Virtualization Technologies | VMware Workstation, Player, Pro, Virtual Machine
This tutorial will show you how to create and configure a virtual machine under "VMware Workstation".
Note: VMware Workstation 15 has been given private lessons.
There are 2 ways to create a virtual machine. The simple method is "Typical" and the custom method is "Custom".
1. Create a virtual machine in a simple way (with Easy Install)
Go to the "File" menu and click on "New Virtual Machine".
Then select "Typical (recommended)" and click "Next".
For the installation of the client operating system (ie installed on the virtual machine), there are 3 possibilities:
- Load disc: allows you to install an operating system from a physical CD. This option connects your physical CD / DVD drive to the virtual machine you created.
- Load disc image (iso): allows you to load the ISO image from the CD / DVD image.
- I will install the operating system later: Allows you to manually specify which operating system is installed on the virtual machine.
If you select one of the first 2 options and VMware detects which operating system it is, VMware will automatically use Eaysy Install. This installation mode allows you to specify the name, serial number, and user name / password of the user account to be created, and VMware then installs without the operating system. user intervention.
However, other parameters, such as keyboard layout and installed language, may not be requested by the user. Professionals therefore prefer to install the operating systems themselves and therefore choose option 3.
If you have selected one of the first 2 options and VMware has detected which operating system it has, it will prompt you for this information:
- Windows product key: Windows serial number
- Personalize Windows, Full name / Password: The username and password of the account to be created after installation is complete.
- Automatic login: Allows you to automatically login to the guest operating system despite your password. However, do not forget your password, because it may be required for some operations on the guest operating system.
Note: This window may vary depending on the operating system to be installed.
Then, you can specify a name for this virtual machine and the folder in which it will be created.
Note: If you have an SSD, we do not recommend that you create all your virtual machines, as their lifetime will be significantly reduced due to any changes you make to the virtual machines.
However, it is a good idea to install VMware Workstation on an SSD.
You can then determine the size of the virtual machine's hard disk. The default size of the hard disk depends on the guest operating system to be installed.
For example, the recommended size for Windows XP Pro is 40 GB. He said that you can increase it if you plan to build great apps.
You can then store the hard disk file in one (large) file or multiple files. Cutting the hard drive into several pieces makes it easier to move the hard drive to another computer, but reduces performance on very large hard drives.
You can then configure other settings by clicking "Customize Hardware". However, you cannot change the settings of the virtual hard disk until this wizard closes.
If you want to change these settings, uncheck "Turn on this virtual machine ..." to prevent the virtual machine from starting automatically and click the "Finish" button. Then click "Edit virtual machine settings."
2. Create a virtual machine by custom method (without Easy Setup)
To create a custom virtual machine, select "Custom (advanced)" and click "Next".
This time, you will be able to define more parameters, such as compatibility with older VMware versions. Note that older versions are more limited than the latest version. For example, at the RAM level, the number of processors (or cores), the number of network cards, ...
This time, select "I will install the operating system later".
Then, select the operating system (32 or 64-bit in the desired architecture) to install on the virtual machine.
You can then specify a name for this virtual machine and the folder in which it will be created.
Note: If you have an SSD, we do not recommend that you create all your virtual machines on this machine, because the lifetime will be significantly reduced.
Optionally, you can assign multiple processors or processor cores to your virtual machine. This is necessary, for example, if you want to install ESXi on a virtual machine (for development only). Because for ESXi 5.0, you'll need a Dual Core processor (2-core). The maximum number of cores depends on your physical processor.
The default RAM also depends on the guest operating system you select. For example, the recommended RAM in Windows XP is 512 Mb. You can increase this, but keep some RAM for your physical computer if you don't want your computer to paddle.
With VMware, different networks are pre-configured:
- Bridged network communication: The machine appears as a machine that is physically connected to your network through a bridge. (Corresponds to the "Bridge Access" mode of VirtualBox).
- NAT: Share the IP address of the physical machine. The connection of the virtual machine thus passes through the connection of the physical machine.
- Host network only: The machine is connected to a virtual network on your computer only. Invisible from other computers on your network.
- Do not use a network connection: The virtual machine will not connect to the network and there will be no Internet connection.
Select the SCSI controller type. It is recommended that you exit the default settings if you do not want to experience driver problems.
For hard drive options, VMware offers you:
- Create a new virtual disk: Create a new virtual hard disk
Use an existing virtual disk: Use an existing virtual hard disk (you can select it in the next step)
- Use a physical disk (for advanced users): Allows you to use a physical hard disk. You will need administrator rights. (If you are using Win Vista, 7 or 8, a window for administrator rights will be displayed)
The hard disk type is also selected by default depending on the guest operating system selected at startup. Because Windows XP does not support SCSI locally, VMware will select IDE by default. However, SCSI is more efficient.
You can then determine the size of the virtual machine's hard disk. The default size of the hard disk depends on the guest operating system to be installed.
For example, the recommended size for Windows XP Pro is 40 GB. He said that you can increase it if you plan to build great apps.
You can then store the hard disk file in one (large) file or multiple files. Cutting the hard drive into several pieces makes it easier to move the hard drive to another computer, but reduces performance on very large hard drives.
If you want, you can rename the virtual hard disk file.
As you can see, VMware creates virtual hard disks in the "vmdk" format.
The only remaining option to configure is the CD / DVD drive. Click "Customize Hardware."
In the "Hardware" window that opens, click on "New CD / DVD" and check if the "Connect when power on" box is checked.
Then select the "physical drive" to mount your physical CD / DVD drive to the virtual machine, or "ISO image file" to use a CD / DVD image to mount the virtual drive.
For now, insert the CD / DVD or specify the ISO image of the operating system to be installed on the virtual machine.
Now that the virtual machine has been created, you can now start it by clicking the green triangle or by clicking "Turn on this virtual machine."
Because the virtual hard disk is not initialized (empty), the virtual machine will automatically start in the CD drive. Otherwise, the BIOS settings of vm (virtual machine) will need to be changed to start first on the CD / DVD drive and then on the hard disk.
