customizationonpage 442.
CAUTIONTheMiniSetupprocessfailsifyouenteradministratorinthe
NamefieldortheComputerNamefieldorforWindowsVistaandWindows
7guests,ifthecomputernameismorethan15characters.
Ifyousetthe%logon_user%placeholderinthosefieldsandtheplaceholder
variableresolvestoadministrator,thesoftwareautomaticallychangesthe
valuetoarandomalphanumericstringof10characters.
SecurityIDAnewSIDisalwaysgeneratedforWindowsVistaand
Windows7guests,regardlessofthesettingyouchoosehere.
SelectInitializationScriptsandtypetheadditionalcommandstorunscriptsinthe
guestoperatingsystemattheendoftheMiniSetupprocessontheACEusers
machine.
Formoreinformationaboutcommands,seetheMicrosoftdeploymenttools
documentation.
Specifythepathtothebatchfilewithoutusingquotationmarks.Quotationmarks
areaddedautomatically.Formoreinformation,seetheMicrosoftknowledgebase
articleabouttroubleshootingCmdlines.textduringanunattendedsetup.
SelectWorkgrouporDomainandcompletethesettingspanelusingthefollowing
information:
InstancecustomizationsupportsonlyIPaddressesthatDHCPservers
provide.StaticIPaddressesarenotsupported.
ToallowthisACEinstancetojointhedomainfromalocationremotetothe
domain,seeSetUpaRemoteDomainJoinonpage 443.
SpecifyothertypesofdeploymentsettingsorclickOK.
Tocreateapackagewiththesesettings,seeCreatingaPackageonpage 449.
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Placeholder Values to Use in Instance Customization

Useplaceholdervaluestoconstructmachinespecificnamesinsidetheguestoperating
systemduringtheMiniSetupprocess.
Followingaretheavailableplaceholders:
%logon_user%or%logon_user(n)% Theuserloggedintothehostmachineat
thetimetheMicrosoftMiniSetupprocessbegins.
Youcanuse%logon_user(n)%,where<n>isthemaximumnumberofcharacters
obtainedfromtheactualloggedinuserwhenthenameisresolved.Use<n>ifyou
theusernamemustberesolvedtonomorethanacertainnumberofcharacters.
Forexample,ifyouspecifythat3randomcharactersaretobeaddedtotheactual
usernameandyouwanttolimittheresolvednameto15characters,set<n>to12.
YourentryintheNamefieldintheSystemOptionspanelis
%logon_user(12)%%random_alpha_digit(3)%.
Including(n)intheplaceholderisoptional.Ifyouuseonly%logon_user% orif
youset<n>tozero(0),theplaceholderresolvestothefullloggedinusername.
%host_name% or %host_name(n)% Thenameofthehostcomputer(usually

usedwithsomeadditionalrandomnumberorname).
Youcanuse%host_name(n)%,where<n>isthemaximumnumberofcharacters
obtainedfromtheactualcomputerhostnamewhenthenameisresolved.Use<n>
ifthehostnamemustberesolvedtonotmorethanacertainnumberofcharacters.
Forexample,ifyouspecifythat3randomcharactersaretobeaddedtotheactual
hostnameandyouwanttolimittheresolvednameto15characters,set<n>to12.
YourentryintheComputerNamefieldintheSystemOptionspanelis
%host_name(12)%%random_alpha_digit(3)%.
Including(n)intheplaceholderisoptional.Ifyouuseonly%host_name%,orif
youset<n>tozero(thatis,theplaceholderresolvestothefullhostname.
%random_alpha_digit(n)%Arandomlygeneratedstringoflettersand
numbers,where<n>isthenumberofcharacters.Youmustspecify<n>.
%random_alpha(n)%Arandomlygeneratedstringofletters,where<n>isthe
numberofcharacters.Youmustspecify<n>.
%random_digit(n)%Arandomlygeneratedstringofnumericcharacters,where
<n>isthenumberofcharacters.Youmustspecify<n>.
ForWindowsVistaandWindows7guests,ifthecomputernameismorethan15
characters,theMiniSetupprocessfailsontheusermachine.
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Specify Additional License Information for Windows Server Products

TosupplyadditionallicenseinformationforWindowsServerproducts,youcanadda
filenamedsysprep_license.txttotheACEenabledvirtualmachinedirectory.
To specify additional license information for Windows Server products
1
Useatexteditortocreateafilenamedsysprep_license.txtinthevirtual
machinedirectoryfortheACEenabledvirtualmachine.
Addthefollowinglinetothefile:
AutoMode=[PerSeat | PerServer]
Thislineindicateswhetherthelicenseisforoneclientlicenseorforacertain
numberofclientlicensesforaserver.
3
IfAutoModeissettoPerServer,addthefollowinglinetothefile,where<n>
indicatesthenumberofclientlicensesfortheserver:
AutoUsers=<n>
Formoreinformation,gototheMicrosoftTechNetWebsiteandintheWindowsServer
Library,searchfor[LicenseFilePrintData](Sysprep).
Ifthisfileisnotfoundinthevirtualmachinedirectory,adefaultisused.AutoModeis
settoPerServerwith5clientlicenses.
Ifyousupplythisfile,thelicenseportionoftheMiniSetupprocessappearsunchanged
duringpreview.YoualwaysseeAutoMode=PerServerandAutoUsers=5inthe
MiniSetupuserinterface.Thelicenseinformationyousupplyisneverthelessset
correctlybytheMiniSetupprocess.
Set Up a Remote Domain Join

TheremotedomainjoinfeatureprovidesanautomatedwaytojoinACEinstancestoa
domainfromaremotesite.
AftertheACEpackageisinstalledontheendusersmachineandtheACEinstanceis
activatedandauthenticated,theMicrosoftMiniSetupprocessruns.Thescriptfor
joiningtheremoteACEinstancetothedomainexecutesattheendofthatprocess,and
themachineisjoinedtothedomain.
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DeterminewhichVPNclienttodownload.TheVPNclientmustsupporta
commandlineinterfacesothatascriptcanbeusedforloggingintotheVPN
server.YoumightneedtocontacttheVPNproductstechnicalsupporttofindout
whethertheVPNclientsupportsacommandlineinterface.
ObtainaVPNaccountforloggingintotheserver.Credentialsincludeausername
andpassword.Randomlygeneratedsecuritytokenscannotbeusedaspasswords.
Forexample,youcannotuseanRSAsecuritytoken.
DeterminethefollowinginformationtousefortheVPNclientprofile:the
companysgroupandpasswordinformationandthenameoftheVPNserverto
contacttoestablishasecureconnection.
DeterminethenameofthedomainthatyouplantoaddtheACEinstanceto.
Determinetheusernameandpasswordforanaccountthathaspermissiontoadd
computerstothedomain.
To set up a remote domain join

1
IntheguestoperatingsystemoftheACEenabledvirtualmachine,installaVPN
clientthatsupportsacommandlineinterface.
UsetheVPNclientsoftwaretoconfigureaprofileforthisclient.
TheprofileintheVPNclientcontainsacompanysgroupandpassword
informationanddetermineswhichservertocontacttoestablishasecure
connection.
Writea.batscriptthatallowsremoteexecutionduringtheinstancecustomization
process.
Followingisanexampleofa.batscriptforaCiscoVPNclient:
"net" start "Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service"
"C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\vpnclient.exe" connect
<profile_name> user <vpn_user_name> pwd %1 >> vpnlogs.txt
Thisexampleconsistsoftwolines.ThecommandinthefirstlinestartstheCisco
VPNclientsbackgroundservice.Thecommandinthesecondlineconnectstothe
CiscoVPNusingacommandlineinterface.ItsuppliesthenameoftheVPNprofile
andthecredentialsforloggingintotheVPNserver.Theexampleusesthe
passwordplaceholdervariable,butyoucouldalsouseastaticpasswordforthe
VPNaccount.Astaticpasswordincludedinascriptissentincleartext.
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Savethe.batfileontheC:driveoftheguestsfilesystem.
InWorkstation,selecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineandchooseVM>ACE>
DeploymentSettings.
SelectWorkgrouporDomain.
Inthesettingspanel,selectDomainandspecifyanorganizationalunitanduser
nameforanaccountthathaspermissiontoaddcomputerstothedomain.
AnexampleofanentryintheOUfullpathfileis
OU=orgunits,DC=dpt,DC=domain,DC=com.
IftheACEenabledvirtualmachineismanaged,passwordsandcommandsare
storedonACEManagementServer.
IftheACEenabledvirtualmachineisstandalone,passwordsandcommandsare
storedwiththepackage.Besuretouseencryptionforthepackage.
SelectEnableRemoteDomainJoin.
SpecifythepasswordforloggingintotheVPNserver.
Youcanthenusethe%password%placeholdervariableintheCommandtextbox
torefertothispassword.
10
Enterthecommandthatexecutesthescript.
Forexample,ifyounamethe.batscriptvpn.batandwanttousethepassword
placeholdervariable,enterthefollowingcommand:
C:\vpn.bat%password%
Ifyouuseapasswordplaceholdervariable(%password%)intheCommandfield,
theplaceholdervariableisresolvedandreplacedwiththevaluefromthe
Passwordfieldwhenthescriptexecutes.
11 ClickOK.
Tocreateapackagewiththesesettings,seeCreatingaPackageonpage 449.
Custom EULA Settings

Youcanprovideacustomenduserlicenseagreement(EULA)thatappearswhenan
ACEinstanceisactivated.Theusermustseeandaccepttheagreementbeforethe
instancecanrunforthefirsttime.
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ThecustomEULAmustbeatextfilelocatedintheACE Resourcesdirectoryforthe
ACEenabledvirtualmachine.Thefilecanusethefollowingformats:
ForWindowshosts,usea.txtor.rtffile.
ForLinuxhosts,usea.txtfile.
IfyouplantodeploythepackagetobothWindowsandLinuxcomputers,usea
.txtfile.
TospecifywhethertodeploytoWindowshosts,Linuxhosts,orboth,usethe
DeploymentPlatformsettinginthedeploymentsettingseditor.
Deployment Platform Settings

Bydefault,ACEpackagesarecreatedforWindowshosts.Changethissettingtodeploy
toLinuxorbothLinuxandWindowshosts.
ACE Resources Directory

TheACE ResourcesdirectoryisasubdirectoryoftheACEenabledvirtualmachines
directory.AllfilesplacedinthisdirectoryarecopiedintotheACEpackagesothatthey
canbeusedinendusersvirtualmachines.
PlacethefollowingtypesoffilesintheACE Resourcesdirectory:
Authenticationscripts
SeeUsinganAuthenticationScriptonpage 394.
Poweronandpoweroffscripts
SeeIncludeaPowerOnandPowerOffScriptinthePackageonpage 394.
Otherresourcefilesthatauthentication,poweron,orpoweroffscriptscall
DevicefilessuchasISOimagesorFLPimagesthatthevirtualmachineis
configuredtopointto
Theskinfile,whichyoucancreatetocustomizetheVMwarePlayericons,
removabledeviceicons,andtitlebartextusedintheVMwarePlayeruserinterface
onWindowsguests
SeeCreateandSpecifyaSkinFileonpage 428.
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IconfilesforremovabledevicesortheVMwarePlayerapplication
SeeCustomizingtheVMwarePlayerIconsonpage 429andCustomizingthe
RemovableDeviceDisplayonpage 430.
CustomEULAs
SeeCustomEULASettingsonpage 445.
WhenyouusetheACE Resourcesdirectory,takethefollowingconsiderationsinto
account:
DonotplacefilesinasubdirectoryoftheACE Resourcesdirectory.Ifscriptsor
skinfilesreferenceotherfiles,placethoseotherfilesinthemainACE Resources
directory.Makesurethescriptusesrelativepathstoreferencethoseresources.
AresourceisconsideredanyfileintheACE Resourcesdirectory.Youcanspecify
whethertoverifyallfilesintheACE Resourcesdirectoryorjustthepolicyscripts
inthatdirectory.Formoreinformation,seeSettingResourceSigningPolicieson
page 401.
IfyouchangeapolicyorpackagesettingthatrequirestheACE Resources
directory,youmustcreateanupdatepackagetodeploythechangetoendusers.
Review the Configuration of an ACE-Enabled Virtual

Machine
TofinishpreparingyourACEenabledvirtualmachineanditsfilesforpackaging,
reviewitsconfigurationandpoliciesandensurethattheappropriateoperatingsystem
andsoftwareareinstalledinit.
To review the configuration of an ACE-enabled virtual machine
1
VerifythattheACEenabledvirtualmachinehasthenecessaryoperatingsystem,
applicationsoftware,andVMwareToolsinstalled.
SeeInstallingVMwareToolsonpage 104.Forguestoperatingsystemsupport,
knownissues,andinstallationinstructions,seetheonlineVMwareCompatibility
Guide.GototheVMwareWebsiteandselectResources>CompatibilityGuides,
andclicktheViewtheGuest/HostOStabontheVMwareCompatibilityGuide
Websitelink.
Toreviewconfigurationsettings,selecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineand
chooseView>CurrentView>Summary.
Toreviewvirtualmachinedevicesandvirtualhardware,clicktheDevicestabin
thesummaryview.
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Toreviewvirtualmachineconfigurationoptions,clicktheOptionstab.
Tomakechangestodevicesoroptions,clickEditvirtualmachinesettingsinthe
Commandslist.
Toreviewpoliciesanddeploymentsettings,clicktheACEtab.
Tomakechangestopoliciesordeploymentsettings,clickEditpoliciesorEdit
deploymentsettingsintheCommandslist.
Use Preview Mode to Test Policy and Deployment

