VMware Tools install on Ubuntu Server 8.04/2.6.24-18.32 Guest (ESX 3.5)

[Chris Morrow]

Hello list,

I am attempting to install VMware tools 3.5.0 build 82663 on
Ubuntu-Server 8.04/2.6.24-18.32. I have successfully installed and
updated the required prerequisite packages (autoconf, automake,
binutils, make, cpp, gcc, linux-headers-`uname -r`, build-essentials) as
well as anything else that apt-get recommended. Unfortunately, running
'vmware-install.pl' experiences issues once I invoke the
'vmware-config-tools.pl' script. Here are my steps:

- sudo ./vmware-install.pl
	- Accept all defaults
	- Installer asks the user if 'vmware-config-tools.pl' should be
run
		- select 'yes'

******<PASTE>******
Before running VMware Tools for the first time, you need to configure it
by
invoking the following command: "/usr/bin/vmware-config-tools.pl". Do
you want
this program to invoke the command for you now? [yes]

Stopping VMware Tools services in the virtual machine:
   Guest operating system daemon:
done
Trying to find a suitable vmmemctl module for your running kernel.

None of the pre-built vmmemctl modules for VMware Tools is suitable for
your
running kernel.  Do you want this program to try to build the vmmemctl
module
for your system (you need to have a C compiler installed on your
system)?
[yes]

Using compiler "/usr/bin/gcc". Use environment variable CC to override.

What is the location of the directory of C header files that match your
running
kernel? [/lib/modules/2.6.24-18-server/build/include]

Extracting the sources of the vmmemctl module.

Building the vmmemctl module.

Using 2.6.x kernel build system.
make: Entering directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only'
make -C /lib/modules/2.6.24-18-server/build/include/.. SUBDIRS=$PWD
SRCROOT=$PWD/. modules
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-18-server'
  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/backdoorGcc32.o
  CC [M]  /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/os.o
In file included from /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/os.c:51:
/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/compat_wait.h:55:5: warning:
"VMW_HAVE_EPOLL" is not defined
/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/compat_wait.h:61:5: warning:
"VMW_HAVE_EPOLL" is not defined
In file included from /tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/os.c:51:
/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/compat_wait.h:78: error: conflicting
types for 'poll_initwait'
include/linux/poll.h:65: error: previous declaration of 'poll_initwait'
was here
make[2]: *** [/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only/os.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [_module_/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only] Error 2
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-headers-2.6.24-18-server'
make: *** [vmmemctl.ko] Error 2
make: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config0/vmmemctl-only'
Unable to build the vmmemctl module.
******</PASTE>******

At this point the 'vmware-config-tools.pl' script fails. 

What is the recommended (supported/secure/best practice) to install
VMware tools on Ubuntu Server 8.04 guest OS? It seems like there are
three options.

1) Scour forums, blogs and websites to piece together a solution. (I
have already spent 3+ hours reading and attempting other peoples steps)

2) Install 'Open-vm-tools' which is considered "alpha" quality?
(https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/open-vm-tools/+bug/217254)

3) Don't install VMware Tools on the guest

I would like to hear what the Ubuntu developers and other System
Administrators have to say about this.

Thanks,

Chris Morrow