VMware GSX Server 3.2

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Configuring VMware Tools in a Windows Virtual Machine

This section shows the options available in a Windows 2000 guest operating system. Similar configuration options are available in VMware Tools for other Windows guests.

To open the VMware Tools control panel, double-click the VMware Tools icon in the system tray.

If the VMware Tools icon does not appear in the system tray, go to Start > Control Panel > VMware Tools.

Setting Options with VMware Tools

The Options tab shows miscellaneous options.

Time synchronization between the virtual machine and the host operating system — this option lets you synchronize the time in the guest operating system with the time in the host operating system.

Note: You can synchronize the time in the guest operating system with the time on the host operating system only when you set the clock in the guest operating system to a time earlier than the time set in the host.

To completely disable time synchronization, see Disabling Time Synchronization.

Show VMware Tools in the taskbar — this option displays the VMware Tools icon in the Windows taskbar.

Connecting Devices with VMware Tools

The Devices tab allows you to enable or disable removable devices. Removable devices include the floppy and CD-ROM drives and the virtual network adapter.

To connect a device, check the check box next to the device. To disconnect the device, clear the check box next to the device.

Note: You can also set these options from the VM > Removable Devices menu in the virtual machine window.

Choosing Scripts for VMware Tools to Run During Power State Changes

Through VMware Tools, you can run scripts that execute when you power on, power off, suspend or resume the virtual machine. For more information, see Executing Scripts When the Virtual Machine's Power State Changes.

Note: Scripts cannot be run in Windows 95 guest operating systems.

Note: Scripts in Windows NT and Windows Me guest operating systems do not release and renew the IP address.

The Scripts tab lets you enable, disable and run scripts that are associated with the Suspend, Resume, Power On and Power Off buttons.

A default script for each power state is included in VMware Tools. These scripts are located in the guest operating system in C:\Program Files\VMware.


When You ...	This Default Script Runs
Suspend the guest operating system	`suspend-vm-default.bat`
Resume the guest operating system	`resume-vm-default.bat`
Power off the guest operating system	`poweroff-vm-default.bat`
Power on the guest operating system	`poweron-vm-default.bat`

Windows hosts: If the virtual machine is configured to use DHCP, the script executed when you suspend a virtual machine releases the IP address of the virtual machine. The script executed when you resume a virtual machine renews the IP address of the virtual machine.

Linux hosts: The script executed when you suspend a virtual machine stops networking for the virtual machine. The script executed when you resume a virtual machine starts networking for the virtual machine.

For each power state, you can use the default script or you can substitute a script you created. In addition, you can test a script or disable the running of a script. Complete the following steps.

1. In the Script Event list, select the power operation with which to associate the script.

2. Do one of the following:

To select a different script, click Custom Script, then click Browse and select the new script.

To edit a script, click Edit. The script opens in your default editor. Make your changes there.

To test the script, click Run Now.

To disable the running of a script, clear the Use Script check box.

3. Click Apply to save your settings.

Shrinking Virtual Disks with VMware Tools

The Shrink tab gives you access to the controls you need if you wish to reclaim unused space in a virtual disk.

In some configurations, it is not possible to shrink virtual disks. If your virtual machine uses such a configuration, the Shrink tab displays information explaining why you cannot shrink your virtual disks.

For more information about shrinking virtual disks, see Defragmenting and Shrinking Virtual Disks.

Viewing Information About VMware Tools

For general information about VMware Tools, click the About tab.

In addition to copyright information, this tab contains the following information:

The VMware Tools build number, which lets you verify your VMware Tools version matches the GSX Server version you are running. The build number is also useful when you request support.

An indication as to whether or not the VMware Tools service is running.

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