AOMEI Cyber Backup
Detailed Guide: How to Install VMware Tools on Linux VM
Installing VMware Tools in a Linux virtual machine provides a range of benefits, such as significantly improving the functionality, integration, and overall performance of the guest operating system.
By Amelia / Updated on December 18, 2024
VMware Tools improves the performance of virtual machines (VMs) running in VMware environments such as VMware Workstation, VMware Fusion, and VMware vSphere. Installing VMware Tools in Linux enables better graphics performance and resolution, improved mouse pointer integration, host and guest shared folders, drag-and-drop file transfers, and copy-and-paste clipboard functionality. This article will focus on how to install VMware Tools on Linux.
How to Install VMware Tools on Linux VM
The following section describes two methods for installing VMware Tools on a Linux-based virtual machine.
Prerequisites
🔶Linux Guest OS: Ensure your virtual machine is powered and running a supported Linux distribution.
🔶Administrator Privileges: You need root or sudo access to install software.
🔶VMware Environment: Your VM must run in VMware Workstation, Player, Fusion, or vSphere.
Method 1. Installing Open VM Tools
Linux distributions support Open VM Tools, available in most package managers, making installation very simple.
1. Update System
Before installation, update your system to ensure you have the latest packages.
▶For Debian/Ubuntu-based system:
▶For Red Hat/CentOS-based system:
2. Install Open VM Tools
▶On Debian/Ubuntu:
▶For Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora:
▶On SUSE/OpenSUSE:
For the system using a graphical desktop environment, for example, GNOME and KDE, install the desktop version of Open VM Tools to enable advanced graphics features:
▶On Debian/Ubuntu:
▶On Red Hat/CentOS:
3. Verify the Installation
After installation, verify that VMware Tools is running by checking the status, this command should display the installed version of Open VM Tools.
Method 2. Installing VMware Tools from VMware ISO
If Open VM Tools is unavailable or you prefer a traditional VMware Tools package, you can install it manually using a VMware Tools ISO file.
1. Load the VMware Tools ISO
In VMware Workstation or vSphere, go to the Virtual Machine menu and select Install VMware Tools or Reinstall VMware Tools. This mounts the VMware Tools ISO file to the virtual CD-ROM drive of the virtual machine.
2. Mount the CD-ROM
◆Create a directory to mount the ISO file:
◆Mount the virtual CD-ROM drive:
3. Extract the VMware Tools Archive
Navigate to the mounted directory and extract the VMware Tools tar.gz file:
sudo tar -zxvf VMwareTools-*.tar.gz -C /tmp
Remember to replace VMwareTools-*.tar.gz with the actual file name.
4. Run the VMware Tools Installer
Navigate to the extracted folder in /tmp and run the installer:
sudo ./vmware-install.pl
5. Reboot the System
Once the installation is complete, reboot the virtual machine.
Powerful Backup Tool to Backup and Restore Linux VM
AOMEI Cyber Backup is a powerful free tool designed to backup VMware environments, supporting the backup of any ESXi virtual machine, regardless of whether it is running Linux or another guest operating system. The software offers a flexible agentless solution, making it particularly convenient to back up Linux virtual machines.
AOMEI Cyber Backup has various features that enhance the user experience and simplify the backup process. These ensure that your data is protected and easily accessible when you need it.
Simple steps to backup and restore
Step 1. Log into the AOMEI Cyber Backup Console, navigate to Source Device > VMware > + Add VMware Device to Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi. Then enter Device Information and User Information, and click Confirm.
Step 2. Navigate to Backup Task > Create New Task, and select VMware ESXi Backup as the Device Type. Then configure the Task Name, Device, Target, Schedule, and Archive.
- Device: Cover multiple VMs on the host within one backup task.
- Target: You can choose to back up to a local path, or a network path.
- Schedule: You can perform full, differential, or incremental backup, and automate execution according to the frequency you can specify.
- Archive: You can add an Amazon S3 bucket, and archive backup versions to it.
Step 3. Click Start Backup, select Add the schedule, and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.
Step 4. After creating the backup task, you can check the task in the Backup Task tab. When you need to restore the backup, click … > Restore.
Conclusion
Installing VMware Tools or Open VM Tools on Linux virtual machines improves the host system's performance, availability, and integration. Following the actions provided in this article makes sure that virtual machines run optimally in a VMware environment.