Settings
Previewmodeenablesyoutoseetheeffectsofchangedpolicieswithouthavingto
packageanddeploythem.Previewmodealsoenablesyoutoseetheeffectsofsetup
choiceswithouthavingtocreate,deploy,andinstallafullpackage.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythatthesettingsanddeploymentplatformsyouwanttotest
areappropriateforpreviewmode.BecauseACEfeaturesareavailableonlyinthe
WindowsversionofWorkstation,youcannotusepreviewmodetorunACEinstances
createdforLinuxhosts.Youalsocannottestahostpolicyinpreviewmode.TotestACE
instancesthatyouplantodeployonLinuxhosts,orforwhichyouwanttotestahost
policy,seePerformanEndtoEndDeploymentTestonpage 455.
YoucanruntheACEinstanceinpreviewmodeinVMwarePlayerandalsorunthe
ACEenabledvirtualmachineinWorkstationwithouthavingtoshutdownthe
preview.
NOTEYoucanrunanyACEenabledvirtualmachinedirectlyinWorkstationtobesure
thattheguestoperatingsystemandapplicationsperformasexpected.However,an
ACEenabledvirtualmachinerunninginWorkstationdoesnotrespectanypoliciesthat
restrictitsfunctionality.
To use preview mode to test policy and deployment settings
448
OpentheACEenabledvirtualmachinetotest.
Inthesummaryview,clickEditpoliciesintheCommandslist.
InthePolicylist,selectthepolicytochange,completethesettingspanelforthat
policy,andclickOK.
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Inthesummaryview,clickthePreviewinPlayerintheCommandslist.
Apackagebasedonalinkedcloneiscreatedinanewdirectory,Preview
Deployment,insidetheACEenabledvirtualmachinesdirectory.Thelinkedclone
iscreatedfromasnapshotofthevirtualmachinescurrentstate.Unlikeapackage
thatisdeployedtoanACEusersmachine,thispackageisnotinstalled.
VMwarePlayerallowsyoutoactivateandauthenticatetheACEinstance(ifthose
policiesareset).Ifconfigured,instancecustomizationisalsoperformed.Theguest
operatingsystemstarts.
TestthepolicychangeintherunningACEinstancetoensurethatitistheoneyou
wanttomake.
PreviewmodeenablesVMwarePlayertoruninteractivelysothatyoucanseeany
instancecustomizationerrorsandmakecorrectionsasneeded.
(Optional)Tomakeadditionalchangestopoliciesordeploymentsettings,shut
downthevirtualmachineandrepeatthisprocedure.
YoucanhaveonlyonepreviewinstanceperACEenabledvirtualmachine.When
youclickPreviewinPlayerasecondorsubsequenttime,amessageasksifyou
wanttoreplacethecurrentpreviewinstancewithanewdeploymentorusethe
existingdeployment.
Tochangeonlypoliciesandnotrepeattheactivationandinstancecustomization
steps,usetheexistingdeployment.
IfACEManagementServerismanagingthevirtualmachine,clickPublish
PoliciestoServer.
Creating a Package
AfteryoucreateanACEenabledvirtualmachineandconfigurepolicies,devices,and
deploymentsettings,usetheNewPackagewizardtocreateapackagethatyoucan
deploytousers.
NOTETocreateaPocketACEpackagefordistributiononportabledevices,usethe
PocketACEPackagewizardratherthantheNewPackagewizard.SeeCreateaPocket
ACEPackageonpage 460.
ForpackagesthatyouplantodeploytoWindowshosts,youcanspecifythatthe
packagebedistributedthroughanetworkimageorthroughDVDsorCDs.ForDVD
andCDdistribution,thepackageisdividedintofilesthatfitonstandarddiscs.
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Overview of Package Creation and Validation

DependingonwhetheryouwanttodeployanewACEinstanceorupdateaninstalled
one,youcancreateanyofthefollowingtypesofpackages:
FullIncludesaninstallerandtheadditionalfilesneededtoinstallanACE
packageandtheVMwarePlayerapplicationthatrunstheACEinstance.Afull
packageallowsyoutocreateacompletelynewACEinstance.
CAUTIONIfyoureplaceanexistingACEinstancebysupplyinganewfull
package,endusersloseanydataorcustomsettingsstoredintheolderACE
instance.
PolicyUpdateorServerUpdateIncludesjustthepolicyrelatedfiles.
ForstandaloneACEenabledvirtualmachines,theoptionisPolicyUpdate.
Formanagedvirtualmachines,theoptionisServerUpdate.
Amongotherpolicies,aserverupdatepackageallowsyoutochangethe
serverthattheACEenabledvirtualmachineisassociatedwithorchangean
activationonlyserversetuptoanactivationandtrackingsetup.
CustomAllowsyoutochoosespecificitemstodeploy.
PocketACEThecomponentsforaPocketACEpackagevaryslightlyfromthose
forthefullpackage.ForinformationaboutthePocketACEpackage,seeCreatea
PocketACEPackageonpage 460.
ThedeploymentsettingsanddevicesettingsthatyoualreadysetforanACEenabled
virtualmachineallowyoutocreatemultiplepackagesquickly.Youcanusethesame
settingsagainandagain.
PackagevalidationoccursafteryoucompletetheNewPackagewizard.Package
validationdoesthefollowing:
ChecksthatallfilesthattheACEenabledvirtualmachinerequiresarepresent.
Thosefilesinclude:
Diskandsnapshotfiles
Scriptfiles(ifanypolicyisusingscripts)
NOTEPackagevalidationdoesnotcheckfordevicefiles(ISOimages,FLPimages,
andsoon).Toincludedevicefilesinthepackage,putthefilesintheACE
ResourcesfolderfortheACEenabledvirtualmachineandsetthedevicestopoint
tothatlocation.
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ChecksthattheACEenabledvirtualmachinecanbecloned:thatitispoweredoff,
multiplesnapshotsareenabled,anditisnotreadonly.
ChecksthatthelatestversionofVMwareToolsisinstalled.
Ifinstancecustomizationisenabled,checksthattheSysprepToolsdirectoryfor
theACEenabledvirtualmachinesguestoperatingsystemisnotempty.
IftheguestoperatingsystemisWindows2000,WindowsXP,orWindows2003,
checksthatthefoldersintheProgram Files\VMware\VMware
Workstation\Resources\SysprepToolsfolderarenotempty.
YoucandeployapackageoveranetworkoronDVDorCD.Ifyoudeploythepackage
ondiscs,thefirstdiscofthesetincludestheAutorunfilesneededtostarttheinstaller
automaticallywhentheuserinsertsthediscinthehostcomputersdrive.
Turn Off the VMware Tools Check for Test Deployments

IfyoudonothavethelatestversionofVMwareToolsinstalledintheguestoperating
system,thewizardfailstocreatethepackage.Tocreatepackageswithoutinstallingthe
latestVMwareToolsversioneachtimeforexample,ifyouwanttoperformatest
deploymentyoucanturnofftheVMwareToolscheck.
To turn off the VMware Tools check for test deployments
1
CloseWorkstation.
Useatexteditortoopenthepreferences.inifile,whichislocatedinthe
followingdirectory:
OnWindowsXP:C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application

Data\VMware
C:\Users\<test>\AppData\Roaming\VMware
Addthefollowinglinetothefile:
pref.ignoreToolsPkgCheck = "TRUE"
SettingthislinetoFALSEreinstatestheVMwareToolscheck.
3
Saveandclosethepreferences.ini file.
Beforeyoucreatepackagesthatyouplantodeployinproductionenvironments,
reinstatetheVMwareToolscheck.
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Prerequisites for Using the Packaging Wizards

ThefollowingprerequisitesapplytotheNewPackagewizardandthePocketACE
Packagewizard:
EnsurethattheguestoperatingsystemandthemostrecentversionofVMware
ToolsareinstalledintheACEenabledvirtualmachine.SeeInstallingVMware
Toolsonpage 104.
Defragmentvirtualdiskstoensurethatthepackageisascompactaspossible.See
DefragmentVirtualDisksonpage 239.
PreviewtheACEinstancetoverifythatallsettingsareworkingcorrectly.SeeUse
PreviewModetoTestPolicyandDeploymentSettingsonpage 448.
Determinethepasswordsusedforthepoliciesanddeploymentsettings.Thesecan
includethefollowing:
ActivationpasswordAccesscontrolpolicyissettoPassword.
DomainjoincredentialsAccesscontrolpolicyfortheACEinstanceissetto
Password,andtheInstanceCustomizationdeploymentsettingforDomain
isenabled.Thispasswordisfortheuseraccountthathaspermissiontoadd
computerstothisdomain.
RemotedomainjoincredentialsandVPNcredentialsTheInstance
CustomizationdeploymentsettingsforDomainandEnableremotedomain
joinareenabled.Thedomainpasswordisfortheuseraccountthathas
permissiontoaddcomputerstothisdomain.ThepasswordintheRemote
domainjoinsectionisfortheuseraccountthathaspermissiontoaccessthe
VPNserver.
Verifythatyouhaveenoughdiskspacefortemporaryfilescreatedduring
packaging.Youmusthavetwicethecombinedsizesofallthecomponentsofthe
package.
Thewizarddisplaysinformationabouttheamountofspaceneededandthe
locationswherethespaceisneeded.Ifyoudonothaveenoughfreespace,youcan
moveordeletefilesonthetargetdrivestomakeroomforthewizardsworking
files.
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Determinethetypeofpackageyouwanttodeploy:full,update,orcustom.See
OverviewofPackageCreationandValidationonpage 450.
TodistributethepackageonDVDsorCDs,determinehowmuchdiskspaceis
available.Youcanthenspecifythemaximumfilesizeusedwhenthepackageis
dividedintomultiplefiles.
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Touseinstancecustomization,verifythatthefollowingprerequisitesaresatisfied:
MakesurethattheguestoperatingsystemisWindowsXP,Windows2000,or
WindowsServer2003,WindowsVista,orWindows7.
CopytheMicrosoftSysprepDeploymentToolsintothecorrectfolderforthe
virtualmachine.SeeDownloadtheMicrosoftSysprepDeploymentToolson
page 440.
Ifthesetoolsarenotavailable,thepackagingoperationfails.Thefailuremightnot
occuruntilwellintothepackagingprocessandmightcauseyoutolosesubstantial
time.
Usepreviewmodetotestwhetherinstancecustomizationrunsunattended.
For example,verifythatavalidWindowsproductIDisusedsothatnodialogbox
promptsfortheproductIDduringtheMiniSetupprocess.
Ifyouconfiguredautomaticlogin,usepreviewmodetoverifythatautomaticlogin
workscorrectly.Ifitfails,instancecustomizationfails.
Use the New Package Wizard

TheNewPackagewizardcreatesanexecutablefilethatcontainsanACEenabled
virtualmachine,itspolicies,deploymentsettings,scripts,andacopyofVMware
Player.Youcaneasilydeployandinstallthepackageonendusersmachines.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythatthepackagingprerequisitesaresatisfied.See
PrerequisitesforUsingthePackagingWizardsonpage 452.
To use the New Package wizard
1
OpentheACEenabledvirtualmachinetouseasthebasisforthepackage.
Whenyouexitpreviewmode,bydefaultVMwarePlayersuspendsthevirtual
machine.Ifnecessary,useWorkstationtopoweroffthevirtualmachine.
ChooseVM>ACE>NewPackage.
CompletetheNewPackagewizard.
(Optional)Ifyouarepromptedtoselectapackagedistributionformatandyou
selectMultiplefoldersforcreatingDVDsorCDs,writedownthedisclabelprefix
youspecify.
Whenyoulaterusediscburningsoftwaretocreatethediscs,thenameyouenter
foreachdiscmustbethesameasthenameofthefolderthewizardcreatestohold
thatdiscscontents(forexample,DISC1,DISC2).
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Tobeginthepackagingprocess,clickNextonthePackageSummarypage.
Packagecreationtakesasubstantialamountoftime,especiallyforpackagesthat
includelargevirtualmachinesorinstancecustomizationsettings.
Duringtheinstancecustomizationstage,iftheguestoperatingsystemdoesnot
shutdownafterapproximately10minutes,theproblemmightbethattheSysprep
toolswerenotinplace.Theoperationiscancelledandanerrormessagetellsyou
thatinstancecustomizationfailed.
ThePackageCreationCompletepageappearswhentheprocessiscomplete.Itlists
thelocationofthenewlycreatedpackageandprovidesalinktothepackage
directory.
Dependingonwhichdistributionmethodyouchose,dooneofthefollowing:
Ifyoucreatedasinglefilefornetworkdistribution,copythefiletothe
appropriatelocationonanetwork.
IfyoucreatedoneormorefilesfordistributiononCDorDVD,use
discburningsoftwaretocreatethediscs.Followtheseguidelines:
Thedisclabelyouenterinyourdiscburningsoftwareforeachdiscmust
bethesameasthenameofthefolderthewizardcreatestoholdthatdiscs
contents.
Burnthecontentsofeachdiscontothetoplevelofthedisc.
Thepackageinstallerexpectstofindonlythecontentsofthefolder,and
notthefolderitself,attherootlevelonthedisc.Ifyouburnthefolder
itselfontothedisc,whenyouattempttoinstallthecontentsofthesecond
orsubsequentdiscsontheusersmachine,theerror1309,Error
reading from file <filename>,appears.
View Package Properties and Add Notes

UsethePackagePropertiesdialogboxtoviewpropertiesofthepackagesthatyou
created.AlsoaddoreditnotesthatappearinthesummaryviewoftheACEenabled
virtualmachine.
To view package properties and add notes
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OpentheACEenabledvirtualmachine.
ChooseView>CurrentView>Summary.
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OnthePackagestab,doubleclickthepackagename.
InthePackagePropertiesdialogbox,clickthetabstoviewtheproperties.
ClicktheNotestabtoaddoreditnotes.
Existingnotesmighthavebeenaddedwhenthepackagewascreatedusingthe
NewPackagewizard.Thesenotesarenotbeseenbyendusers.Theyarevisible
onlyintheWorkstationwindow.
Perform an End-to-End Deployment Test

PerformanendtoendtesttodeployanewACEpackageratherthanapackageupdate.
Alsouseanendtoendtestifusingpreviewmodeisnotappropriate.
BecauseWorkstationrunsonlyonWindowshosts,youcannotusepreviewmodeto
runACEinstancesastheywillrunonLinuxhosts.Youalsocannottestahostpolicyin
previewmode.
NOTEThistestmighttakeasubstantialamountoftimebecausepackagingand
encryptionprocessescanbelengthy.
Beforeyoubegin,ifyouplantouseanACEManagementServertomanagetheACE
instances,installandconfigureatestACEManagementServer.SeetheVMwareACE
ManagementServerAdministratorsGuide.
To perform an end-to-end deployment test
1
IfyouusetheACEManagementServer,selecttheACEenabledvirtualmachine,
chooseFile>ConnecttoACEManagementServer,andconnecttothetestserver.
Inthevirtualmachinessummaryview,clickCreatenewpackageinthe
Commandslist.
CompletetheNewPackagewizard.
Navigatetothepackagelocationandcopythepackagedirectorytoaclienttest
machine.
Ontheclienttestmachine,runtheACEinstancessetup.exefileandcompletethe
pagesoftheinstallationwizard.
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StarttheACEinstanceandactivateitwhenprompted.
Dependingonhowyouconfiguredthepackage,aStartmenuitemoradesktop
shortcutorbotharecreatedontheclientmachine.Dependingontheruntime
preferencesyouset,theACEinstancemightstartinfullscreenmodewhenthe
hostsystemstarts.
VerifythattheACEinstanceisconfiguredasyouintendedandrunsasyouexpect.
IfyouuseACEManagementServer,connecttheACEenabledvirtualmachineto
theproductionserver.
Ontheadministratormachine,inWorkstation,selecttheACEenabledvirtual
machineandchooseFile>ConnecttoACEManagementServer,andconnectto
theproductionserver.
IfyouuseACEManagementServer,createanewpackage.
Thepackageyoucreatedforthetestreferstotheserveryouusedfortesting.
Instancescreatedfromthatpackagerefertothetestserver.
Deploy Packages
DeployingpackagesmeansmakingtheACEpackageavailabletoendusers.You
specifythedistributionmethodwhenyoucreatethepackage.
To deploy packages
Dependingonthetypeofpackage,dooneofthefollowing:
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Forafull,policyupdate,serverupdate,orcustompackage,distributethepackage
onCDorDVD,ormakethepackageavailableonanetwork.
ForaPocketACEpackage,seeDeployingtheACEPackageonaPortableDevice
onpage 461.
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Pocket ACE
21
ThePocketACEfeatureenablesyoutostoreACEinstancesonportabledevicessuchas
USBkeys(flashmemorydrives),AppleiPodmobiledigitaldevices,andportablehard
drives.ACEusersattachtheseportabledevicestox86hostcomputers,runtheirACE
instanceswithVMwarePlayer,andthendetachtheportabledevices.Thenexttime
theyneedaccesstotheirACEinstances,theycanattachthedevicestothesamehost
computersortodifferentcomputers.
UsePocketACEtopackageadailycomputingenvironmentandallowenduserstotake
thatenvironmentincludingdocuments,settings,applications,andVPN
accesswherevertheyneedtogo.
UseCasesforPocketACEonpage 458
PortableDeviceRequirementsonpage 459
PoliciesandDeploymentSettingsforPocketACEonpage 460
CreateaPocketACEPackageonpage 460
DeployingtheACEPackageonaPortableDeviceonpage 461
RunthePocketACEInstanceonpage 463
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Use Cases for Pocket ACE

