This is critical because in order to make easy clipboard data transfers between the guest VMs to from each other or the host,. one has to have VMware Tools running. Less important, with it running, you can move your cursor on and off the VM window containing your Ubuntu session without having to hit Control-Alt to release it.

Oddly enough, this is a bit harder on from a Linux guest, because the files are in a ISO containing a tarball.

First, in the main VMware Server console, go to VM in the main menu and select Install VMware Tools.

When you select it, a directory window will open to the content of a virtual .iso .Double-click the tar.gz file; a new folder called vmware-tools-distrib will appear. Drag the drop the directory anywhere convenient.

# cd vmware-tools-distrib
# ./vmware-install.pl

Hit the <ENTER> key every time it asks you to choose a directory path, If you chose to install VMware Server to somewhere other than the defaults, you're on your own.

Create the desktop icon right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Create Launcher." Leave Menu set to "Application" and fill in Name: VMware Tools. The command needs to be /usr/bin/vmware-toolbox. Click OK.

To run VMware tools, click on your new icon, set anything appropriate, and minimize. You'll want to run it whenever you have your VM running.

Next: Troubleshooting »