Difference between revisions of "HowTo Install Virtual Machines with VMware Player"
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* Official documentation: [https://vmware.com/pdf/vmware_player40.pdf Getting Started with VMware Player] | * Official documentation: [https://vmware.com/pdf/vmware_player40.pdf Getting Started with VMware Player] | ||
− | Go to the first link and take care of registering and downloading VMplayer for your desired Operating System (Windows, Linux or Mac OS X). (If you don't want to register... search | + | Go to the first link and take care of registering and downloading VMplayer for your desired Operating System (Windows, Linux or Mac OS X). (If you don't want to register... search on-line for other possible solutions, but be careful not to download ''damaged'' software.) |
TODO: | TODO: |
Revision as of 22:53, 6 July 2012
Contents
1 Introduction
Testing OpenFOAM installations on several different Operating Systems can take its toll. But at least with virtualization, one person can handle 3, 4 or even more virtual machines at the same time or in sequence, all with a single real machine.
For the readers that don't know what machine virtualization is, here are some pages on this subject at Wikipedia:
- Page about what a Virtual machine is.
- The global description of what Virtualization is.
- Extended descriptions of selected virtualization software.
From the last link there are 2 popular and free virtualization applications for the general public:
- VirtualBox - The preferred among the open-source community, given the code is open-source.
- VMware Player - The one described in this How To page and which will be referred to from here on as VMplayer.
The choice of using VMplayer is somewhat simple: it's free, very good (if not best) performance and easy to use. (and personal preference - Wyldckat 00:11, 7 July 2012 (CEST)) Nonetheless, VirtualBox is a very good competitor, specially for testing PXE boot images. (Wyldckat 00:11, 7 July 2012 (CEST))
This wiki page is divided into the following chapters:
- How to install VMplayer
- How to create a new virtual machine
- Troubleshooting - as in don't shoot your computer, shoot only the troubles themselves
Final introductory note: this tutorial would probably be more appreciated as a video tutorial, but that exercise is left to the readers that wish to contribute!
2 How to install VMplayer
First a few links for reference:
- The official page for VMware Player: www.vmware.com/vmplayer
- Official documentation: Getting Started with VMware Player
Go to the first link and take care of registering and downloading VMplayer for your desired Operating System (Windows, Linux or Mac OS X). (If you don't want to register... search on-line for other possible solutions, but be careful not to download damaged software.)
TODO:
- Describe existing installers and how to run them on each OS.
- Show pictures of the installation process, which should be nearly identical for all of them.
3 How to create a new virtual machine
TODO... 1st upload pictures, then write dialogue...
4 Troubleshooting
On this chapter is shown various known issues and solutions. Other issues and solutions can be found in the official documentation (see chapter How to install VMplayer) and on-line.
4.1 The yield() function is not activated
Issue: A message dialogue box appears saying:
The yield() function is not activated
And doesn't allow running the machine.
Note: This is happens on Linux with kernel versions greater or equal to 2.6.31.
Solution: To fix this until next boot, run as root:
echo "1">/proc/sys/kernel/sched_compat_yield sysctl -w kernel.sched_compat_yield="1"
For a permanent solution, run as root as well:
echo -e "\n\n#This is needed for Virtual Machines to run at full power\!\nkernel.sched_compat_yield = 1" >> /etc/sysctl.conf
4.2 Unable to operate the VMplayer window
Issue: Error and warning windows sometimes pop to the wrong side of the window, namely to the back of the VMplayer window!
Note: This is more common on Linux.
Solution: The main window is sometimes still usable, in the sense that it can still be moved out of the way, to reveal the small error/warning dialogue in the back of the main window.
4.3 /dev/vmmon does not exist
Issue: A dialogue appears with the message:
/dev/vmmon does not exist
Note: This is more common on Linux.
Solution: run as root:
/etc/init.d/vmware stop /etc/init.d/vmware start
5 History
Readers are welcome to improve this document if they so see fit to do it. Links to video tutorials directly related to this tutorial are also welcome.
Below is a short edit history. For the complete history, see the History link at the top-right of the page.
- Wyldckat 00:30, 7 July 2012 (CEST) - Still editing the page...