UsethefollowingscenariostodeterminewhentousePocketACEandwhichkindsof
policiestosetforvarioussituations:
ProvidingaccesstoemployeesworkingremotelyEmployeesoftenusetheir
ownhomecomputerforaccessingenterpriseresourcesremotely.Unmanaged
clientscanbeinfectedbymalwareorspyware.Inaddition,thereisariskoflost
dataifaremoteuserdownloadssensitivedatatoapersonalcomputer.Thereis
alsotheaddedburdenofdeployingandmanagingthesoftwareneededbyremote
users.
UsingPocketACE,ITadministratorscandeployatrusted,managed,andmore
securevirtualdesktopinstancetoremoteusers.ThevirtualdiskofthePocketACE
canbeencryptedtominimizetheriskoflostdata.Bysettingspecificnetwork
quarantinepolicies,administratorscanstrictlycontroltrafficbetweenthe
untrustedclientandPocketACEinstance,protectingtheenterprisefromcreating
acompromisedhost.
IncreasingthesecurityandmobilityofmobileusersMobileusersoftenaccess
orcarrysensitivedataoutsidetheenterpriseusinglaptopsorothermobiledevices.
ThequestionforITorganizationsisnotif,butwhen,amobileuserslaptopwillbe
lostorstolen,leadingtothelossofsensitiveorconfidentialdata.
UsingPocketACEtodeployadesktopenvironmenttomobileusers,IT
administratorscanreducetheriskoflostdatawhilealsoincreasingusersmobility
becausePocketACEinstancecanbeusedwithanysupportedx86system.A
desktopinstancewithanencrypteddiskcanbedeployedtomobileusers.Using
ACEManagementServer,alostorstolenPocketACEcanbedisabledremotely.
Providingtemporaryaccesstocontractworkersusinguntrustedhosts
Contractorsandbusinesspartnersoftenconnecttotheenterprisenetworkfrom
unknownoruntrustedclients.PocketACEcanbeusedtoprovideastandardized,
trusted,andmanagedenvironmenttotheseuserswhileenablingsafeconnectivity
toenterpriseresources.
Forcontractors,thePocketACEinstancecanbeconfiguredtobeavailableonly
duringthelengthofthecontract.Whentheexpirationdateisreached,the
contractorcannolongerusethePocketACEinstance.
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Chapter 21 Pocket ACE
ProvidingaccesstooffshoreoutsourcepartnersTypically,offshorepartners
manageandownthedesktopsystemstheyuse.Becausetheseresourcesareowned
byanoutsideorganization,theydonotfallunderstandardITpolicy.Insome
cases,desktopsystemsarepurchased,imaged,andshippedtoanoffshorepartner
foraccessingtheenterprise.Thisisoftenalengthyandcostlyprocess.
WithPocketACE,ITadministratorscaneasilydeployatrusted,managed,and
moresecurevirtualdesktopinstancetooffshorepartners.Thevirtualdesktop
instancescanbedistributedusingportablemediaordownload.Securityfeatures
includethedataencryptionfeatureandthenetworkquarantineandrestriction
featuresalreadymentioned.
ProvidingdisasterrecoveryUsingPocketACE,organizationscaneasilypackage
desktopinstanceswithallthenecessaryenterpriseapplicationsforuseinthecase
ofadisaster.Theseinstancescanbedeployedtoportablemediadevicesandstored
safelyinasecureoffsitefacility.Ifadisasteroccurs,thePocketACEinstancescan
bequicklydistributedandused.
DistributingbetaortrialsoftwareUsingPocketACE,ISVscandistribute
softwarepreinstalledasavirtualapplianceeitherbydownloadoronaportable
mediadevice.AnISVcanprovideacompleteworkingenvironment,ensuringno
compatibilityissues.CustomEULAscanbecreatedandusedtoensurethatauser
acceptstheagreementpriortousinganACEinstance.Inaddition,anexpiration
periodcanbesetthatdisablesanACEinstanceafteranallottedperiodoftime.
Portable Device Requirements

YoucaninstallACEpackagesonthefollowingtypesofdevices:
Flashmemorydrives(USBkeys)
FlashbasedAppleiPodmobiledigitaldevices
HarddrivebasedAppleiPodmobiledigitaldevices
Portableharddrives
ForUSBdevices,useUSB2highspeeddevicesonly.
WhenaPocketACEpackageisdeployedtoaremovabledevice,thevirtualdiskis
preallocatedtofullcapacityforenhancedperformance.Makesurethattheremovable
devicehasenoughdiskspacetostorethevirtualdiskstotalcapacity,memory,and
approximately300MBforoverhead.SeeUsetheNewVirtualMachineWizardon
page 89.
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Policies and Deployment Settings for Pocket ACE

SomepoliciesapplyonlytoPocketACE.YoucansetPocketACEclosebehaviorby
editingtheruntimepreferencespolicy.
ClosebehaviordetermineswhethertheACEinstanceispoweredofforsuspended
whentheuserexitsandwhetherchangesaresynchronizedontheremovabledevice.
SeePocketACECacheSettingsonpage 417.
PocketACEignoressomepolicies.Althoughyoucansethostandsnapshotpoliciesand
createapackagethatincludesthem,PocketACEinstancesignorethesepolicies.
AdministratorscannotreverttoreimagesnapshotswhenrunningaPocketACEin
administratormodeinVMwarePlayer.
Create a Pocket ACE Package

Beforeyoubegin,determinethefollowinginformation,whichisspecifictoPocket
ACE:
Makesuretheportabledevicemeetsthehardwareanddiskspacerequirementsfor
PocketACE.SeePortableDeviceRequirementsonpage 459.
DeterminewhetheryouwanttodeploythePocketACEtoWindowsmachines,
32bitLinuxmachines,64bitLinuxmachines,orsomecombination.Yourchoices
affectthediskspacerequirements.
Determinethepasswordyouwanttouseforanyonewhoattemptstodeploythe
packagetoaportabledevice.
Ifyoudonotwanttorequireapassword,makesuretheaccesscontrolpolicys
authenticationtypeissettoNone.Makesuretheencryptiondeploymentsetting
forpackageprotectionissettoNone.
Inaddition,completethetaskslistedinPrerequisitesforUsingthePackaging
Wizardsonpage 452.
To create a Pocket ACE package
1
OpentheACEenabledvirtualmachinetouseasthebasisforthepackage.
Whenyouexitpreviewmode,bydefaultVMwarePlayersuspendsthevirtual
machine.Ifnecessary,useWorkstationtopoweroffthevirtualmachine.
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TocreateanewPocketACEoranupdatepackage,chooseVM>ACE>New
PocketACEPackage.
Completethewizard.
WhenyouspecifyalocationontheNamethePackagepage,choosealocationon
theadministratormachine.Donotspecifyalocationontheportabledevice.You
deploythepackagetothedeviceafterthepackageiscreated.
TheCompletingthePocketACEPackageWizardpageappearswhentheprocess
iscomplete.
(Optional)Todeploythepackageimmediately,selectDeploytoaportabledevice
now.
Ifyoudonotdeploythepackageimmediately,seeDeployingtheACEPackageona
PortableDevice.
Deploying the ACE Package on a Portable Device

YoucandeploymultipleACEpackagesonasingleportabledevice.Theonlylimitation
onthenumberofpackagesistheamountofavailablespaceonthedevice.
Runthedeploy.exefiletousetheGUIdeploymentutility.UsethebulkDeploy.exe
programtousethecommandlinedeploymentutility.Youcancreateabatchfilethat
containsmultiplebulkDeploycommandstodeploymultipleACEpackagestoa
portabledevice.
Thewizardautomaticallypreallocatesdiskspaceandsplitsthediskinto2GB
segments.
ThePocketACEinstanceisreencryptedduringthedeploymentinsteadofafterthe
usersfirstrunoftheinstance.Forthisreencryption,thepolicyappliedisthepackage
protectionpolicythatwasinplaceatthetimeofpackaging.
Use the Graphical Utility to Deploy Pocket ACE Packages

Beforeyoubegin,makesuretheremovabledevicemeetsthehardwareanddiskspace
requirements.SeePortableDeviceRequirementsonpage 459.
To use the graphical utility to deploy Pocket ACE packages
1
NavigatetothepackagelocationyouspecifiedintheNewPocketACEPackage
wizard.
Doubleclickthedeploy.exe file.
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IftheEnterPassworddialogboxappears,enterthedeploymentpassword.
CompletetheVMwarePocketACEDeployUtilitydialogboxandclickDeploy.
WhenyoudistributethePocketACE,giveitdirectlytotheuserandtelltheusertokeep
thePocketACEsecureuntiltheuserrunstheACEandchangestheuserpassword.
Use the Command-Line Utility to Deploy Pocket ACE Packages

ThebulkDeploy.exeutilityisacommandlineversionoftheVMwarePocketACE
DeployUtilitydialogbox(deploy.exe).UsebulkDeploy.execommandsinabatch
filetodeployoneormorePocketACEpackagestothesameormultipletarget
directoriesorremovabledevices.
Beforeyoubegin,makesuretheremovabledevicemeetsthehardwareanddiskspace
requirements.SeePortableDeviceRequirementsonpage 459.
IfyouplantodeploythePocketACEpackagetoacustomfolderratherthana
removabledrive,createthefolder.
To use the command-line utility to deploy Pocket ACE packages
1
Openacommandpromptandchangedirectoriestothepackagelocationyou
specifiedintheNewPocketACEPackagewizard.
Forexample,enterthefollowingcommand:
cd C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\
Virtual Machines\ACE-Enabled Virtual Machine\Packages\Pocket ACE Package
Enterthefollowingbulkdeploymentcommandandspecifythenecessary
parameters:
bulkDeploy.exe <deployment_directory> <parameters>
The<deployment_directory>valuecanspecifyaremovabledriveoracustom
folder.
Table 21-1. Deployment Commands
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Parameter
Usage
-p
Deploymentpassword.Requiredwhenthepackageispasswordprotected.
-s
Pathtothe.vmxfileonthehost.Usethisparameteronlyifyouusea
bulkDeploy.exefilethatisnotlocatedinsidethesamePocketACE
packageasthe.vmxfileyouwanttodeploy.
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Table 21-1. Deployment Commands (Continued)

Parameter
Usage
-q
Parametertoturnoffreportingtheprogressofthebulkdeployment.
-t
PerformsaspeedtesttodeterminewhethertheUSBdeviceandthehost
USBstackarefastenoughforPocketACE.Ifthetestissuccessful,0is
returned.Ifitfails,anegativenumberisreturned.Thistestisalwaysdone
atruntimewhenthePocketACEisopened.Itisdonewhenyouusethe
bulkDeploycommandonlyifyouusethe-tparameter.
Forexample,
bulkDeploy.exe E: -p password -s C:\pocketACEPackage\VM\packagedVMX.vmx
-q -t
(Optional)TodeployaPocketACEpackagetomultiplelocations,ortodeploy
multiplepackagestothesameormultiplelocations,createabatchfilewitha
bulkDeploy.execommandoneachline.
Usequotationmarksforpathsthatcontainspaces.Followingisanexampleofa
batchfile:
"C:\My VMs\vm_1\Packages\Pkg_1\bulkDeploy.exe" E: -p password -q -t
"C:\My VMs\vm_1\Packages\Pkg_1\bulkDeploy.exe" F: -p password -s
"C:\My VMs\vm_2\Packages\Pkg_2\VM\Pkg_2.vmx" -q -t
"C:\My VMs\vm_1\Packages\Pkg_1\bulkDeploy.exe" F: -p password -s
"C:\My VMs\vm_3\Packages\Pkg_3\VM\Pkg_3.vmx" -q -t
Run the Pocket ACE Instance

AfteryoudeployaPocketACEpackagetoaremovabledevice,runningitusually
involvesonlypluggingitin.
Beforeyoubegin,makesurethatthehostcomputersclockissettothecorrecttime.If
youmoveaPocketACEfromonehostcomputertoanotherandtheclockofthesecond
hostisearlierthantheclockofthefirst,thePocketACEdoesnotrun.
WhentheACEinstanceruns,itsdiskandcheckpointcachesareinitialized.IfthePocket
ACEhasasessiononthishost,thatsessioncontinues.Otherwiseanewsessionis
started.
Thecheckpointstateandvirtualdiskarecachedonthehostduringuseand
synchronizedbacktotheportabledevicelater.Thecheckpointstateandvirtualdiskare
protectedwiththesameencryptionlevelusedfortheACEinstanceontheportable
device.
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ThePocketACErunsprimarilyfromthehostcache,althoughitoccasionallyreadsfrom
theparentdiskontheportabledevice.TheACEinstancedoesnotwritetotheparent
diskuntilsynchronization.
To run a pocket ACE instance
1
Plugtheportabledeviceintothehostcomputer.
IfthehostsystemsAutorunconfigurationisnotsettostarttheACEinstance
automatically,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindowshosts,navigatetotheremovabledeviceandrunthePocketACE.
Usually,startingthePocketACEmanuallyisnotnecessary.TheAutorun
programisincludedinthepackageandcheckswhetherVMwarePlayeris
installed.Ifnot,VMwarePlayerisinstalledautomatically.
OnLinuxsystems,installVMwarePlayerfromthePlayerdirectoryonthe
USBdrive.
Forexample,iftheUSBdriveismountedat/media/USBFLASH,navigateto
/media/USBFLASH/player.
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InstallVMwarePlayerasdescribedinManuallyInstallVMwarePlayer
onaLinuxHostonpage 469.
UseVMwarePlayertoopenthe.vmx fileandstarttheACEinstance(see
InstalltheACEInstanceonaSingleLinuxHostonpage 470).
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22
Installing ACE Packages
22
InstallinganACEPackageonaWindowsHostonpage 465
InstallinganACEPackageonaLinuxHostonpage 469
UpgradingACEInstancestoACE2.6onpage 473
StartandUseanACEInstanceonpage 474
InstallanACEClientLicenseonpage 478
QuitVMwarePlayeronpage 479
TroubleshootingToolsonpage 479
Installing an ACE Package on a Windows Host

IfanenduserscomputerdoesnotalreadyhaveVMwareACEorVMwarePlayer
installed,thefirsttimeyouinstallanACEpackage,VMwarePlayerisinstalledalong
withtheACEinstance.
YoucaninstallACEinstancesononehostatatime,oryoucanusethesilentinstallation
featuresoftheMicrosoftWindowsInstallertoquicklyinstallanACEinstanceon
multiplecomputers.
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Install an ACE Instance on a Single Windows Host

