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Disclaimer I have little experience with Linux, VMware, or server stuff. Also, I had posted this question originally at https://serverfault.com/questions/490037/server-virtualization-on-ubuntu-server-or-something-else It was voted down and closed. I was told I should have posted here.

My goal is run Ubuntu Server VMs (or possibly another, smaller linux distribution) with exception of possibly 1 windows server instance.


What I've done so far Copied the gz from a usb thumb to a folder I made called /vm_tgz Changed directory to /vm_tgz/vmware-server-distrib/ Executed sudo -s -H Executed ./vmware-install.pl

I get prompted for a C compiler. I exited the install and ran apt-get install gcc. Executed ./vwmare-install.pl again

This time I make it past the prompt for the compiler. I know get asked for the linux headers. I break out of the installer... After reading around on the interwebs, I try creating a symlink at /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/build/include/linux with the following commands:

ln -s /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/build/include/generated/autoconf.h /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/build/include/linux/utsrelease.h

ln -s /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/build/include/generated/autoconf.h /lib/modules/3.5.0-25-generic/build/include/linux/utsrelease.h

I run ./vmware-install.pl I get past the prompt for the headers, but it fails when when trying to build the vmmon module. Also, I see a previous error stating conflicting types for poll_initwait.

I saw a post about installing VMware Server 2 on Ubuntu 11, but I don't really understand the instructions. I checked for an install.sh and a patch file, but didn't see one.

I found another post detailing the steps again, but I still don't understand.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Install.sh Patch


EDIT: A change of direction


After taking the initial feedback to heart, it seems I'm trying to fit a square peg through a round hole.

I am not aimed at desktop virtualization, but rather server virtualization (I may have an instance of Windows Server in the mix), so I still want to go as "bare-metal" as possible. I read Alternatives to Esx.

This article recommends VirtualBox for desktop use, and Xen in an HVM mode or KVM for server virtualization.

I also saw a post where someone used TinyCore with VirtualBox, and though I am willing to give it a go, I'm a bit leery of the "fringe" linux distros. I've had much success with Ubuntu working with little effort.

At this point, I am looking for a "straight-forward" solution. If I need to scrub my Ubuntu install for KVM, and KVM will "just work", perfect! If I need to pick a better stack, ok, but what?

Can someone steer me in this new direction? All opinions and suggestions will be taken to heart.


I see this post is bad enough to merit a -1... Well, I just learned this type of product is called a Hypervisor. It's hard to know how to ask a question well without the proper vocabulary. I also understand the question may be a bit subjective. I really am trying to make this as objective as possible. This is why I included my disclaimer. I hope for some responses. I am going to continue to press to get a good solution for my home, and once I have it, I am going to post my results. Hopefully, the next person struggling to get started with Hypervisors will find this post and know how to approach solving this problem.


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Well assuming you want to virtualize Windows Servers, I would go with HyperV from Microsoft. To give you some background, a hypervisor is basically and extremely lightweight OS that enables you to run VMs on top of it. That way, you don't have the weight of a full OS under your VMs when all you really need is a basic OS to run your multiple VMs on. HVs give you other perks too but this is just a primer, that info is documented better elsewhere.

If you aren't really going to run Windows OSes, then I would use a Linux based hypervisor, as HyperV will run Linux OSes, but to get good networking support you would need to run RHEL or CentOS, just FYI. I don't have experience with Linux based Hypervisors like the one you mentioned, but hopefully this will clear up some of your confusion.

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  • I will mostly be running Ubuntu Server vms (or possibly another, smaller linux distro).
    – Josh C.
    Mar 21, 2013 at 15:39

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