How To Install VMware on AlmaLinux 9

VMware is a powerful virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. It provides flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency in IT environments. AlmaLinux, on the other hand, is a community-driven, free, and open-source Linux distribution that is binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). By combining VMware with AlmaLinux, you can create a robust and reliable virtualization platform for your organization.

Virtualization offers numerous benefits, such as better resource utilization, easier management, and faster deployment of virtual machines. Running VMware on AlmaLinux enables you to take advantage of the stability and security features of AlmaLinux while leveraging the advanced virtualization capabilities of VMware. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing VMware on AlmaLinux 9.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before proceeding with the installation of VMware on AlmaLinux 9, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

System Requirements

• A 64-bit AlmaLinux 9 installation
• At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
• Minimum 20 GB of free disk space
• A compatible processor with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)

Software Dependencies

To install VMware on AlmaLinux 9, you need to have the following packages and libraries installed:

• GCC (GNU Compiler Collection)
• Kernel headers
• Make
• Perl

You can install these dependencies by running the following command:

sudo dnf install gcc kernel-devel make perl

User Privileges

Ensure that you have the necessary user privileges to perform the installation. You should have sudo or root access to execute the installation commands.

Step 1: Downloading VMware Workstation

To download VMware Workstation, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official VMware website.
2. Navigate to the VMware Workstation download page.
3. Select the appropriate version of VMware Workstation for AlmaLinux 9 (e.g., VMware Workstation 16 Pro).
4. Download the installation bundle file (e.g., VMware-Workstation-Full-16.x.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.bundle).

After downloading the installation bundle, it is recommended to verify the integrity of the file by comparing its checksum with the one provided on the VMware website. This ensures that the downloaded file is not corrupted or tampered with.

Step 2: Installing VMware Workstation

To install VMware Workstation on AlmaLinux 9, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the installation bundle.
2. Make the installation bundle executable by running the following command:

chmod +x VMware-Workstation-Full-16.x.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.bundle

3. Execute the installer script with sudo privileges:

sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-16.x.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.bundle

The installer will launch, and you will be presented with the VMware Workstation installation wizard.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to accept the license agreement and choose the installation options.
5. Specify the installation directory (default is /usr/lib/vmware) and select the components you want to install.
6. Create a desktop shortcut for easy access to VMware Workstation (optional).
7. Complete the installation process.

If you encounter any errors during the installation, such as kernel module compilation issues, refer to the troubleshooting section below.

Step 3: Resolving Kernel Module Issues

In some cases, you may encounter kernel module compilation errors during the installation of VMware Workstation. This is often due to missing or incompatible kernel headers. To resolve this issue:

1. Ensure that you have the latest version of kernel headers installed. You can update them by running:

sudo dnf update kernel-devel

2. If the issue persists, try manually building the kernel modules. Run the following command:

sudo vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

This command will attempt to build and install the necessary kernel modules for VMware Workstation.

Step 4: Configuring VMware Workstation

After successfully installing VMware Workstation, you can perform some basic configuration steps:

Basic Configuration

1. Launch VMware Workstation from the desktop shortcut or by running vmware in the terminal.
2. Enter your VMware Workstation license key or choose to use the trial version.
3. Customize preferences such as default virtual machine directory, memory allocation, and network settings.

Network Setup

VMware Workstation allows you to configure various network settings for your virtual machines. You can choose between bridged, NAT, or host-only networking modes depending on your requirements. To configure network settings:

1. Go to Edit > Virtual Network Editor.
2. Select the network adapter you want to configure (e.g., VMnet0 for bridged, VMnet8 for NAT).
3. Specify the network settings, such as IP address range, DHCP settings, and network adapters.
4. Apply the changes and close the Virtual Network Editor.

Adding Virtual Machines

To create a new virtual machine in VMware Workstation:

1. Click on File > New Virtual Machine.
2. Choose the creation method (typical or custom) and follow the wizard.
3. Specify the guest operating system, virtual machine name, and location.
4. Allocate resources such as memory, processors, and disk space to the virtual machine.
5. Customize additional settings like network adapter, sound card, and USB controller.
6. Complete the virtual machine creation process.

Step 5: Installing VMware Tools in VMs

VMware Tools is a set of utilities that enhances the performance and functionality of virtual machines. It provides better graphics performance, seamless mouse movement, and improved network and storage drivers. To install VMware Tools in a Linux virtual machine:

1. Power on the virtual machine and log in to the guest operating system.
2. Go to VM > Install VMware Tools in the VMware Workstation menu.
3. Mount the VMware Tools ISO image in the virtual machine.
4. Extract the contents of the VMware Tools tar.gz file.
5. Open a terminal and navigate to the extracted directory.
6. Run the VMware Tools installation script:

sudo ./vmware-install.pl

7. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
8. Reboot the virtual machine for the changes to take effect.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues during the installation or usage of VMware Workstation on AlmaLinux 9, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Kernel Module Issues: If you face kernel module compilation errors, ensure that you have the correct version of kernel headers installed. You can also try manually building the modules using the vmware-modconfig command.
• Network Connectivity Problems: Check the network settings of your virtual machines and ensure that the correct network adapter is selected. Verify that the network settings in the Virtual Network Editor are properly configured.
• USB Device Recognition: If USB devices are not recognized in the virtual machine, make sure that the USB controller is enabled in the virtual machine settings. Also, check if the device is properly connected to the host machine.
• Insufficient Resources: If the virtual machine performance is sluggish, allocate more resources such as memory and processors to the virtual machine. Ensure that your host machine has enough resources to support the virtual machines.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed VMware. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing VMware Workstation on your AlmaLinux 9 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official VMware website.