You installed Vmware™ server in part 1, now how do you create a virtual machine? From the start menu go to All Programs and then VMware. Under VMware™ Server run VMware Server Home page. The icon is also on the desktop by default. When you first load the web page you may get a certificate error. You will need to manually import the certificate. The error that occurs says that there is a problem with the websites security certificate. Internet Explorer

Click continue to this website.

For Internet Explorer 8 double click the red certificate icon just next to the address bar (or on the information bar at the bottom for IE 6 and below).

View the Certificate

Install the Certificate

Select automatic placement

Click Finish

Yes import the certificate.

Google Chrome

• Unfortunately Google Chrome just can’t get past the security certificate issue with the current version. The error message you receive is:

Error 110 (net::ERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT_NEEDED): Unknown error.

Layout basics

The VMware Infrastructure Web Access console is divided into four main areas.

The left section is the inventory section. This shows you all your virtual machines and their current states.

The bottom section is the messages window.

The main centre section shows you a summary of the Host computer, available resources and network settings.

The middle right section shows the available tasks and commands.

There are also a number of tabs within the middle section that let you have a closer look at particular host and virtual machine settings.

Create a Virtual Machine

Create a new Virtual Disk – the link is located in the right section of the web console.

Specify which storage area you want to use. Specify a disk that has at least 20GB or more free.

• Specify the type of operating system you will install on the virtual machine. These settings enable some optimisations to be completed by the VMware server. In the example we are installing Windows XP Professional.

Specify the guest operating system

• Specify the amount of RAM and the number of CPU’s you want the virtual machine to have. Please note that if you specify too much RAM your computer’s performance will be affected. Also note that if your computer only has one CPU or core then the Virtual machine can only have one virtual CPU.

Set the size of the disk and where you want to save it. For most Microsoft Windows operating systems you want at least 8GB of disk space.

Add a network adapter. Select bridged for this test. Bridged means that the virtual machine has access to the computer network as if it were a normal computer. Two other options also exist:

• Host only – the virtual machine is only allowed to talk to the Host VMware Server. This is very good for when you want to test a machine by not allowing it to access the network.
• NAT- This is a common technology used in firewalls and routers.

Use a Physical CDROM. You also have the option to use an ISO cd image file instead of a physical drive. This method is faster and preferred if possible. For this example we will use a physical cdrom.

Do not add a floppy Drive as it is not needed.

Add a USB Controller.

Review and Finish.

Before you can start the virtual machine you will need to install the VMware™ console plugin. This plugin will let you see the virtual console of the virtual machine just like any normal physical machine.

Click on the console tab and then select the link to install the plugin.

Then click run and run again.

Click Install

Uncheck – Automatically close all instances of Microsoft Internet Explorer…

Click Next

Click Finished

Before proceeding, close the VMWare Infrastructure Web access console, then start VMWare™ Infrastructure Web access console and log in.

Start the Virtual Machine

To start the Virtual Machine select it first by clicking on it from the Inventory section of the VMware™ Infrastructure Web access console.

Click Configure VM

Select the Power Tab

Check the Enter the Bios Setup Screen… option

Click on the Console Tab – until you have the vmware tools installed you will need to click in the window to begin working on the virtual machine and press Control+Alt to release the cursor from the console window.

Now press the green play button.

The Virtual machine will now start up a virtual bios as would any other computer. The operating system installation disk is required in the cdrom or dvd drive. For this example, Windows XP operating system is being used.

During this phase pressing Control and Alt will release your cursor out of the Virtual machine console or computer

In the bios screen go to the Boot option and move the CDrom to the top of the list using the plus button.

Press F10 to save and exit.

Install the operating system as per normal.

When testing the Virtual machine it is recommended that you do not activate the product if you intend on reinstalling again before the 60 day period has expired.

Installing VMware Tools

The VMware™ tools help to improve the performance and feel of the virtual hosts on your VMware™ server.

Go to the main VMware™ Infrastructure Web Access Windows. Click on the Virtual machine.

Then select summary – on the right hand side of the window find and click on Install VMware tools.

Go back to the console window and follow the prompts – select the Typical option and then Install

If prompted click Continue Anyway. This is related to the installation of unsigned drivers, an optional setting you can use in Windows XP and other Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Once the tools are installed, reboot the virtual machine. Do not reboot the computer.

Now you have a working virtual XP machine that can be used for work or testing.

Creating a Virtual machine with VMware Server- Pt 3 will show you how you can copy a physical computer into a virtual machine using the VMware™ Converter tool.