IfVMwarePlayerisnotalreadyinstalledonthemachine,theinstallationprogram
installsitbeforeinstallingthevirtualmachinefilesthatmakeuptheACEinstance.
Beforeyoubegin,considerthefollowingprerequisites:
MakesurethehostcomputerhasenoughdiskspacefortheACEinstance.
IfthisisthefirstinstallationofanACEinstanceontheusersmachine,auserwith
administrativeprivilegesmustruntheinstallation.Onlyauserwith
administrativeprivilegescaninstallanduninstallVMwarePlayer.
IftheACEinstanceincludesahostpolicy,auserwithadministrativeprivileges
mustruntheinstallation.Ahostpolicyisahostnetworkaccesspolicyorapolicy
thatrestrictswhichvirtualmachinescanrunonahost.SeeSettingNetwork
AccessPoliciesonpage 402andControlWhichACEInstancesRunonaHost
onpage 422.
Onlyonesetofhostpoliciescanbedeployedtoaparticularhost.Ifapackage
containshostpoliciesandthehostalreadycontainshostpoliciesfromanother
package,installationofthesecondpackagefails.
To install an ACE instance on a single Windows host

1
IfVMwarePlayerisnotyetinstalledontheusersmachine,logintothehost
computerastheAdministratoruserorasauserwhoisamemberoftheWindows
Administratorsgroup.
DependingonwhetheryouareinstallingfromaCD,DVD,ornetworklocation,do
oneofthefollowing:
ForCDsandDVDs,insertthefirstdisc.
Foranetworklocation,navigatetothelocationoftheinstaller.
Findthesetup.exefileanddoubleclickit.
Followtheprompts.
Installing an ACE Package Silently on Multiple Windows Hosts

IfyouareinstallingaVMwareACEpackageonanumberofWindowshostcomputers,
youmightwanttousethesilentinstallationfeaturesoftheMicrosoftWindows
Installer.Thistypeofinstallationrequiresthatthehostcomputershaveversion2.0or
lateroftheMSIruntimeengine.Thisversionoftheinstallerisavailableinversionsof
WindowsbeginningwithWindowsXP.Iftheruntimeengineisnotinstalled,see
InstalltheMSI2.0RuntimeEnginefromanACEPackageonpage 467.
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Chapter 22 Installing ACE Packages
Install the MSI 2.0 Runtime Engine from an ACE Package

TheinstallerfortheMSI2.0runtimeengineisincludedintheVMwareACEpackage
astheinstmsiw.exe file.
To install the MSI 2.0 runtime engine from an ACE package
1
Onthehostcomputer,openacommandprompt.
Enterthefollowingcommand:
instmsiw.exe /Q
ForadditionaldetailsonhowtousetheMicrosoftWindowsInstaller,seetheMicrosoft
Website.
Install an ACE Instance on Multiple Hosts

YoucanusetheMicrosoftWindowsInstallercommandlineinterfacetosilentlyinstall
anACEinstanceonmanycomputers.Endusersarenotpromptedforinformation
duringtheinstallationprocess.
Beforeyoubegin,verifythatthehostcomputershaveversion2.0orlateroftheMSI
runtimeengine.
Youcancustomizethebasicpackageinstallationcommandtospecifyoneormoreof
thefollowing:
InstallationdirectoryfortheACEinstance
InstallationdirectoryforVMwarePlayer
Installationwithoutadesktopicon
Youcanalsoinstallanupgradesilently.Anupgradeisalwaysinstalledinthesame
directoryordirectoriesasthepreviouspackage.
To install the ACE instance on multiple hosts
1
Onthehostcomputer,openacommandprompt.
Enterthefollowingcommand:
setup.exe /s/v"/qn"
ThiscommandinstallsthepackageandVMwarePlayer(ifincluded)intothe
defaultlocationsandcreatesashortcutfortheACEinstanceonthedesktop.The
defaultlocationfortheVMwarePlayerapplicationisC:\Program
Files\VMware\VMware Player.
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Thedefaultlocationforthevirtualmachinefiles:
OnWindowsXPisC:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application

Data\VMware\VMware ACE\<ACE_name>.
OnWindowsVistaandWindows7isC:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware
ACE\
Tocustomizethepackage,enterthefollowingcommand:
msiexec -i package.msi <installation_options>
Enterthecommandononeline.Theinstallationoptionsfollow.
Table 22-1. Installation Options
Option
Description
DESKTOP_SHORTCUTS
Whensetto0,skipsinstallationoftheACEinstanceshortcuton
thedesktop.Thedefaultis1.
INSTALLDIR
SetstherootinstallationdirectoryfortheACEinstance.
PLAYER_INSTALLDIR
SetstherootinstallationdirectoryfortheVMwarePlayer
application.
Thefollowingexamplecommandillustratestheoptionsandtheirusage:
msiexec -i package.msi DESKTOP_SHORTCUTS=0
INSTALLDIR="G:\packages"
PLAYER_INSTALLDIR="C:\VMware\VMware Player" /qn
Uninstall VMware Player or an ACE instance from a Windows

Host
UninstallingVMwarePlayerdoesnotuninstalltheACEinstance.Onlythe
AdministratoruserorauserwhoisamemberoftheWindowsAdministratorsgroup
canuninstallVMwarePlayer.
UninstallinganACEinstancedoesnotuninstalltheVMwarePlayerapplication.When
youremoveanACEinstance,theACEinstancesdatafiles,shortcuts,andregistry
entriesareremoved.YoudonotneedtobeanAdministratorusertouninstallanACE
instance.
To uninstall VMware Player or an ACE instance from a Windows host
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GotoStart>ControlPanel>AddorRemovePrograms>ChangeorRemove
Programs.
SelecttheVMwarePlayerprogramortheACEinstanceandclickRemove.
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Followtheinstructionsinthewizard.
(Optional)IfyouusedPocketACEonthishostandwanttoremovethePocketACE
cachetoconservediskspace,deletethefollowingfolder:
OnWindowsXP:C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local

Settings\Application Data\VMware\Roaming VM cache\
C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\VMware\Roaming VM cache
Inthispath,<user>representsauserspecificdirectory.Ifmorethanoneuserused
PocketACEonthehost,youmustremovethedirectoryforeachuser.
Installing an ACE Package on a Linux Host

IfanenduserscomputerdoesnotalreadyhaveVMwareACEorVMwarePlayer
installed,VMwarePlayerisautomaticallyinstalledwhenyouruntheACEpackages
VMware-Player.bundlefileasrootorsudo.
YoucaninstallACEinstancesononehostatatime,oryoucansilentlyinstallanACE
instanceonmultiplecomputers.
Manually Install VMware Player on a Linux Host

ManuallyinstallVMwarePlayeronsystemswheretheenduserdoesnothaveroot
accessanddoesnotalreadyhaveVMwareACEorVMwarePlayerinstalled.
To manually install VMware Player on a Linux host
1
Inaterminalwindow,enterthefollowingcommandtobecometherootuser:
su
MounttheACEpackage,andlocatetheVMwarePlayerinstallerinthepackage
directory.
Dependingonwhetherthehostisa32bitcomputerora64bitcomputer,yousee
oneofthefollowingfilenames:
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VMware-Player-i386.bundle
VMware-Player-x86_64.bundle
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Copythe.bundlefiletoatemporarydirectoryontheharddrive.
Forexample,ifyouhavea64bitcomputerandyouwanttoputthefileinthe/tmp
directory,enterthefollowingcommand:
cp VMware-Player-x86_64.bundle /tmp
Enterthefollowingcommandtochangetothedirectorytowhichyoucopiedthe
file:
cd /tmp
Enterthefollowingcommandtoruntheinstallationprogram:
sh VMware-Player-<architecture>.bundle
The<architecture>valueiseitheri386,for32bitsystems,orx86_64,for64bit
systems.
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Followthewizardpromptsthatappear.
OnmostLinuxdistributions,aGUIwizardappears.OnRedHatEnterpriseLinux
5.1andsomeotherdistributions,acommandlinewizardappears.Inthe
commandlinewizard,toquicklyscrolltotheendofthelicenseagreement
prompt,pressqandaccepttheagreement.
Wheninstallationiscompleted,enterthefollowingcommandtoexitfromthe
rootaccount:
exit
Install the ACE Instance on a Single Linux Host

OnlytheuserwhoinstallstheACEinstanceorauserwithnecessarypermissions(such
asroot)isallowedtorunthatACEinstance.IfVMwarePlayerisnotalreadyinstalled
onthemachine,itisautomaticallyinstalledwhenyouruntheACEpackagessh
VMware-Player-<architecture>.bundle asrootorsudo.
Beforeyoubegin,considerthefollowingprerequisites:
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MakesurethehostcomputerhasenoughdiskspacefortheACEinstance.
TheACEpackagemustbeaccessibletotheLinuxusermachinesforinstallation.
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IfthisisthefirstinstallationofanACEinstanceontheusermachine,arootuser
mustruntheinstallation.OnlyarootusercaninstallanduninstallVMwarePlayer.
IftheACEinstanceincludesahostpolicy,arootusermustruntheinstallation.A
hostpolicyisahostnetworkaccesspolicyorapolicythatrestrictswhichvirtual
machinescanrunonahost.SeeSettingNetworkAccessPoliciesonpage 402and
ControlWhichACEInstancesRunonaHostonpage 422.
Onlyonesetofhostpoliciescanbedeployedtoaparticularhost.Ifapackage
containshostpoliciesandthehostalreadycontainshostpoliciesfromanother
package,installationofthesecondpackagefails.
To install an ACE instance on a single Linux host

1
Copythe.bundlefileforthepackagetothehostcomputer.
Openaterminalwindowandchangetothepackagedirectory.
Enterthefollowingcommandtoruntheinstallationprogram:
./vmware-install.pl
Followthewizardpromptsthatappear.
OnmostLinuxdistributions,aGUIwizarddoesnotappear.OnRedHat
EnterpriseLinux5.1andsomeotherdistributions,acommandlinewizard
appears.Inthecommandlinewizard,toquicklyscrolltotheendofthelicense
agreementprompt,pressqandaccepttheagreement.
Install an ACE Package Silently on Multiple Linux Hosts

YoucansilentlyinstallanACEinstanceonmanycomputers.Endusersarenot
promptedforinformationduringtheinstallationprocess.
To install the ACE instance on multiple Linux hosts
1
Copythe.bundlefileforthepackagetothefirsthostcomputer.
./vmware-install.pl
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Repeatthisprocedureforotherhosts.
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Prepare a Linux Host for Running in Kiosk Mode

OnLinuxhosts,ifyouplantousekioskmodetopreventusersfromaccessingthehost
operatingsystem,youmustsetsomeadditionalproperties.Ifyoudonotpreparethe
host,usersmightbeabletousekeyboardshortcutsorothermechanismstoaccessthe
hostwheninkioskmode.
Beforeyoubegin,createanACEinstancethatusesakioskmodepolicyandinstalliton
aLinuxhost.SeeSettingKioskModePoliciesonpage 420andInstallinganACE
PackageonaLinuxHostonpage 469.
ThepreferredwindowmanagersforrunningACEinstancesinkioskmodeare
F VirtualWindowManager(FVWM)andMetacity.
To prepare a Linux host for running in kiosk mode
1
Useatexteditortoaddthefollowinglinestothehosts~/.vmware/preferences
file:
pref.grabOnKeyPress = "TRUE"
pref.grabOnMouseClick = "TRUE"
AddthefollowinglinestocreateaServerFlagssectioninthe
/etc/X11/xorg.conffile:
Section "ServerFlags"
Option "DontZoom" "true"
Option "DontZap" "true"
Option "DontVTSwitch" "true"
EndSection
RestarttheXsession.
Manuallydisableallkeyboardshortcutsinhostswindowmanager.
IftheDeskbarappletprogramisusedinthepanelonthehost,removeitby
rightclickingitandselectingRemovefromPanel.
Ifyoudonotremovethisapplet,ausercanpressthekeyboardcombinationfor
exitingkioskmodeandthenpressAlt+F3toaccessthehostfilesystem.
Topreventthehostsfilebrowserfromopeningwhenaremovabledeviceis
connectedtothehost,disabletheapplicableoptionsinthehostssystem
preferencesandfilebrowserpreferences.
Forexample,openafilebrowseronthehostandselectEdit>Preferences>Media
anddeselecttheBrowsemediawheninsertedcheckbox.Also,fromthehosts
Systemmenu,selectPreferences>RemovableDevices,orsimilarlynamedtabs,
anddeselectthecheckboxes.
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Uninstall VMware Player or an ACE Instance from a Linux Host

ACEuserscanuninstallonlytheACEinstancesthattheyinstalled.Onlytherootuser
canuninstallothersACEinstances.UninstallinganACEinstancedoesnotuninstall
theVMwarePlayerapplication.WhenyouuninstallanACEinstance,theACE
instancesdatafiles,shortcuts,andregistryentriesareuninstalled.
UninstallingVMwarePlayerdoesnotuninstalltheACEinstance.Onlytherootuser
canuninstallVMwarePlayer.
To uninstall VMware Player or an ACE instance from a Linux host
1
Onthehostcomputer,openaterminalwindow.
Dooneorbothofthefollowing:
TouninstallanACEinstance,enterthefollowingcommand:
<path_to_instance_directory>./vmware-uninstall-ace.pl
TouninstallVMwarePlayer,enterthefollowingcommand:
vmware-installer -u vmware-player
(Optional)IfyouusedPocketACEonthishostandwanttoremovethePocketACE
cachetoconservediskspace,deletethefollowingdirectory:
/home/<user>/.vmware/roamcache
Inthispath,<user>representsauserspecificdirectory.Ifmorethanoneuserused
PocketACEonthehost,youmustremovethedirectoryforeachuser.
Upgrading ACE Instances to ACE 2.6

IfyouhaveACE2.0instances,youcanuseWorkstation7.0andACEManagement
Server2.6tosendnewACE2.6policiestoendusers.
Althoughnewpolicies,suchasPocketACEcachesettingsandnetworkadapter
settingscanbeusedonACE2.0endpoints,thevirtualmachineversionisnotchanged.
Toupgradeendusersvirtualmachinehardwareversion,youmustcreateafull
packageanduseittoreplacetheexistingACEinstance.
WhenyouuninstalltheolderACEinstanceandVMwarePlayerfromtheusers
computer,theenduserlosesanydataorcustomsettingsstoredintheoldACEinstance.
Takethisconsiderationintoaccountwhenchoosingbetweenupgradingthehardware
versionandcontinuingwiththecurrenthardwareversionbutaddingnewACE2.6
policies.
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Start and Use an ACE Instance

