VMware tools in 13.1 - Any hints / pro's / con's
 

Hi All,

I recently installed a 13.1 x64 on an ESXi server. I use it mainly as a (cheap) fileserver via samba, so I will probably seldom use the console.

I haven't got VMWare tools installed;

Questions:
Do I need them?
What are the caveats?
How to install them ( no sbopkg listed )

I could find some threads about 12.1 and older, but how is this in the 'recent' versions?
( http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...0/#post3223226 )


host:
ESXi 4.1.0
guest:
Slackware 13.1 x64 (full installation, very vanilla).

It's up to you.
 

You don't need to install vmware tools if you don't want to. In my experience, the tools help in making keyboard and mouse interactions smoother when interacting with the VM through a gui tool, such as vSphere Client. If you're primarily ssh-ing to a terminal in your VMs, you really don't need the tools.

I have an ESXi 4.1 server with all VMs running Slackware64 13.1 or Slackware 13.1 and VMWare tools. Installation goes smoothly with any kernel up to 2.6.37.

Any special hints? Or just follow the VMWare installer? As I said: It's Slackware64 13.1 in it's most vanilla way. In a non Linux environment (win Vista mainly) I noticed I open the ESXi console alot, where I have to release the cursor again and again.. since VMWare tools aren't installed.

No special hints. Just follow the installer though it is up to you as to the paths where the installer wants to install the tools. I usually install to /usr/local out of personal preference but I think the default goes to /usr.

If you are using vSphere client a lot (I use it in Win7 occasionally), then you may want to install VMWare Tools. I did forget to mention that Tools does help with communications between the Host and VM machines for things such as power actions (Reset, suspend, power off)...