rPath Linux:Use VMware Images on rPath Linux

From rPath Wiki

Use rPath Linux with an installed VMware® hypervisor to test or deploy VMware virtual appliances.

These instructions are old and potentially out of date

The instructions provided here apply to rPath Linux as the host operating system and use VMware Player examples. However, the same instructions can be modified as needed to apply to any of the following products installed on your rPath Linux system:

• VMware Player
• VMware Server
• VMware Workstation

Install and Patch the VMware Product

Obtain the VMware product installation from VMware. For VMware Player, download it for 'Linux (.tar)' from: http://www.vmware.com/download/player/

Install the VMware product on rPath Linux:

$ tar zxvf VMware-player-1.0.1-19317.tar.gz
$ cd vmware-player-distrib
# ./vmware-install.pl

Use default responses to the VMware installer prompts. Continue through configuration when the installer directs you. Accept the EULA and continue to use the default responses to installation prompts. Note when the configuration script asks:

What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your
running kernel?

This value should be the same as that reported by this command:

$ echo "/lib/modules/`uname -r`/build/include"

If these values to not match, you are running a 2.6.16 kernel and will need to patch VMware Player using the steps below. Enter the value returned from the above command, such as:

/lib/modules/2.6.16.20-1.smp.xen.x86.i686.cmov/build/include

Verify that you receive an error message:

The kernel defined by this directory of header files does not have the same
address space size as your running kernel.

Press Ctrl-c to terminate the VMware player configuration script and follow the instructions for patching VMware.

The current VMware Player (version 1.0.1) and VMware Workstation products do not build kernel modules for the 2.6.16 series of kernels. Check your kernel version with uname -r and if it is found to be 2.6.16, you'll need to patch VMware. Instructions for doing so are included in this guide.

Download the latest VMware patch from: http://ftp.cvut.cz/vmware

Apply the patch to the installed VMware product:

$ tar zxvf vmware-any-any-update101.tar.gz
$ cd vmware-any-any-update101
# ./runme.pl

Verify that you are prompted to start configuration:

Before running VMware for the first time after update, you need to
configure it for your running kernel by invoking the following
command: "/usr/bin/vmware-config.pl". Do you want this script to
invoke the command for you now? [yes]

Answer yes here to begin the configuration process. Accept the default prompt responses throughout the configuration script unless you have specific needs (such as networking configuration). At the conclusion of the script, you should have a working installation of the VMware product.

Launch the VMware product by using the Gnome menus (listed under Applications --> System Tools) or a command prompt, such as:

$ vmplayer

Additional documentation on VMware products is available from the VMware website.

Deploy a VMware Virtual Appliance in rPath Linux

Use the Open Virtual Machine window to select and open the VMware image (.vmx file). If the file is compressed, uncompress it prior to opening. The image should boot and run.

Run the image in bridged or NAT mode for network as selected when creating the rBuilder image. VMware Virtual Appliance images in rBuilder will be in bridged mode by default, but can be modified in the Advanced Options for the build type.

Related link: Instructions to deploy a VMware ESX Server Virtual Appliance are provided on this page.