WhenyourunanACEinstance,VMwarePlayerstartsandopenstheinstance.Youstart
theinstanceinthesamewaythatyoustartotherapplicationsonthehost.
OneexceptionisiftheadministratorconfigurestheACEinstancetostartandruninfull
screenmodewhenthehostsystemstarts.SeeSettingRuntimePreferencesPolicies
onpage 415.
DependingonhowtheACEinstanceisconfigured,endusersmightberequiredto
enternopassword,one,ortwopasswordswhentheyruntheinstanceforthefirsttime.
Thepossibilitiesare:
Nopasswordsarerequiredatthefirstrunoftheinstanceoronsubsequentruns.
Youmustenteronepasswordatthefirstrun,andthatpasswordissuppliedtoyou
bytheadministrator.Onsubsequentrunsoftheinstance,nopasswordsare
required.
Youmustcreateapasswordatthefirstrun.Onsubsequentruns,youmustenter
thatpassword.
Youmustenteranadministratorsuppliedpasswordatthefirstrunandalsocreate
apassword.Onsubsequentruns,youmustenteronlythepasswordthatyou
created.
Theadministratorcanalsorestricthowmanycharactersorwhichcharacterscanbe
usedinpasswordsthatenduserscreate.SeeAuthenticationSettingsonpage 393.
To start and use an ACE instance
1
Dependingonthehostoperatingsystem,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindowshosts,usethedesktopiconortheStartmenutostarttheACE
instance.
OnLinuxhosts,usetheApplicationsmenuorenterthefollowingcommand
inaterminalwindow:
vmplayer <path_to__package_directory>/<name_of_ACE_vmx_file>.vmx
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Ifpromptedtoenterorcreateapassword,doso.
IftheEnterSerialNumberdialogboxappears,dooneofthefollowing:
Ifyouradministratorprovidedaserialnumber,enterit.
Ifyouneedtopurchasealicense,clickGetSerialNumber.
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ClickinsidetheVMwarePlayerwindowtobeginusingtheguestoperatingsystem
andtheapplicationsinstalledintheACEinstance.
Youcanusetheoperatingsystemandapplicationsjustasyouwouldiftheywere
runningdirectlyonaphysicalcomputer.
(Optional)Tochangeapasswordthatyoucreated,chooseVM>ACE>Change
Password.
(Optional)FormoreinformationaboutusingVMwarePlayer,chooseHelp>Help
Topics.
Change Default Kiosk Mode Startup Behavior

IfanACEinstanceisconfiguredtoruninkioskmode,thevirtualmachinerunsinfull
screenmodeanddoesnotdisplaytheACEmenubarorACEPlayeronlinehelp.
Beforegoingintokioskmode,adialogboxappears,requiringtheusertoconsentto
enteringkioskmode.Formoreinformation,seeSettingKioskModePolicieson
page 420.
YoucanuseacommandlinecommandtostartanACEinstanceinkioskmodewithout
displayingtheusualwarningmessage.
YoucanalsostarttheACEinstancesothatitisnotinkioskmode.Youcanthenusethe
VMwarePlayermenustochangepreferencesettingsorenteradministratormodeifthe
ACEinstanceisconfiguredforthatmode.
To change default kiosk mode startup behavior
1
OpenacommandpromptonWindowshostsoraterminalwindowonLinuxhosts.
Tosuppressthedialogboxusuallyshownatstartup,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindows,enterthefollowingcommand:
<path>\vmplayer.exe -k "<config-file>"
Inthiscommand,<path>isthepathonyoursystemtotheVMwarePlayer
applicationfileand<config-file>isthepathtothevirtualmachine
configuration(.vmx)file.
OnLinux,enteroneofthefollowingcommands:
vmplayer -k "<config-file>"
vmplayer --noKioskWarning "<config-file>"
Inthesecommands,<config-file>isthepathtothevirtualmachine
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TostarttheACEinstancewithoutenteringkioskmode,dooneofthefollowing:
OnWindows,enterthefollowingcommand:
<path>\vmplayer.exe -K "<config-file>"
NoticethecapitalK.Inthiscommand,<path>isthepathonyoursystemto
theVMwarePlayerapplicationfileand<config-file>isthepathtothe
virtualmachineconfiguration(.vmx)file.
OnLinux,enteroneofthefollowingcommands:
vmplayer -K "<config-file>"
vmplayer --forceNoKiosk "<config-file>"
Inthesecommands,<config-file>isthepathtothevirtualmachine
4
Ifyouuseacommandtostarttheinstancewithoutenteringkioskmode,enterthe
administratorpasswordwhenprompted.
Thisproceduredescribestypingthecommandatthecommandline,butyoucanalso
usethecommandtocreateabatchfileoradesktopshortcut.SeeUsingStartup
OptionsinaWindowsShortcutonpage 487.
Use Multiple Virtual Machines in Kiosk Mode

YoucanstartmultipleACEinstancesthatareconfiguredtoruninkioskmode.Youcan
thenswitchbetweenvirtualmachinesbyusingakeyboardshortcut.
Beforeyoubegin,createandpackagemultipleACEinstancesthatusethesame
administratorpasswordforkioskmodeandthesamehotkeycombinationforexiting
kioskmode.SeeSettingKioskModePoliciesonpage 420.
Whenmultiplevirtualmachinesruninkioskmode,enduserscanpressthehotkey
combinationalongwiththerightarroworleftarrowkeytoswitchtothenextor
previousvirtualmachine.Forexample,ifthehotkeycombinationisCtrl+Alt,userscan
pressCtrl+Alt+rightarrowtoswitchtothenextvirtualmachineorCtrl+Alt+leftarrow
toswitchtothepreviousvirtualmachine.
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To use multiple virtual machines in kiosk mode

1
InstalltheACEinstancesonthehostmachine.
Usethefollowingexamplestowriteabatchfileorscripttostartthevirtual
machines:
Windowsbatchfile:
cd Program Files\VMware\VMware Player
start vmplayer.exe -k "C:\Documents and Settings\user1\My Documents\My
Virtual Machines\ace1\ace1.vmx"
sleep 20
sleep 20
Linuxscriptfile:
#!/bin/bash
vmplayer -k ~/vmware-ace/ace1/ace1.vmx & sleep 20
vmplayer -k ~/vmware-ace/ace2/ace2.vmx & sleep 20
vmplayer -k ~/vmware-ace/ace3/ace3.vmx &
The-kflagsuppressesthekioskmodedialogboxsothatyoudonotneedtoclick
OKtoenterkioskmode.
3
Ifanyvirtualmachinesthatarenotsettoruninkioskmodeareopenorrunning
onthehost,powerthemoffandclosethem.
Thescriptcannotstartandrunvirtualmachinesinkioskmodeifany
nonkioskmodevirtualmachinesareopen.
Runthebatchfileorscripttostartthevirtualmachinesinkioskmode.
Thevirtualmachinesarestartedintheorderlistedinthebatchfileorscript.Thefirst
virtualmachinestarteddefinestheadministratorpasswordforkioskmodeandthe
hotkeycombinationforexitingkioskmode.Ifasubsequentvirtualmachineinthelist
hasadifferentpasswordorhotkey,itdoesnotstart.Ifasubsequentvirtualmachinein
thelistisnotconfiguredtostartinkioskmode,itisnotallowedtostart.
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Install an ACE Client License

AnACEclientlicenseisadevicespecificlicense.DevicesincludePCs,laptops,and
portablemediadevicessuchasUSBflashdrives(storingaPocketACE).Thedetailsof
thelicensingtermsareprovidedintheenduserlicenseagreement(EULA)forACE
publishedonwww.vmware.com.
AlicenseddevicecanrunanynumberofACEinstances.TheACEclientlicenseis
associatedwiththedeviceitisinstalledonandisnotrestrictedtoaspecificACE
instance.
Ifyoupurchaseavolumelicense,youdonotneedtoinstallclientlicenses.
NOTEIfyouarenotusinganACEvolumelicensekey,beawarethatwhenyoudeploy
aPocketACEtoaportablemediadevice,youshouldenteranACEclientlicense
immediately.ThePocketACEwillrunlocallyonthatcopyofWorkstation,butifitis
movedtoanotherunlicenseddevicewithouthavingtheACEclientlicenseentered,it
willnotpoweron.
To install an ACE client license
1
ObtaintheACEclientlicenseserialnumberfromyourACEadministrator.
DoubleclickthedesktopshortcutfortheinstalledACEinstance.
Attheprompt,entertheserialnumberintheappropriatefieldandenteryour
nameandtheorganizationnameinthedialogbox.
ClickOK.
Change the ACE Client License

YoucanuseaVMwarePlayermenucommandtochangeorupdatealicense.
To change the ACE Client License
1
ChooseHelp>EnterACEClientLicense.
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Entertheserialnumberinthedialogbox.
Ifyouneedtopurchasealicense,clickGetSerialNumber.
ClickOK.
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Quit VMware Player

Asabestpractice,quitVMwarePlayerbeforeyoushutdownthehostcomputer.
To quit VMware Player
ChooseFile>ExitonWindowshostsorFile>QuitonLinuxhosts.
Dependingontheconfiguredexitbehavior,theACEinstanceissuspendedorshuts
downandthewindowcloses.
Alsodependingontheconfiguration,endusersmightbeabletochangetheexit
behaviorinthePreferencesdialogbox(File>Preferences).
Troubleshooting Tools
VMwareACEincludessometroubleshootingtoolsthatallowadministratorsandhelp
deskassistantstofixsomecommonproblemsthatusershavewithACEinstances,such
asforgottenuserpasswords.Thetoolsare:
ForstandaloneACEinstances:
TheACETools,whichisacommandlinetool.SeeUsingthevmwareacetool
CommandLineToolonpage 479.
Thehotfixfeature,whichusersaccessfrombuttonsindialogboxes.See
RespondtoHotFixRequestsonpage 481.
FormanagedACEinstances,seetheVMwareACEManagementServer
AdministratorsGuide.
Using the vmware-acetool Command-Line Tool

Thevmware-acetoolcommandlinetoolisatroubleshootingtoolthatenablesACE
administratorstofixalimitedsetofproblemsforstandaloneACEinstancesdirectlyon
anACEuserssystem.
Youcanprovidethefollowingsolutionswithvmware-acetool:
Settheuserspassword,sotheusercanruntheACEinstance.
Setcopyprotection,sotheusercanruntheACEinstanceinanewlocation.
Settheexpirationdate,sotheusercancontinuetouseanACEinstancethatispast
itsscheduledexpirationdate.
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Theconfigurationfile(.vmxfile)fortheACEinstancemustbeontheACEusers
machine.Thatis,youcannotusevmware-acetooltomakefixestofilesassociatedwith
theinstanceunlesstheconfigurationfileisonthesamemachineasthosefiles.
Youcanactuallyusethevmware-acetoolprogramtoresetpasswordsandfix
expirationdatesonanothermachine,butyoumusthavethe.vmx,.vmpl,andace.dat
filesfromtheuserallsetupinthesamedirectory.Thefollowingisanexampleofa
vmware-acetoolcommand:
vmware-acetool <command> <ACEconfigurationfile> <parameters>
Table 22-2. Commands and Parameters for vmware-acetool
Command
Parameters
Description
setPassword
Pathtorecoverykeyfile
SettheACEinstances
password.
setExpirationDate
Newexpirationdate
SettheACEinstances
expirationdate.
allowCopy
AllowtheACEinstanceto
runfromitscurrentlocation.
updateCurrentTime
Updatetheinternalpolicy
clockofanACEinstanceto
thecurrenttime.
cloneToVM
Netcloneconfigurationfile
Pathtorecoverykeyfile
Clonearegularvirtual
machinefroman
ACEenabledvirtual
machine.
Password Prompts
Allcommandspromptfortheadministrativetoolspassword.SeeSetting
AdministratorModePoliciesonpage 419.
ThesetPasswordcommandalsopromptsfortherecoverykeypasswordforthe
privaterecoverykeyfile,anewACEinstancepassword,andconfirmationofthatnew
password.SeeSetaRecoveryKeyforEncryptedACEInstancesonpage 396.
Followingisanexampleofthecommand:
vmware-acetool setPassword myACE.vmx recKey.priv
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Expiration Dates
Thenewexpirationdatecanbepassedasoneofthefollowing:
Anumberofdaysfromthecurrentdate
AnabsolutedateintheformatYYYY-MM-DD
AstartdateandanenddateintheformatYYYY-MM-DDYYYY-MM-DD
Thespecialvalue"never",sothattheinstanceneverexpires
Thespecialvalue"expired",sothattheinstanceexpiresimmediately
Followingareexamplesofthecommand:
vmware-acetool setExpirationDate myACE.vmx 30
vmware-acetool setExpirationDate myACE.vmx 2007-06-16
vmware-acetool setExpirationDate myACE.vmx "never"
vmware-acetool allowCopy myACE.vmx 30
Respond to Hot Fix Requests

IfyouenablethehotfixfeatureforstandaloneACEinstances,userscaneasilyrequest
helptoresolvethefollowingproblems:
Lostorforgottenpassword
ExpiredACEinstance
CopyprotectedACEinstancerunfromanewlocation
Forinformationaboutenablingthehotfixfeature,seeSettingHotFixPoliciesfor
StandaloneACEInstancesonpage 421.Forinformationaboutsettingarecoverykey,
whichyoumusthavetosendahotfixforalostorforgottenuserpassword,seeSeta
RecoveryKeyforEncryptedACEInstancesonpage 396.
Whenthehotfixfeatureisenabled,ifanenduserseesanotificationthattheACE
instanceisexpiredorcopyprotected,aRequestHotFixbuttonappearsinthedialog
box.Theuserclicksthisbutton,whichlaunchestheHotFixRequestwizard.This
wizardgeneratesahotfixrequestfile.Theusercansubmitthisfiletotheadministrator
asanemailattachmentorinsomeotherway.
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To respond to a hot fix request

1
Whenyoureceivethehotfixrequestfile,saveittoalocationthatyoucanaccess
fromtheadministratormachinewhereWorkstationisinstalled.
OpentheACEenabledvirtualmachinefortheinstancethatrequiresthehotfix.
ChooseFile>Open.
NavigatetothelocationofthehotfixrequestfileandclickOpen.
AhotfixtabopensintheWorkstationwindow.Thehotfixtabdisplaystheusers
nameandemailaddress,theproblemthatledtothehotfixrequest,andany
additionalnotetheuserentered.
ClickApprovehotfix.
Entertheappropriateinformationinthedialogbox.
Selectoneofthefollowingmethodsforsendingtheresponse:
ClickSendhotfixonthehotfixtabandclickOK.
Sendthehotfixfile.Itisinthesamefolderasthehotfixrequest.Thefile
extensionforthefixfileis.vmhf.
Thedisplayonthehotfixtabshowsthestatusofthehotfixrequest,approvedor
denied,andthedateonwhichyoutookaction.
Theuserappliesthehotfixbydoubleclickingthehotfixfile.
Troubleshooting Setup Issues

OccasionallyACEendusershaveproblemsloggingintoadomainafterrunningthe
ReverttoReimageSnapshotcommand.Theymightsometimesalsohaveproblems
withdomainvalidationandnameresolution.
Login Issues After Reverting to a Reimage Snapshot

Problem:TheACEusercannotlogtheACEinstancebackintoadomainafterchoosing
VM>Snapshot>ReverttoReimageSnapshot.
Description:TheACEinstancehasaWindowsguestoperatingsysteminstalledand
themachineaccountpasswordforthedomainisperiodicallyrenewedbydefault.Ifthe
passwordisrenewedbythetimetheuserrevertstheACEinstancetothesnapshot,the
snapshotspasswordisinvalidandloginfails.
Solution:Toavoidthisproblem,ensurethatthefollowingsecuritypolicyisenabled:
Refusemachineaccountpasswordchanges.
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YoucanenablethispolicyontheACEenabledvirtualmachine(affectingallinstances
createdfromit)orontheprimarydomaincontroller.Fordetailsabouthowtochange
thepolicy,seethefollowingMicrosoftarticles:
LocalSecurityPoliciesGototheMicrosoftSupportsite,entertheMicrosoft
knowledgebasearticleID175468inthesearchcriteria,andclickthefirstsearch
result.
PDCSecurityPoliciesGototheMicrosoftTechNetWebsiteandenterDomain
controller:Refusemachineaccountpasswordchanges,inthesearchcriteria.
Issues with Domain Validation or Name Resolution

