VMware Tools is a software application that allows you to manage virtual machines, create and manage snapshots, and more. If you’re using Ubuntu Edgy Eft as your primary Linux workstation, then you should install VMware Tools. If you’re not using Ubuntu Edgy Eft as your primary Linux workstation, then you should not install VMware Tools.
Ubuntu continues to evolve, and the pre-compiled vmware tools just don’t have the time to adapt. This makes it a little more difficult to install, but not impossible.
The first thing that is important is that you will need to know is that you have to install the compilation utilities, which aren’t installed by default. Run these commands to get you started:
The first command installs gcc and all the compiler utilities. The second command installs the header files for your currently running kernel. Notice that the ` is the one next to the 1 key on your keyboard.
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-uname -r
Now you’ll want to navigate to the VM \ Install VMware Tools menu:
This will mount the vmware tools in Ubuntu so that you can begin the install. To install the tools, run the following commands:
Select all of the defaults. It will prompt you that you need to compile the module for your system. Select yes and continue.
cd /tmp
tar xvzf VM*.gz
cd vmware*
sudo ./vmware-install.pl
When you are all done, reboot your virtual machine, and that’s all there is to it.
Tested on: Ubuntu Dapper, Ubuntu Edgy Eft
