Step‑by‑Step Guide to Installing a Linux VM with VMware

Introduction

Linux engineers often need a Linux environment for operations, application development, or driver work. Replacing the host OS with Linux can be inconvenient, and buying a separate machine is costly. A practical compromise is to run a Linux virtual machine (VM) on the existing computer.

Choosing and Installing the Virtual Machine Software

The two common VM platforms are VMware and VirtualBox . Both work similarly, but VMware offers a richer feature set, so many prefer it. Download the latest VMware installer (e.g., version 14.1.1) from the official VMware website, a reputable software center, or a trusted public account that provides the link.

Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Downloading the Ubuntu ISO Image

After installing the VM, obtain an Ubuntu 18.04 64‑bit ISO. Ubuntu is recommended for beginners because it bundles most required libraries. Download the ISO from the official Ubuntu site, a software center, or the same trusted public account.

Save the ISO to an easily accessible location (e.g., the desktop).

Configuring VM Hardware Settings

Before creating the virtual machine, decide on hardware allocation:

Memory: 2 GB (options: 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB; avoid non‑standard sizes like 3 GB).

CPU: 2 cores (adjustable later if needed).

Disk: 20 GB dynamic disk (increase to 40 GB if required; the disk expands as data is written).

Proceed through the VMware wizard, selecting defaults for most options, and name the VM (e.g., Ubuntu_LX) and its storage location.

Installing Ubuntu on the VM

After the VM hardware is set, start the VM and attach the Ubuntu ISO:

Click the “Edit virtual machine settings” icon.

In the hardware list, choose CD/DVD (SATA) , select “Use ISO image file”, and browse to the saved Ubuntu ISO.

Confirm and power on the VM.

The Ubuntu installer will launch. Recommended choices:

Language: English.

Keyboard layout: English (US).

Installation type: default (erase disk and install Ubuntu).

Continue through the installer screens, providing basic personal information when prompted.

The installation typically takes about 20 minutes. After completion, select “Restart now” to reboot the VM. The Linux system is now ready for use.

Next Steps

The next article will cover basic VM configuration to make the environment suitable for development work.