Problem:WhenyoutrytojoinanACEenabledvirtualmachinetoadomain,domain
validationornameresolutiondoesnotwork.
Description:SomeACEenabledvirtualmachineswithcertainnetworkconfigurations
mightdemonstratetheseproblems.
Solution:ConsulttheMicrosoftknowledgebasearticle.GototheMicrosoftSupport
Website,entertheMicrosoftknowledgebasearticleID314108inthesearchcriteria,
andclickthefirstsearchresult.
Issues with Domain Joins for Windows Vista and Windows 7 Guests
Problem:TheWindowsVistaandWindows7ACEinstancescannotjointhelocal
domainandinstancecustomizationfailedwiththemessageNetDomainJoin
function Error 1722: Could not join domain.
Description:WindowsVistaandWindows7ACEinstancesmighthavethisproblem.
Solution:Telltheusertopowerofftheinstanceandpoweritonagaintoretryinstance
customization.Theproblemisintermittentandrestartingmightsolvetheproblem.
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VMware, Inc.
Appendix: Workstation
Command-Line Reference
Thisappendixdiscussesthecommandlineoptionsthatareavailableforthevmware
program.
Forinformationaboutusingthevmware-fullscreencommandtousefullscreen
switchmode,seeUsingvmwarefullscreentoRunaVirtualMachineonpage 377.
Forinformationaboutusingthevmrunprogramtooperateteamsorvirtualmachines
fromthecommandline,seemanualcalledUsingvmruntoControlVirtualMachines.
Thisappendixincludesthefollowingtopics:
StartupOptionsforWorkstationandVirtualMachinesonpage 485
UsingStartupOptionsinaWindowsShortcutonpage 487
Startup Options for Workstation and Virtual Machines

Table A1describesoptionsavailablewhenyourunWorkstationfromthecommand
line.YoucantypethesecommandsinaLinuxterminalwindoworattheWindows
commandprompt.Youcanalsocreatescriptstorunmultiplecommands.
Thesyntaxforthiscommandis:
OnaLinuxhostoperatingsystem:
/usr/bin/vmware [-n] [-x] [-X] [-m] [-t] [-q] [-s <variablename>=<value>]
[-v]
[/<path_to_virtual_machine>/<virtual_machine_name>.vmx]
[X toolkit options]
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OnaWindowshostoperatingsystem:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware.exe [-B] [-n] [-x] [-X]
[-t] [-q] [-s <variablename>=<value>] [-v]
[<path_to_virtual_machine>\<virtual_machine_name>.vmx]
Table A-1. Command-Line Options for the vmware Program

Option
Description
-n
OpensanewWorkstationwindow.
-B
(Windowshostsonly)OpensanewWorkstationwindowbut
hidesthesidebarandtoolbars.Onlythetabsofopenvirtual
machinesareshown.Usingthisoptionhasthesameeffectas
clickingtheWorkstationiconintheupperleftcornerofthe
WorkstationwindowandchoosingHideControlsfromthe
menuthatappears.
-t
Opensavirtualmachineorteaminanewtabintheexisting
Workstationwindow.
-x
PowersonthevirtualmachinewhenWorkstationstarts.This
isequivalenttoclickingthePowerOnbuttoninthe
Workstationtoolbar.
-X
PowersonthevirtualmachineandswitchestheWorkstation
windowtofullscreenmode.
-m
Startstheprograminquickswitchmode.
-q
Closesthevirtualmachinestabwhenthevirtualmachine
powersoff.Ifnoothervirtualmachineisopen,italsoexits
Workstation.Thisoptionisusefulwhentheguestoperating
systemcanpoweroffthevirtualmachine.
-s
Setsthespecifiedvariabletothespecifiedvalue.Anyvariable
namesandvaluesthatarevalidintheconfigurationfilecan
bespecifiedonthecommandlinewiththe-sswitch.
-v
Displaystheproductname,version,andbuildnumber.
<path_to_VM_or_team>
Launchesavirtualmachinebyusingthespecifiedvirtual
machineorteamconfigurationfile(.vmxor.vmtm file).
OnLinuxhosts,Xtoolkitoptionscanbepassedasarguments,althoughsomeofthem
(mostnotablythesizeandtitleoftheWorkstationwindow)cannotbeoverridden.
XtoolkitoptionsarenotrelevantonaWindowshost.
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VMware, Inc.
Appendix: Workstation Command-Line Reference
Using Startup Options in a Windows Shortcut

Themostconvenientwaytousethestartupoptionsistoincorporatethemintothe
commandthataWindowsshortcutgenerates.
Tocreatetheshortcut,rightclicktheshortcutandclickProperties.IntheTargetfield,
addanyswitchestouseafterthevmware.exefilename.Forexample,thefollowing
commandlaunchestheWindowsMevirtualmachinespecified,powersiton,and
switchestofullscreenmode:
"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware.exe -X C:\Documents and
Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Virtual Machines\Windows
Me\Windows Me.vmx"
Enclosetheentirecommandstringinquotationmarks.Theconfigurationfilehasa
.vmxextensionbydefault.
VMware, Inc.
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488
VMware, Inc.
Glossary
bridgednetworking
Atypeofnetworkconnectionbetweenavirtualmachineandthehostsphysical
network.Withbridgednetworking,avirtualmachineappearsasanadditional
computeronthesamephysicalnetworkasthehost.Seealsohostonlynetworking.
clone
Aduplicateofavirtualmachine.Seealsofullclone,linkedclone.
customnetworking
Anytypeofnetworkconnectionbetweenvirtualmachinesandthehostthatdoes
notusethedefaultbridged,hostonly,ornetworkaddresstranslation(NAT)
networkingconfigurations.Forinstance,differentvirtualmachinescanbe
connectedtothehostbyseparatenetworksorconnectedtoeachotherandnotto
thehost.Anynetworktopologyispossible.
DE
diskmode
Apropertyofavirtualdiskthatdefinesitsexternalbehavior(howthe
virtualizationlayertreatsitsdata)butiscompletelyinvisibletotheguestoperating
system.Availablemodesincludepersistentmode(changestothediskarealways
preservedacrosssessions),nonpersistentmode(changesareneverpreserved),and
undoablemode(changesarepreservedattheusersdiscretion).
Favoriteslist
AlistintheleftpanelofthemainWorkstationwindowthatshowsthenamesof
virtualmachinesthatauserhasadded.YoucanusetheFavoriteslisttolauncha
virtualmachineortoconnecttothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfileandmake
changesinthevirtualmachinesettings.
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fullclone
Acompletecopyoftheoriginalvirtualmachine,includingallassociatedvirtual
disks.Seealsolinkedclone.
fullscreenmode
Adisplaymodeinwhichthevirtualmachinesdisplayfillstheentirescreen.See
alsofullscreenswitchmode.
fullscreenswitchmode
Adisplaymodeinwhichthevirtualmachinesdisplayfillstheentirescreen,and
theuserhasnoaccesstotheWorkstationuserinterface.Theusercannotcreate,
reconfigure,orlaunchvirtualmachines.Asystemadministratorperformsthose
functions.Seealsofullscreenmode.
GotoSnapshot
Acommandthatallowsyoutorestoreanysnapshotoftheactivevirtualmachine.
SeealsoReverttoSnapshot.
guestoperatingsystem
Anoperatingsystemthatrunsinsideavirtualmachine.Seealsohostoperating
systemonpage 490.
HK
hostonlynetworking
Atypeofnetworkconnectionbetweenavirtualmachineandthehost.With
hostonlynetworking,avirtualmachineisconnectedtothehostonaprivate
network,whichnormallyisnotvisibleoutsidethehost.Multiplevirtualmachines
configuredwithhostonlynetworkingonthesamehostareonthesamenetwork.
Seealsobridgednetworking,customnetworking.
host
ThephysicalcomputeronwhichtheVMwareWorkstationsoftwareisinstalled.
hostoperatingsystem
Anoperatingsystemthatrunsonthehostmachine.Seealsoguestoperating
system.
independentdisk
Atypeofvirtualdiskthatisnotaffectedbysnapshots.Youcanconfigure
independentdisksinpersistentandnonpersistentmodes.Seealsononpersistent
mode,persistentmode,snapshot.
490
VMware, Inc.
Glossary
LM
LANsegment
Aprivatevirtualnetworkthatisavailableonlytovirtualmachineswithinthesame
team.Seealsovirtualnetwork,team.
linkedclone
Acopyoftheoriginalvirtualmachinethatmusthaveaccesstotheparentvirtual
machinesvirtualdisks.Thelinkedclonestoreschangestothevirtualdisksina
separatesetoffiles.Seealsofullclone.
NO
nonpersistentmode
Adiskmodeinwhichalldiskwritesissuedbysoftwarerunninginsideavirtual
machineappeartobewrittentotheindependentdiskbutareinfactdiscarded
afterthevirtualmachineispoweredoff.Asaresult,avirtualdiskorphysicaldisk
inindependentnonpersistentmodeisnotmodifiedbyactivityinthevirtual
machine.Seealsodiskmode,persistentmode.
parent
Thesourcevirtualmachinefromwhichyoutakeasnapshotormakeaclone.Afull
clonehasnocontinuedlinktoitsparent,butalinkedcloneandasnapshotmust
haveaccesstotheparentsvirtualdiskfiles.Ifyoudeletetheparentvirtual
machine,anylinkedcloneorsnapshotbecomespermanentlydisabled.Toprevent
deletion,youcanmaketheparentatemplatevirtualmachine.Seealsofullclone,
linkedclone,snapshot.
persistentmode
Adiskmodeinwhichalldiskwritesissuedbysoftwarerunninginsideavirtual
machineareimmediatelyandpermanentlywrittentoavirtualdiskthathasbeen
configuredasanindependentdisk.Asaresult,avirtualdiskorphysicaldiskin
independentpersistentmodebehaveslikeaconventionaldiskdriveonaphysical
computer.Seealsodiskmode,nonpersistentmode.
physicaldisk
Aharddiskinavirtualmachinethatismappedtoaphysicaldiskdriveorpartition
onthehostmachine.Aphysicaldiskisalsoreferredtoasarawdisk.Avirtual
machinesdiskcanbestoredasafileonthehostfilesystemoronalocalharddisk.
Whenavirtualmachineisconfiguredtouseaphysicaldisk,Workstationdirectly
accessesthelocaldiskorpartitionasaphysicaldevice(notasafileonafile
system).Seealsovirtualdisk.
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quickswitchmode
Adisplaymodeinwhichthevirtualmachinesdisplayfillsmostofthescreen.In
thismode,tabsatthetopofthescreenallowyoutoswitchquicklyfromone
runningvirtualmachinetoanother.Seealsofullscreenmode.
rawdisk
Seephysicaldisk.
record/replayfeature
ThisfeatureletsyourecordallofaWorkstation5.xor6.xvirtualmachinesactivity
overaperiodoftime.UnlikeWorkstationsmoviecapturefeature,the
record/replayfeatureletsyouexactlyduplicatetheoperationsandstateofthe
virtualmachinethroughoutthetimeoftherecording.
redolog
Thefilethatstoreschangesmadetoadiskinallmodesexceptthepersistentand
independentpersistentmodes.Foradiskinnonpersistentmode,theredologfile
isdeletedwhenyoupowerofforresetthevirtualmachinewithoutwritingany
changestothedisk.Youcanpermanentlyapplythechangessavedintheredolog
toadiskinundoablemodesothattheybecomepartofthemaindiskfiles.Seealso
diskmode.
ReverttoSnapshot
Acommandthatrestoresthestatusoftheactivevirtualmachinetoitsimmediate
parentsnapshot.Thisparentisrepresentedinthesnapshotmanagerbythe
snapshotappearingtotheimmediateleftoftheYouAreHereicon.SeealsoGoto
Snapshot,snapshotmanager.
sharedfolder
Afolderonahostcomputeroronanetworkdriveaccessiblefromthehostthat
canbeusedbyboththehostandoneormorevirtualmachines.Itprovidesaway
ofsharingfilesbetweenhostandguestoramongvirtualmachines.InaWindows
virtualmachine,sharedfoldersappearasfoldersonadriveletter.InaLinuxor
Solarisvirtualmachine,sharedfoldersappearunderaspecifiedmountpoint.
snapshot
Areproductionofthevirtualmachinejustasitwaswhenyoutookthesnapshot,
includingthevirtualmachinespowerstate(on,off,orsuspended).Ifthevirtual
harddisksarenotsettoindependentmode,asnapshotalsoincludesthestateof
thedataonallthevirtualmachinesdisks.Youcantakeasnapshotwhenavirtual
machineispoweredon,poweredoff,orsuspended.Seealsoindependentdisk.
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VMware, Inc.
Glossary
snapshotmanager
Acontrolpanelusedtotakeactionsonanyofthesnapshotsandrecordings
associatedwiththeselectedvirtualmachine.Seealsorecord/replayfeature,
snapshot.
TU
team
Agroupofvirtualmachinesthatareconfiguredtooperateasoneobject.Youcan
poweron,poweroff,andsuspendateamwithonecommand.Youcanconfigure
ateamtocommunicateindependentlyofanyothervirtualorrealnetworkby
settingupaLANsegment.SeealsoLANsegment,virtualnetwork.
Unitymode
Adisplaymodeinwhichavirtualmachinesapplicationsaredisplayedin
applicationwindowsdirectlyonthehostsdesktop.Thevirtualmachineconsole
viewishidden,andyoucanminimizetheWorkstationwindow.Inthismode,a
virtualmachinesapplicationslookjustlikeotherapplicationwindowsonthehost.
VX
virtualdisk
Afileorsetoffilesthatappearsasaphysicaldiskdrivetoaguestoperating
system.Thesefilescanbeonthehostmachineoronaremotefilesystem.Seealso
physicaldisk.
virtualhardware
Thedevicesthatmakeupavirtualmachine.Thevirtualhardwareincludesthe
virtualdisk,removabledevicessuchastheDVDROM/CDROMandfloppy
drives,andthevirtualEthernetadapter.Youconfigurethesedeviceswiththe
virtualmachinesettingseditor.Seealsovirtualmachinesettingseditor.
virtualmachine
Avirtualizedx86PCenvironmentinwhichaguestoperatingsystemand
associatedapplicationsoftwarecanrun.Multiplevirtualmachinescanoperateon
thesamehostmachineconcurrently.
virtualmachineconfiguration
Thespecificationofwhichvirtualdevices,suchasdisksandmemory,arepresent
inavirtualmachineandhowtheyaremappedtohostfilesanddevices.
virtualmachineconfigurationfile
Afilecontainingavirtualmachineconfiguration.This.vmxfileiscreatedwhen
youcreatethevirtualmachine.Itisusedtoidentifyandrunaspecificvirtual
machine.
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virtualmachinesettingseditor
Apointandclickcontrolpanelusedtoviewandmodifyavirtualmachines
settings.
virtualnetwork
Anetworkconnectingvirtualmachinesthatdoesnotdependonphysical
hardwareconnections.Forexample,youcancreateavirtualnetworkbetweena
virtualmachineandahostthathasnoexternalnetworkconnections.Youcanalso
createaLANsegmentforcommunicationbetweenvirtualmachinesonateam.See
alsoLANsegment,team.
virtualnetworkeditor
Apointandclickeditorusedtoviewandmodifythenetworkingsettingsforthe
virtualnetworkscreatedbyWorkstation.
VMwarePlayer
FreesoftwarethatenablesPCuserstocreateandrunanyvirtualmachineona
WindowsorLinuxPC.VMwarePlayerrunsvirtualmachinescreatedbyVMware
Workstation,VMwareServer,orESXServerandalsosupportsMicrosoftvirtual
machinesandSymantecBackupExecSystemRecoverydiskformats.
VMwareTools
Asuiteofutilitiesanddriversthatenhancestheperformanceandfunctionalityof
yourguestoperatingsystem.KeyfeaturesofVMwareToolsincludesomeorallof
thefollowing,dependingonyourguestoperatingsystem:anSVGAdriver,a
mousedriver,theVMwareToolscontrolpanelandsupportforsuchfeaturesas
sharedfolders,draganddropinWindowsandLinuxguests,shrinkingvirtual
disks,timesynchronizationwiththehost,VMwareToolsscripts,andconnecting
anddisconnectingdeviceswhilethevirtualmachineisrunning.Seealsoshared
folder.
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VMware, Inc.
Index
Numerics
3D support 173
A
About tab
VMware Tools 123
access control policies, ACE 391, 397
ACE instance
defined 383
installing on a Linux host 470
installing on a Windows host 466
offline usage 421
removable device policy 411
running a Pocket ACE 463
setting policies for 390
uninstalling from a Linux host 473
uninstalling from a Windows
host 468
upgrading 473
ACE Management Server
and Active Directory 397
defined 383
ACE New Package wizard 449
ACE Resources directory 446
ACE tools, using 479
ACE-enabled virtual machine
configuring 447
creating packages for 450
defined 383
deployment platform 446
ACPI S1 sleep feature 380
activation policy, ACE 391
VMware, Inc.
Active Directory
password change proxying 397
adapter
host virtual adapters 301, 410
in promiscuous mode on a Linux
host 316
specifying physical, for ACE 410
virtual Ethernet 295
Add Hardware wizard 332, 363
Add Shared Folder wizard 191
address
assigning IP 305
assigning MAC manually 309
IP on virtual network 304
MAC 308
network address translation 316
using DHCP to assign 304
administrative tools policy, ACE 419
Advanced Linux Sound Architecture,
using 176
ALSA See Advanced Linux Sound
Architecture
AMD Athlon 64 processor 37
AMD Opteron processor 37
AMD Sempron processor 37
AMD Turion 64 processor 37
appliance view
for virtual machines 182
policy for ACE instances 415
assign
IP address 304
network port number in NAT 323
495
Athlon 64 processor 37
audio 32, 175, 176
AudioPCI 176
authentication policy, ACE 391
autofit settings 164
automatic bridging 297, 410
AutoProtect
restrictions 214
setting up 215
AutoProtect feature
See also snapshot, AutoProtect 214
B
background, running virtual machines
in 71, 264
bandwidth
controlling, in team networks 271
LAN segment 281
battery information, reporting in
guest 180
BIOS
file in virtual machine 97
provided in virtual machine 30
setup, entering 148
.bmp files for screen captures 183
bridged networking
ACE policy for network
adapters 410
and Samba servers 329
configuring options 297
browser
and appliance views 182
configuring on Linux host 45
BSD
supported 32-bit guest operating
systems 36
systems 36
BT/KT-958 drivers 86
496
bulkDeploy.exe program 462

