This document outlines the steps to install VMware tools on Redhat 5.4. This document assumes a fresh vanilla install as described in the post
Installing RedHat 5.4 64 bit.

To begin log into your RedHat server as a user and right click on the desktop to open a terminal window.

Enter the command su and enter your root password to become root.

Change directories to the temp directory:

cd /tmp

From the VMWare file menu click on VM and click on “Install VMware Tools”

Enter the following command to mount the cdrom:

mount -o ro /dev/cdrom /mnt

Enter the following command to copy files from the /mnt mointpoint to the current directory (/tmp):

cp /mnt/* .

There are two files: an rpm and a tar.gz archive. I have not had the best of luck with the rpm, so instead we will install the generic way using the perl script contained within the archive.

Enter the following to unzip the archive:

gunzip VM*.gz
tar -xvf VM*.tar

Change directories to the newly created vmware-tools-distrib directory:

cd vmware-tools-distrib

Enter the following to execute the vmware-install perl script:

perl vmware-install.pl

Continue to press Enter at prompts to accept defaults until script completes

Script completes in about a minute and you’re all done

Please post questions or comments below

This build document outlines creating a Virtual Appliance using VMWare Workstation 6.5 and Ubuntu Jeos (Just Enough Operating System) 8.04.3 operating system .

This document is organized into four sections:

Creating A Virtual Machine in Workstation
Installing Jeos inside VMWare Workstation
Installing VMWare Tools in Jeos
Converting VM to OVF template

Creating Virtual Machine

The first step is to open Workstation and create a new virtual machine.

Select Linux and Ubuntu

For disk size, select 4 GB (since this is an appliance we will make everything small)

Continue through the wizard. At the end click Customize Hardware

Set memory to 256 MB

Click on CD/DVD and mount the jeos-8.04.3-jeos-i386.iso file

Click on Network Adapter and set it to Bridged

Press OK and a new empty virtual machine will be created. As soon as VMWare is ready press the green play button to power on the virtual machine.

This document demonstrates the installation of VMWare’s ESXi 4 operating system.

Installation Time: Approx 10 minutes

Click here to watch video

Note: Must have minimum 2 GB Ram

Installation

To begin download the free iso file from VMWare’s website and burn it to a CD. Enter the CD into your server and power on / reboot.

You will see a bunch of dots as the installer is getting unpacked. This may take a minute or two.

You’ll see the yellow screen and the progress bar as the installer is preparing

When you see the welcome screen press Enter to begin install

Press F11 to accept agreement

Select the disk where you want to install the ESXi operating system

Press F11 (again) to proceed installing ESXi on this disk

ESXi will be installed. May take one or two minutes

When finished, press Enter to reboot, and be sure to remove CD

Configuration

After reboot there are a few things to configure. Begin configuration by pressing F2

The first thing to do is set the root password. Select Configure Password and press Enter

Enter your password andtype it again to confirm

Next, configure the networking. Select Configure Management Network

If you have multiple network adapter, make sure you select the correct adapter for the management network. Select Network Adapters

Verify which nic you want to use for management

Finally, if you will be using a static IP address select IP Configuration

Enter IP information

At this point, the ESXi host is ready to start hosting virtual machines. This can be done using the VI client or VCenter (formerly Virtual Center).

If you have questions or problems with this build document please leave a comment below.