VMware GSX Server 2.5.2

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SuSE Linux 7.3 Installation Guidelines

The easiest method of installing SuSE Linux 7.3 in a virtual machine is to use the standard SuSE distribution CDs. The notes below describe an installation using the standard distribution CD; however, installing SuSE Linux 7.3 via the boot floppy/network method is supported as well.

Before installing the operating system, be sure that you have already created a new virtual machine and configured it using the New Virtual Machine Wizard (on Windows hosts) or Configuration Wizard (on Linux hosts).

Caution: During the SuSE Linux 7.3 installation, do not install an X server. To get an accelerated SVGA X server running inside the virtual machine, install the VMware Tools package immediately after installing SuSE Linux 7.3.

Installation Steps

Use the GSX Server Configuration Editor to verify the virtual machine's devices are set up as you expect before starting the installation. For example, if you would like networking software to be installed during the SuSE Linux 7.3 installation process, be sure the virtual machine's Ethernet adapter is enabled and configured. VMware also recommends that you disable the screen saver on the host system before starting the installation process.
Insert the SuSE Linux 7.3 installation CD in the CD-ROM drive on your GSX Server host and click the Power On button.
Follow the installation steps as you would for a physical machine, until you get to the selection screens described in the next steps.
Install using the text mode installer.
When prompted, do not install an X server. In the Configure Monitor screen, choose No X11. The installer asks you to confirm. Click Continue and finish the installation.
At the end of the installation, install VMware Tools in your guest operating system. For details, see VMware Tools below.

VMware Tools

Be sure to install VMware Tools in your guest operating system. For details, see Installing VMware Tools. Do not start the X server in the guest operating system until you install VMware Tools and run the SaX2 configuration utility. See Before You Start the X Server.

Before You Start the X Server

After you have installed VMware Tools, but before you start the X server, as root user, run the SaX2 configuration utility to configure your X server. At a command prompt, type SaX2 and use the wizard to configure your X server.

After you run SaX2 you may boot your SuSE Linux 7.3 virtual machine with any of the selections offered in LILO.

Enabling Sound After Installing SuSE Linux 7.3

The GSX Server sound device is disabled by default and must be enabled with the Configuration Editor (Settings > Configuration Editor) after the operating system has been installed. To set up the virtual machine to play sound, see Configuring Sound in GSX Server.

Known Issues

On a Linux host with an XFree86 3.x X server, it is best not to run a screen saver in the guest operating system. Guest screen savers that demand a lot of processing power can cause the X server on the host to freeze.

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