bundle installer for Workstation 45
BusLogic 30, 362
C
capacity, disk 236, 249
capture
screenshot 183
snapshot of virtual machine 203
virtual machine activity 257
CD
adding drive to virtual machine 250
CD-ROM image file 30
legacy emulation mode for 252
package delivery for ACE 453
.cfg file 97
change
hot-key combinations 74
team name 274
virtual machine name 65
Change Version wizard 94
clock
real-time on Linux host 44
synchronize guest and host 120
clone template 221
Clone Virtual Machine wizard 222
clones
creating, for teams 272, 276, 283
creating, in Clone Virtual Machine
wizard 221
enable template mode 221
full 220
IP address 222
linked 220, 227
MAC address and UUID of 219
network identity of 222
overview 219
static IP address 222
VMware, Inc.
Index
color
display on VNC clients 228
screen, in a virtual machine 172
comm port
See serial connection, serial port
command-line interface
for VMware Tools 132
for Workstation 485
commands
keyboard shortcuts 72
startup, on the command line 378,
485
startup, on Windows hosts 487
compacting virtual disks 240
configure record/replay 259
connect
CD/DVDs and floppies to ISO
images 253
USB devices 353
Conversion wizard 133, 142, 143
converting virtual machines 133
copy and paste feature 189
copy protection policy for ACE
instances 400
copy virtual machine 225
CPU
host requirement 23
creating
ACE packages 449
policies for an ACE instance 390
virtual disks 242
Creative Labs 176
Creative Labs Sound Blaster 32
Ctrl+Alt hot-key combination 340
custom EULA ACE package setting 445
VMware, Inc.
D
DDNS (dynamic domain name
service) 311
debugging
using serial connection 338
default scripts for VMware Tools 125
defragmenting virtual disks 239
deleting
recordings of virtual machine
activity 212, 268
snapshots 208, 212
virtual machines 158
deploy.exe program 461
deployment settings, ACE
encryption 436
EULA 445
instance customization 437
package lifetime 436
destinations for imported virtual
machines 140
device connection policy 411
device drivers
for generic SCSI devices 363
VMware Tools 102
devices
ACE policies for USB 412
adding a generic SCSI device 363,
364
connecting and disconnecting 122,
181
disconnecting from USB
controller 357
processor 29
removable, ACE policies for 411
USB 351
Devices tab
in Preferences dialog box 67
VMware Tools 122
497
DHCP
assigning IP addresses on a virtual
network 304
changing settings 300
configuring on a Linux host 306
configuring on a Windows host 306
DHCPD 311
lease 300
on a virtual network with NAT 317
server 286, 300
server on virtual network 290, 291
stopping 314
dial-up connection 306
directories, shared 195, 196
disable
acceleration 179
copying and pasting text and
files 190
drag-and-drop of files and
folders 188
folder sharing 192
interface features 369
disc labels for packages 453
disk
See also virtual disk
IDE drive supported in host 24
IDE drives in virtual machine 30
independent 207
mapping to a drive 199
optical drives supported in host 25
SCSI drive supported in host 24
size 236, 249
space required on host computer 24
.vmdk virtual disk file 97
display
autofit settings for 164
color depth 172
fitting window to virtual machine 169
full screen 162, 164
498
multiple monitor 166, 169

requirements on hosts 24
switching virtual machines 165
Display tab in preferences editor 169
distributing ACE packages 449
DMZ 271
DNS
on a NAT network 318
setup issues, troubleshooting 482
domain join, remote 443
domain problems 482
domain setting, in ACE instance
customization 440
downgrading virtual machines 94
download components 153
drag-and-drop feature 187
dragging and dropping
images, text, and file contents
between host and
guest 188
drivers
SCSI 362
sound 176
video, in older versions of
Windows 105
drives
CD/DVD-ROM 30, 250
floppy 31, 250
IDE 30
tape 361
virtual IDE 242
virtual SCSI 242
dual-boot computers and virtual
machines 254
dual-monitor display 166, 169
DVD
adding drive to virtual machine 250
legacy emulation mode for 252
VMware, Inc.
Index
optical, supported 25
package delivery for ACE 453
dynamic domain name service 311
E
Eclipse
installing the Workstation plug-in
for 41
EHCI controller 31
EM64T processor 37
encrypt
restrictions 156
encrypting a virtual machine 155
encryption for ACE packages and
instances 436
enhanced virtual keyboard 339, 416
Ethernet adapter
adding to virtual machine 295
for teams 282
promiscuous mode 316
virtual network adapters 286
Ethernet controller 25
Ethernet switches 32
exclusive mode 165
expand
virtual disk 240
expiration policy for ACE instances 399
F
Favorites list
creating folders in 64
overview 63
removing virtual machines from 64
files
BIOS in virtual machine 97
redo log 97
Samba and file sharing on a Linux
host 328
sharing among virtual machines and
host 187
VMware, Inc.
snapshot 97
suspended state 97
used by a virtual machine 97
used by snapshot 97
virtual machine 150
firewall 324
fit to guest and fit to window 169
floppy
drives in virtual machine 31, 252
image file 31, 253
folders
in the Favorites list 64
shared, See shared folder
FreeBSD
supported 32-bit guests 36
supported 64-bit guests 36
VMware Tools for 112
FTP 318
full screen mode 162
full screen settings 164
full screen switch mode 372, 379
full screen toolbar 164, 415
G
gated host network 310
global configuration file 372
graphics
See also display
support in virtual machine 30, 172
guest
autofit 169
defined 22
fit command 169
guest network access policies, ACE 402,
411
guest operating system
for ACE instance customization 439
installing 91
support for 64-bit 37
499
supported 32
supported FreeBSD 32-bit 36
supported FreeBSD 64-bit 36
supported Linux 32-bit 35
supported Linux 64-bit 36
supported MS-DOS 33
supported Solaris 32-bit 36
supported Solaris 64-bit 36
upgrades 94
Windows 32-bit 33
Windows 64-bit 34
GUID Partition Table (GPT) disks 139
H
Hardware tab in virtual machine settings
editor 69
headless virtual machines (run in the
background) 71, 264
HIDs (human interface devices) 353
host
defined 22
hard disk space required 24
network access policies, ACE 411
optical drives supported 25
policies, ACE 402, 466
system requirements 23
virtual adapters 301
host-guest data script policies 397
host-only networking
basic configuration 290
selecting IP addresses 304
hot fix, ACE
policies 421
responding 481
hot keys
for full screen switch mode 373, 375
hexadecimal values for 373
in Workstation preferences 340
500
setting 74
using Ctrl+Alt+Insert and
Ctrl+Alt+Delete 72
Hot Keys tab 67
I
ICMP 318
IDE
drive supported in host 24
drives in virtual machine 30
optical drive supported in host 25
IDESCSI, setting up virtual disk as 237
image file
floppy 31, 253
ISO 30, 250, 253
import 145
importing virtual machines 133, 135
independent disk 207
initialization scripts for instance
customization 440
install components 153
install ESX 4.0 and ESXi 4.0 on
Workstation 90
installation requirement
ESX 4.0 and ESXi 4.0 90
installing
ACE instance on a Linux host 470
ACE instance on a Windows
host 466
guest operating systems 91
Pocket ACE on portable device 461
software in a virtual machine 179
VMware Player on a Linux host 469
VMware Tools silently on Windows
guests 106
Workstation on Linux host 44
Workstation on Windows host 41
Workstation silently on Windows
hosts 42
VMware, Inc.
Index
instance customization, ACE

deployment settings for 440
guest operating systems for 439
initialization scripts 440
Microsoft Sysprep deployment tools
for 439
package settings, overview 437
packages with 453
placeholder values 442
specifying license information for
Windows servers 443
workgroup or domain setting 440
Intel EM64T processor 37
IP address
assigning 305
clone 222
static 305
IP packet forwarding 307
ISO image file 30, 250, 253
K
Kbps, for LAN segment 281
kernel
paravirtual, support for 93
key code mapping 345
keyboard
enhanced virtual, ACE policy 416
enhanced virtual, on Windows 339
language keymaps for VNC
clients 341
mapping on a Linux host 342
shortcuts 72, 158
USB 351
keyloggers 416
keysym
defined 344
mapping 345
kiosk mode, ACE
policies 420
VMware, Inc.
preparing Linux hosts for 472

starting multiple virtual machines
in 476
startup behavior 475
L
LAN segments
and teams 280
changing name 281
configuring connections to 282
deleting 283
setting bandwidth 281
setting Kbps 281
setting packet loss 281
leaks, IP packet 306
legacy emulation for DVD/CD-ROM
drives 252
licensing, serial number and 474
linked clones 227
Linux
32-bit host 27
64-bit host 27
installing on Linux host 44
systems 35
systems 36
supported host operating
systems 27
uninstalling Workstation on Linux
host 47
upgrading on Linux host 51
LiveState system image, importing 135
local area networking 25
location of virtual machine files 83, 150
lock files 236
log files 97, 379
LSI Logic 30, 86, 362
501
502
MAC address
and clones 219
assigning manually 309
of virtual Ethernet adapter 308
map
key code 345
keyboard 342
keysym 345
mapped drives, for virtual disks 198
mapping virtual disks to a drive 199
master boot record (MBR) disks 139
memory
amount required on host 23
settings 415
Microsoft Sysprep deployment tools 440
MIDI 175
mode
exclusive 165
full screen 162
preview 448
promiscuous 316
quick switch 165
Unity 158
modifier keys 373
monitors
specifying the number of 166, 169
using multiple 166, 169
mouse
driver, installed by VMware
Tools 102
USB 351
movie capture 184
moving a virtual machine 223
MP3 175
MS-DOS 33
multiple monitors, using 166, 169
Mylex 30, 86, 362
name
changing team name 274
changing virtual machine name 65
NAT
ACE policies for 409
advanced configuration 319
and DHCP 317
and DNS 318
and the host computer 317
external access from a NAT
network 318
on virtual network 289, 316
port forwarding 323, 328
sample configuration file for Linux
host 327
selecting IP addresses 304
specifying connection from port
below 1024 320
NAT.conf file 321, 327
NetLogon 324
NetWare, Novell 36, 113, 123
network
adding and modifying virtual
Ethernet adapters 295
automatic bridging 297
automatic bridging for ACE
instances 410
changing DHCP settings 300
changing subnet settings 300
changing the configuration 295
components 285
configuring bridged networking
options 297
DHCP 304
DHCP server 286
dial-up connection 306
dynamic domain name service 311
hardware address 308
VMware, Inc.
Index
host-only 290
host-only subnet 304
identity, clone 222
IP forwarding 307
IP packet leaks 306
MAC address 308
NAT 289, 316
NAT as firewall 324
NAT subnet 304
packet filtering 307
promiscuous mode on a Linux
host 316
routing between two host-only
networks 314
Samba 328
second bridged network on a Linux
host 299
switch 285
token ring 289
two host-only networks 302
virtual DHCP server 290, 291
virtual Ethernet adapter 286
virtual network editor 297, 301, 306
virtual switch 285
virtualizing in a team 271
network access policies, ACE 402, 410
network adapters
creating, for team networks 282
virtual, adding 295
virtual, overview of 286
network image package delivery for
ACE 453
New Package wizard 449
New Virtual Machine wizard 66, 80, 89,
235
NFS ports 320
Novell NetWare
supported guests 36
VMware, Inc.
Novell Open Enterprise Server

