NOTE: Desktop virtualization platforms such as VMware Fusion or VMware Workstation are fine for quick use, but aren’t recommended or supported for enterprise implementations.
VMware ESXi runs on top and accesses the hardware directly without the need to install an operating system. This direct access to hardware allows it to perform better, run faster and be more scalable than other types of hypervisors. VMware Tools collects additional guest information and certain parameters are prioritised when installed, such as the guest NIC. As well a summary of virtual disks of the VMware VMS is only available when VMware Tools is installed.
VMware Tools may be installed and the VM compatibility version updated but for additional safety it is advisable to create a snapshot before upgrading so that a roll back is possible.
To begin, power down the Auvik collector. Once that’s done, you’re ready to add the CD/DVD drive you’ll needed to complete the VMware Tools installation. (If you’re using vSphere for managing your ESX or ESXi virtual machines, please skip to the section for vSphere below.)
Adding a CD/DVD drive to the collector
- To add new hardware to the Auvik collector, click on the collector from your virtual platform. From your vSphere ESX client: Right-click and select Edit Settings.
- From the Hardware tab, click Add.
- Select CD/DVD Drive as the device type.
- Click Next.
- Select Use physical drive. Click Next.
- Select Client as the device location.
- Selecting Pass Through (recommended) as the connection.
- Click Next.
- Select IDE (0:1) as the virtual drive node. Click Next.
- Click Finish.
- Click OK to close the settings window.
Installing VMware Tools
Now that the Auvik collector has a CD/DVD drive, you’re ready to install VMware Tools using the collector’s command line interface.
- Power on the collector.
- Once the Auvik collector console appears, pass the VMware Tools image to the collector. From your vSphere ESX client: Inventory > Virtual Machine > Guest > Install/Upgrade VMware Tools
- Click in the console window, open the bash shell, enter
6and thenY. - From the command line, mount the disk image:
sudo mount /dev/sr0 /media/cdrom - Determine the version of the VMware Tools bundle you’re installing. It will depend on which platform and version of VMware you're using:
ls /media/cdrom - Extract the contents of the VMware Tools bundle:
tar -xzvf /media/cdrom/VMwareTools-x.x.x-xxxx.tar.gz -C /tmp/. Be sure to substitute the version number you found via ls - Change to the VMware Tools distribution folder:
cd /tmp/vmware-tools-distrib/ - Run the VMware Tools installer:
sudo ./vmware-install.pl -d- Note: If you don't want to accept defaults, remove the
-dflag from the previous command.
- Note: If you don't want to accept defaults, remove the
- After the installation is complete, reboot the Auvik collector:
sudo reboot
Upon the next reboot, VMware Tools will be installed. Note: If you update the kernel, you’ll have to reinstall VMware Tools using these same steps.
Alternatively, VMWare Tools can be installed by running apt-get install open-vm-tools in the bash shell.
Source: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1022525