Creating a Virtual Machine

Introduction

Welcome to your first lesson in this series on Linux. If you are using Linux already, please feel free to move on to the next lesson. In this lesson, you will learn how to setup your Microsoft Windows operating system and MacOS, so that you can start using one of the many Linux operating system distributions.

Note: If you are using a M1 Mac, you will need to follow the instructions to install VMware for M1/M2 chip found here: https://www.kali.org/docs/virtualization/install-vmware-silicon-host/

Tools:

You will be required to download and install VMware’s Workstation Player (Free version) or VMware Workstation Pro (Paid version).
The difference between these two programs is vast. Workstation Pro allows the user to setup virtual networks all within one program. Where Workstation Player only allows one virtual machine at a time. For this series, Workstation Player is good enough.

Needed Software:

  • VMware Workstation Player
  • Ubuntu Desktop

System Requirements:

  • 2 GHz dual-core processor or better
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 25 GB of free disk space
  • Internet access is useful

Note: On Windows you can check your system requirements by going to the Start Menu and typing in “System Information”. You will see a window pop up with a lot of information. Scroll down to the “System Summary” section and you will see the information listed above.

Downloading Software


Downloading VMware Workstation Player or Fusion

  1. Please download and install the appropriate version for your operating system.
  2. Save the file to your computer
  3. Double click the file to install the program
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation

Next, You will need to download the Ubuntu Desktop operating system.

Downloading Linux

  1. Create a folder in your Documents directory called “Linux” or something similar.
  2. Go to ubuntu.com and download the latest version of Ubuntu Desktop.
  3. Save the file to your Linux folder

Creating the Virtual Machine


Windows OS

  1. Open VMware Workstation Player
  2. Next, You will create a new Virtual Machine by click on “Create a New Virtual Machine”
  3. Select Custom (advanced) and click Next
  4. On this screen you will keep default settings and click Next
  5. Make sure “I want to install the operating system later” is selected and click Next
  6. Select Linux, then from the drop down menu select Ubuntu 64-bit and click Next
  7. Give your virtual machine a name (I suggest using Ubuntu), keep the default install location. Once complete, click Next
  8. The next screen will allow you to select the processor settings. I suggest selecting 2 processors and 1 core processor. Once complete, click Next Note: Do not go crazy here. You do not need to select 8 processors and 8 cores. This will only slow down your computer or worse case, crash your computer.
  9. This screen will allow you to select the amount of RAM you want to allocate to your virtual machine. I suggest selecting 4GB of RAM. Once complete, click Next

    10. Note: Do not go crazy here. You do not need to select 16GB of RAM. This will only slow down your computer or worse case, crash your computer.

  10. Select NAT for the network connection and click Next
  11. I/O controller type should be LSI Logic, and click Next
  12. Disk type should be SCSI and click Next
  13. Select “Create a new virtual disk” and click Next
  14. The next screen will allow you to select the amount of disk space you want to allocate to your virtual machine. I suggest selecting 25GB of disk space. Also, select “store virtual disk in single file”. Once complete, click Next
  15. Keep the default name of the vmdk file and click Next
  16. Now select “Customize Hardware”.
    1. Click on Processors and place a check mark next to the following
      • Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
      • Virtualize CPU performance counters
      • Virtualize IOMMU (IO Memory Management Unit)
    2. Click on “New CD/DVD (SCSI)” and select “Use ISO image file” and click on the folder icon to select the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier.
    3. Select Close and click Finish
  17. Now you will need to start your virtual machine. Click on the green play button to start your virtual machine.
  18. When the virtual machine starts, you will see a screen that says “Install Ubuntu”. Click on the “Install Ubuntu” button.
  19. Select your language and click Continue
  20. Make sure Normal Installation is selected, Download updates while installing Ubuntu is selected, and Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats is selected. Once complete, click Continue
  21. Pick erase disk and install Ubuntu and click Install Now
  22. Click Continue
  23. Select your location and click Continue
  24. Fill out your Name, username, and password. Once complete, click Continue
  25. Your operating system will now install. This may take a few minutes.
  26. Once complete, click Restart Now
  27. It will tell you to remove the installation media. Do not worry about this step.
  28. Once your virtual machine restarts, follow the prompts to setup your Ubuntu operating system.

Your Ubuntu operating system is now installed.

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Creating the Virtual Machine


MacOS

  1. Open VMware Fusion
  2. Drag the Ubuntu ISO file to the VMware Fusion window and click Continue
  3. Select legacy BIOS and click Continue
  4. It will automatically pick the correct settings for you. Click Finish
  5. A new window will open. Name the virtual machine Ubuntu and click Save
  6. Your virtual machine will start automatically
  7. Now you will need to start your virtual machine. Click on the green play button to start your virtual machine.
  8. When the virtual machine starts, you will see a screen that says “Install Ubuntu”. Click on the “Install Ubuntu” button
  9. Select your language and click Continue
  10. Make sure Normal Installation is selected, Download updates while installing Ubuntu is selected, and Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats is selected. Once complete, click Continue
  11. Pick erase disk and install Ubuntu and click Install NowClick Continue
  12. Select your location and click Continue
  13. Fill out your Name, username, and password. Once complete, click Continue
  14. Your operating system will now install. This may take a few minutes
  15. Once complete, click Restart Now
  16. It will tell you to remove the installation media. Do not worry about this step
  17. Once your virtual machine restarts, follow the prompts to setup your Ubuntu operating system

Your Ubuntu operating system is now installed.

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Lesson 1

Designed by William Cox