supported guests 36
NVRAM 97
O
offline usage of ACE instances,
policy 421
Open Enterprise Server 36
open virtual machine format (.ovf and
.ova files) 137
operating system
32-bit Windows host 26
64-bit Windows host 26
FreeBSD 32-bit guest 36
FreeBSD 64-bit guest 36
installing guest 91
Linux 32-bit guest 35
Linux 32-bit host 27
Linux 64-bit guest 36
Linux 64-bit host 28
MS-DOS guest 33
Solaris 32-bit guest 36
Solaris 64-bit guest 36
support for 64-bit guest 37
Windows 32-bit guest 33
Windows 64-bit 34
Opteron processor 37
optical drive supported in host 25
Options tab
virtual machine settings editor 70
VMware Tools 120
.ovf and .ova files 137
P
P2V (physical-to-virtual) conversion 133
Package Properties dialog box 454
package settings, ACE
custom EULA 445
503
encryption 436
instance customization 437
package lifetime 436
placeholder values in instance
customization 442
remote domain join 443
workgroup or domain in instance
customization 440
Packages tab 454
packages, ACE
burning files onto discs 453
changing lifetime setting 436
creating 449
creation progress 453
deployment for Pocket ACE 461
deployment platform for 446
disc labels for 453
disk space required for 452
distribution format 453
Pocket ACE installation 461
pre-deployment test for 455
previewing before deployment 455
registration 453
testing before deployment 455
viewing history of 454
packet
filtering 307
leaks 306
packet loss, configuring, for LAN
segments 281
parallel ports
configuring on a Linux host 333
in a virtual machine 331
installing in virtual machines 332
paravirtualized kernels in Linux
guests 93
parent snapshot 204
pause
restrictions 154
504
pause feature 154

physical disk
adding physical disks 244
capacity 238
storing virtual disks on 237
using in a virtual machine 238
ping 318
placeholder values in instance
customization 442
platform deployment settings, ACE 446
Player policy, ACE 415
plug-ins
writing, for ACE instances 424
.png files for screen captures 183
Pocket ACE
deleting the cache 468, 473
deploying 461
description 88, 457
Disk Size Calculator 88
installing on portable device 461
instructions for running 463
portable device requirements 459
Pocket ACE Deploy Utility dialog
box 461
policies, ACE
access control 391
activation 391
administrative tools 419
authentication 391
copy protection 400
device connection 411
expiration 399
host 402, 466
host-guest data script 397
hot fix 421
kiosk mode 420
network access 402
Player runtime 415
removable device 411
VMware, Inc.
Index
resource signing 401

runtime preferences 415
setting for an ACE instance 390
snapshot 418
update frequency 421
USB device 412
using scripts 424
virtual printer policy 414
policy editor, using 390
policy update frequency, ACE 421
port
TCP and UDP below 1024 320
VNC 228
port forwarding 323, 328
Power menu
disable functions 369
using, for teams 280
power off
snapshot options 213
team 279
Power Off button 152
power on
a virtual machine 148
team 279
to BIOS 148
Powered On list 65
power-on script for ACE instances 394
preferences
display 169
hot keys 340
setting, for Workstation 67
VMware Tools upgrade options 115
workspace 67
Preview in Player icon 448
preview mode, ACE 448, 455
previewing ACE packages 455
printers
ACE virtual printer policy 414
VMware, Inc.
using host printers in a virtual

machine 180
processor
host requirement 23
supported for 64-bit guest 23, 37
promiscuous mode 316
publishing ACE policy changes 455
Q
quick switch mode 165
quiet mode, install VMware Tools 106
quitting ACE Player 479
R
RAM
amount required on host 23
raw disk 238
Real Media 175
real-time clock requirement on Linux
host 44
record/replay feature 257, 259
recordings of virtual machine execution
deleting 212
renaming 210
.REDO file 97
registration
of ACE packages 453
of VMware Workstation 75
reimage snapshots 418
remote connections to a virtual
machine 228
remote domain join 443
RemoteDisplay.vnc.keyMap
property 341
removable devices
ACE policies for 411
deploying Pocket ACE packages
to 461
disconnecting 357
505
removable drive for Pocket ACE 461

removing
a virtual disk 243
devices from a virtual machine 181
Repair option
for VMware Tools installations 105
repairing VMware Tools
installations 114, 118
Replay toolbar 261, 262
reporting problems to VMware 76
Reset button 152
resizing
Linux guests 170
Solaris guests 171
resolution, screen 164
resource signing policy for ACE
instances 401
restricted user interface 369
resume
team 279
virtual machine 201
reverting to snapshot 211
routing
between host-only networks 314
host only 310
runtime preferences policy, ACE 415
S
Samba
and file sharing on a Linux host 328
modifying configuration for
Workstation 328
on both bridged and host-only
networks 330
scan code 344
scanner 361
screen captures 183
506
screen colors
for VNC clients 228
setting, for virtual machines 172
screen modes
full screen 162
quick switch 165
screen resolution 171
screenshot capture 183
screenshots 183
scripts
creating custom VMware Tools 126
enabling, disabling, and
running 122
for ACE instance customization 440
power on, for ACE instances 394
running and disabling 128
running during power state
changes 125
startup, for ACE kiosk mode 476
writing, for ACE instances 424
Scripts tab in VMware Tools 122
SCSI
adding a generic SCSI device 363,
364
avoiding concurrent access on a
Linux host 363
connecting to generic 361
devices in virtual machine 30
drive supported in host 24
driver for Windows NT guest 362
driver for Windows Server 2003
guest 362
driver for Windows XP guest 362
drivers 86, 362
generic SCSI on a Linux host 363
generic SCSI on a Windows
host 361
VMware, Inc.
Index
optical drives 25
permissions for a generic SCSI
device on a Linux host 361
setting up virtual disk as 237
Sempron processor 37
serial connection
between host application and virtual
machine 335
between two virtual machines 335
for debugging 338
to a serial port on the host 335
serial number
for ACE instances 474
serial port, installing and using 335
server
DHCP 286, 306, 317, 324
DNS 311, 317, 318, 319
WINS 319
setting up AutoProtect 215
share
files on a Linux host with
Samba 328
shared folder
enable and disable 192
mounting, on Linux 196
on Linux and Solaris guests 196
permissions on Linux 196
using 190
viewing 195
sharing virtual machines 227
shortcuts, keyboard 67, 72, 340
shrink
virtual disks 123, 240
virtual disks in Netware 123
Shrink tab, VMware Tools 123
sidebar panel 62
size
disk 236, 249
virtual disk 30
VMware, Inc.
sleep, ACPI 380

smart cards in virtual machines 358
SMP
See virtual SMP
snapshot 215
and Workstation 4 virtual
machines 215
as background activity 206
AutoProtect 214
deleting 208, 212
disabling menu functions 369
excluding virtual disks from 207
files 97
linear process 203
parent 204
policies 418
power-off options 213
preserving AutoProtect 215
process tree 204
renaming 208, 210
restoring 211
reverting to 211
reverting to at power off 211
taking 209
team 283
using 203
snapshot manager 208
Solaris
resizing guests 171
systems 36
systems 36
sound
configuring 175
drivers for Windows 9x and NT
guests 176
507
Sound Blaster 176

support in guest 32
.spf file, importing 135
starting
ACE Player 474, 475
Workstation 53
startup commands
used by VMware Tools 130
startup scripts
for ACE kiosk mode 476
using VMware Tools 129
static IP addresses
clone 222
range of 317
.std file 97
stopping
ACE Player 479
recording virtual machine
activity 264
StorageCraft images, importing 135
streaming virtual machines 149, 230
stretch guest display setting 164
subnet
changing settings 300
in NAT configuration 304
on host-only network 304
substring matching, for configuring which
physical network adapter to
use 410
Sun Solaris
systems 36
systems 36
support scripts, running 76
suspend
files 97
team 279
virtual machine 201
508
.sv2i file, importing 135

SVGA drivers
installing, in older Windows
guests 105
switch
virtual network 285
workspaces in Linux guest 340
symmetric multiprocessing
See virtual SMP
system requirements 23
for guests 32
host 23
T
tabs
in Preferences dialog box 67
in VMware Tools control panel 119
virtual machine 54
tape drive 361
.tar file for installing VMware Tools 109
team
adding virtual machine to 276
and LAN segments 280
cloning virtual machine from 283
closing 274
creating clone in New Team
wizard 272, 276
deleting 275
Ethernet adapters for 282
name change 274
network 271
new 272
no clone template 221
opening 273
overview 271
power off 279
powering on 279
removing virtual machine from 277
resume 279
VMware, Inc.
Index
snapshot 283
suspend 279
Telnet 318
template mode for clones 221
3D support 173
time, synchronizing, between guest and
host 120
time.synchronize options for VMware
Tools 121
token ring 289
toolbar
customizing 61, 62
hide 369
Tools panel in the virtual machine
settings editor 117
Tools upgrade options 115
troubleshooting
responding to ACE hot fix
requests 481
with vmware-acetool 479
Turion 64 processor 37
two-way virtual SMP 366
U
UHCI controller 31
uninstalling
an ACE instance from a Linux
host 473
an ACE instance from a Windows
host 468
host virtual adapters 301
VMware Tools 118
Workstation on Linux host 47
Workstation on Windows host 44
Unity mode 158
update frequency 421
updates, checking for Workstation 65
updating VMware Tools 117
VMware, Inc.
upgrade
ACE instances 473
guest operating systems 94
on Linux host 51
on Windows host 48
on Windows Vista host 49
removing snapshots before virtual
machine upgrades 47
virtual machines 94, 95
VMware Tools 115, 117
USB
connecting devices 353
control of devices by host and
guest 356
controller, enabling and
disabling 352
device policies, ACE 411, 412
devices in a virtual machine 351
disconnecting devices 357
keyboard and mouse 351
on a Linux host 356
on a Windows host 355
port specifications 31
supported device types 351
user interface
overview 54
restricted 369
UUID (universal unique identifier)
and clones 219
location 217
options for when you move a virtual
machine 218
specifying 218
V
VAssert API 185
version, changing virtual machine 94
VGA 171
509
virtual adapters
host virtual adapters 301
specifications for 32
virtual appliances
open virtual machine format
(OVF) 137
virtual disk
See also disk
adding to virtual machine 242, 243
allocating disk space 88
compacting 240
defined 236
defragmenting 239
expanding 240
IDE, size 30
legacy 254
mapping, to a Windows drive 198,
199
setting up as IDE or SCSI 237
shrinking 123, 240
shrinking in Netware 123
size 30
storing on physical disks 237
using in a new virtual machine 82
Virtual Disk Manager 254
.vmdk file 97
Virtual Disk Manager 254
virtual hardware
CPU issues 143
disk device issues 143
Ethernet adapter issues 143
graphics card issues 143
virtual keyboard 339
virtual machine
adding a virtual disk 242, 243
adding floppy drive 252
adding or modifying an Ethernet
adapter 295
adding physical disk 244
510
adding to team 276

and SMP 366
cloning from team 283
constituent files 97
conversion 133
creating 79, 133
creating a clone 221
default location of 83
delete 158
encrypting 155
files 150
IDE drives in 30
installing software in 179
migrating 226
moving 217, 223
moving SMP virtual machines 367
name change 65
pausing 154
platform specifications 29
portability 236
power off vs. shut down 152
removing from Favorites list 64
removing from team 277
reset vs. restart 152
resuming 201
running in the background 71, 264
settings 69
shutting down 151
starting 148
starting in full screen mode 377
suspending 201
upgrade or downgrade 94
upgrading procedure 95
using snapshots 203
Virtual Machine Communication
Interface (VMCI) 102
virtual machine settings editor
restricting access 369
VMware Tools panel 117
VMware, Inc.
Index
Virtual PC, importing 135

virtual printer feature 180
virtual printer policy, ACE 414
virtual SMP 366, 367
virtual switch 285
virtual symmetric multiprocessing
See virtual SMP
Visual Studio
installing the Workstation plug-in
for 41
VIX API 185
VM streaming 149, 230
.vmc file, importing 135
VMCI Sockets interface 185
.vmdk file 97
.vmem file 97
VMI (Virtual Machine Interface) enabled
kernels 93
VMnet1 312
VMnet8 317
.vmsd file 97
.vmsn file 97
.vmss file 97
.vmtm file 97
vmtoolsd program 102, 126, 130, 132
VMware ACE, key features of 382
vmware command for VM
streaming 149, 230
vmware command-line program 485
VMware Converter 133, 135
VMware Player
installing on a Linux host 469
quitting ACE 479
running 232
sharing virtual machines with 231
starting ACE 474
VMware Tools
About tab 123
automated install 106
VMware, Inc.
command-line interface 132

configuring 119
configuring in a Netware virtual
machine 123
control panel 119
device drivers 102
Devices tab 122
for FreeBSD guests 112
for NetWare guests 113
for Solaris guests 111
installing from the command line
with the RPM installer 109
installing from the command line
with the tar installer 109
installing on Windows guests 104
modifying installation 118
Options tab 120
running scripts during power state
changes 125
Scripts tab 122
Shrink tab 123
silent install 106
taskbar icon, displaying 120
uninstalling 118
updating 115, 117
using from command line 123
VMware user process 103
vmwtool commands 123
VMware Tools service
executing commands on halt or
reboot 128
overview of 102
passing strings from the host 129
VMware user process, in VMware
Tools 103
vmware-user, starting manually 114
vmware-acetool, using 479
vmware-fullscreen log file 379
vmwtool program 123
.vmx file 97
511
.vmxf file 97
VNC
setting a keyboard map for 341
setting a virtual machine to act as a
VNC server 228
VProbes 185
v-scan code
defined 344
table of codes 347
W
.wav file 175
Windows
32-bit guest operating systems 33
64-bit guest operating systems 34
uninstalling on Windows host 44
upgrading on Windows host 48
upgrading to Windows Vista 49
Windows 95 sound driver 176
Windows 98 sound driver 176
Windows NT
SCSI driver for guest 362
sound driver 176
Windows Server 2003
Windows XP
Windows XP Mode 145
512
wizard
Add Hardware 332, 363
Add Shared Folder 191
Change Version 94
Clone Virtual Machine 222
Conversion 133
New Package 449
New Team 272
New Virtual Machine 66, 80, 89
Workspace tab in preferences editor 67
workspaces
location of 67
switching in Linux guest 340
Workstation
checking for updates for 65
starting 53
X
X server and keyboard mapping 342
X toolkit options 486
xFree86 and keyboard mapping 342
Z
zip drives 357
VMware, Inc.

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Workstation Users Manual

VMware Workstation 7.0

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Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

Workstation Users Manual

About This Book

Workstation Users Manual

Technical Support and Education Resources

Online and Telephone Support

VMware Professional Services

Introduction and System

Workstation Users Manual

Overview of This Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Host System Requirements

Workstation Users Manual

Recommendations for Windows 7 Aero Graphics Support

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Optical CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drives

Local Area Networking

Host Operating System

Workstation Users Manual

Windows Host Operating Systems

Operating System Edition

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Linux Host Operating Systems

Operating System Edition

Workstation Users Manual

Table 1-2. Supported Linux Host Operating Systems (Continued)

Operating System Edition

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Table 1-2. Supported Linux Host Operating Systems (Continued)

Operating System Edition

Virtual Machine Specifications

Workstation Users Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Serial (COM) Ports

Parallel (LPT) Ports

Mouse and Drawing Tablets

Workstation Users Manual

Supported Guest Operating Systems

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems

Operating System Edition

Workstation Users Manual

Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems (Continued)

Operating System Edition

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems (Continued)

Operating System Edition

Workstation Users Manual

Table 1-3. Guest Operating Systems (Continued)

Operating System Edition

Chapter 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Support for 64-Bit Guest Operating Systems

Workstation Users Manual

Installing and Upgrading