GNU/Linux Desktop Survival Guide
by Graham Williams
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GNU/Linux Desktop Survival Guide by Graham Williams |
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VMware is an excellent solution for running legacy MSWindows applications without the need for dual boot nor the need for having an extra machine. You end up with a genuine installation of MSWindows, not an emulator, so that compatibility is not an issue.
You can trial VMware for 30 days, which is a good idea to try it out. Visit http://www.vmware.com and register for the trial.
Unfortunately, VMware is not packaged for Debian GNU/Linux, but you can install either the RPM or the TAR. The TAR is recommended. Download the TAR as: VMware-workstation-4.5.2-8848.tar.gz. Both VMware and any updates should install quite painlessly.
Install the Debian package for the kernel headers corresponding to the kernel you are running (e.g., kernel-headers-2.6.7-1-686-smp). VMware will need to compile some kernel modules.
Let the install script install in /usr/local/.
As root:
# tar zxvf VMware-workstation-4.5.2-8848.tar.gz
# cd vmware-distrib
# ./vmware-install.pl
/usr/local/bin
<enter> (/etc)
<enter> (/etc/init.d)
<enter> (/usr/local/lib/vmware)
<enter> (yes to create path)
<enter> (/usr/local/share/man)
<enter> (/usr/local/doc/vmware)
<enter> (yes to create path)
<enter> (yes to invoke /usr/local/bin/vmware-config.pl)
<enter> (yes to display license)
yes (accept license)
<enter> (build modules)
<enter> (/lib/modules/2.6.7-1-686-smp/build/include)
<enter> (networking)
<enter> (NAT networking)
<enter> (probe for private subnet -> 192.168.130.0/255.255.255.0)
<enter> (no host-only networking)
yes (access the host's filesystem)
<enter> (probe for private subnet -> 172.16.199.1/255.255.255.0)
(It requests that in /etc/samba/smb.conf there is a "socket
address" line that contains only your real host IP address -
I don't have such a line)
<enter> (supply username/ SMB password)
<enter> (no other username/password at this time)
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The vmware-config.pl script might be useful.
Relevant kernel modules will be placed in /lib/modules/`uname -r`/ and vmware has a good uninstall script to remove itself if required. Also, the vmware install script will move an old version out of the way.
