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

[Brett Alton]

On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM, Chris Morrow <cmorrow at verrus.com> wrote:
> 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
>
> --
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> ubuntu-server at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server
> More info: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ServerTeam
>

I have a script that sets up and installs VMware server, including the
VMware-any-any update and it seems to be working quite well for 32-bit
and 64-bit users.

I've posted it on ubuntuforums.org:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=788169

It doesn't install VMware Tools, but I hope it at least installs the
required libraries and what not to get you up and running. Good luck!

-- 
Brett Alton
brett.jr.alton at gmail.com

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