How to Install Open-VM Tools on Ubuntu 24.04: A Guide for Server and Desktop VMs

If you’re using Ubuntu 24.04 in a VMware environment, installing Open-VM Tools is essential to enhance performance and ensure seamless integration. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process for both server and desktop VMs. Let’s get started!

What Are Open-VM Tools?

Open-VM Tools is the open-source implementation of VMware Tools. It improves the performance of virtual machines (VMs) and provides useful features like better graphics, shared folders, and time synchronization. Installing Open-VM Tools ensures that your Ubuntu environment runs efficiently, whether it’s a server or desktop configuration.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A running instance of Ubuntu 24.04.
• Root or sudo access to your VM.
• An active internet connection.

How to Install Open-VM Tools on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your package list to ensure all software is up to date.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates your package list and installs any available upgrades.

Step 2: Install Open-VM Tools

Open-VM Tools is available in the official Ubuntu repositories. Use the following commands based on your VM type:

For Desktop VMs

If you are running a desktop version of Ubuntu, install both the core tools and the desktop enhancements:

sudo apt install open-vm-tools open-vm-tools-desktop -y

For Server VMs

For server environments, the core tools are usually sufficient:

sudo apt install open-vm-tools -y

In server environments, the open-vm-tools package is sufficient as it provides the essential functionalities without the desktop enhancements.

Step 3: Start and Enable Open-VM Tools Service

After installation, start the Open-VM Tools service and enable it to run at boot.

sudo systemctl start open-vm-tools
sudo systemctl enable open-vm-tools

The first command starts the service immediately, and the second ensures it runs automatically at boot.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

To check that Open-VM Tools is running correctly, use the following command:

sudo systemctl status open-vm-tools

Look for “active (running)” in the output to confirm that the service is functioning properly.

Step 5: Configure Shared Folders

If you want to set up shared folders between your host and guest OS, follow these steps:

1. Create a Shared Folder on the Host:
   • On your host machine, create a folder to share, e.g., VMShared.
2. Configure the VM Settings in VMware:
   • Go to your VM settings in VMware.
   • Navigate to Options > Shared Folders.
   • Enable shared folders and add the folder you created on the host.
3. Mount the Shared Folder on Ubuntu: To access the shared folder, create a mount point and mount it:

sudo mkdir /mnt/hgfs
sudo mount -t hgfs .host:/ /mnt/hgfs

The first command creates a mount point, and the second mounts the shared folder.

Step 6: Reboot Your VM

To ensure all changes take effect, reboot your Ubuntu VM:

sudo reboot

This step applies all the configurations and services properly.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Open-VM Tools on your Ubuntu 24.04 virtual machine, optimizing your environment for better performance. Whether you’re using it for server or desktop applications, this setup provides enhanced functionality and integration.