Clear Linux* OS on VMware* Workstation Player (pre-configured image)

This page explains how to deploy a pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image on VMware Workstation 14 Player.

Overview

VMware Workstation 14 Player is a type 2 hypervisor. For example, it runs on top of Windows* or Linux* operating system. With VMware ESXi, you can create, configure, manage, and run Clear Linux* OS VMs on your local system.

Note

Screenshots in this document show VMware Workstation 14 Player for Windows. Menus and prompts in the Linux version have minor wording differences.

Install the VMware Workstation Player hypervisor

1. Enable Intel® VT and Intel® VT-d in your system’s BIOS.

2. VMware Workstation 14 Player is available for Windows and Linux. Download your preferred version.

3. Depending on which OS you’re running, install it by following one of these instructions:

   • On supported Linux distros:

     1. Enable a GUI desktop.

     2. Start a terminal emulator.

     3. Start the installer by issuing the command below and following the guided steps.

        sudo sh ./VMware-Player-[version number].x86_64.bundle
        

   • On Windows:

     1. Start the installer.
     2. Follow the setup wizard.

For additional help, see the VMware Workstation Player Documentation.

Download the latest Clear Linux OS VMware image

Get the latest Clear Linux OS VMware image from the image repository. Look for clear-[version number]-vmware.vmdk.xz. You can also use this command:

curl -O https://cdn.download.clearlinux.org/image/$(curl https://cdn.download.clearlinux.org/image/latest-images | grep vmware)

Decompress and verify the image

Visit Download, verify, and decompress a Clear Linux* OS image and follow the instructions for your Windows* or Linux* environment. Visit Clear Linux* OS image types for additional information about all available Clear Linux OS images.

Create and configure a new VM

1. Start the VMware Workstation Player app.

2. On the home screen, click Create a New Virtual Machine. See figure 1.

   

   Figure 1: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Create a new virtual machine

3. On the Welcome to the New Virtual Machine Wizard screen, select the I will install the operating system later option. See figure 2.

   

   Figure 2: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Select install operating system later.

4. Click the Next button.

5. On the Select a Guest Operating System screen, set the Guest operating system setting to Linux. See figure 3.

   

   Figure 3: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Select guest operating system type

6. Set Version setting to Other Linux 3.x or later kernel 64-bit.

7. Click the Next button.

8. On the Name the Virtual Machine screen, give your new VM a name. See figure 4.

   

   Figure 4: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Name virtual machine

9. Click the Next button.

10. On the Specify Disk Capacity screen, click the Next button. Keep the default disk settings unchanged. When we attach the pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image, we will remove the default virtual disk and replace it with the pre-configured one. See figure 5.

    

    Figure 5: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Set disk capacity

11. On the Ready to Create Virtual Machine screen, click the Customize Hardware… button. See figure 6.

    

    Figure 6: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Customize hardware

12. Under the Device list, select Processors. See figure 7.

    

    Figure 7: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Set virtualization engine option

13. Under the Virtualization engine section, check Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI.

14. To disconnect the virtual CD/DVD (IDE) since it is not needed, under the Device list, select New CD/DVD (IDE). See figure 8.

    

    Figure 8: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Disconnect CD/DVD (IDE)

15. Under the Device status section, uncheck Connect at power on.

16. Click the Close button.

17. Click the Finish button.

Attach the pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image

1. Move the downloaded and decompressed pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image file clear-[version number]-basic.vmdk to the directory where your newly-created VM resides.

   Note

   Depending on the OS, you can typically find the VMware VM files under:

   • On Linux distros: /home/username/vmware
   • On Windows: C:UsersusernameDocumentsVirtual Machines

2. On the VMware Workstation Player home screen, select your newly-created VM. See figure 9.

   

   Figure 9: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Edit virtual machine settings

3. Click Edit virtual machine settings.

4. To remove the default hard disk, under the Device list, select Hard Disk (SCSI). See figure 10.

   

   Figure 10: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Remove hard drive

5. Click the Remove button.

6. To add a new hard disk and attach the pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image, click the Add… button. See Figure 11.

   

   Figure 11: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Add new hard drive

7. Under the Hardware types section, select Hard Disk.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select your preferred Virtual disk type. See figure 12.

   

   Figure 12: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Select virtual disk type

10. Select the Use an existing virtual disk option. See figure 13.

    

    Figure 13: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Use existing virtual disk

11. Click the Browse button and select the pre-configured Clear Linux OS VMware image file. See figure 14.

    

    Figure 14: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Select ready-made VMware Clear Linux OS image file

12. Click the Finish button.

    Note

    When asked to convert the existing virtual disk to a newer format, selecting either option works.

Enable UEFI boot support

Clear Linux OS needs UEFI support to boot. To enable it, add the following line to the end of your VM’s .vmx file:

firmware = "efi"

Note

Depending on the OS, you can typically find the VMware VM files under:

• On Linux distros: /home/username/vmware
• On Windows: C:\Users\username\Documents\Virtual Machines

Power on the VM

After configuring the settings above, power on your Clear Linux OS virtual machine.

1. On the VMware Workstation Player home screen, select your VM. See figure 15.

   

   Figure 15: VMware Workstation 14 Player - Power on virtual machine

2. Click Play virtual machine.

Related topics

For other guides on using the VMWare Player and ESXi, see:

• Clear Linux* OS on VMware* Workstation Player
• Clear Linux* OS on VMware* ESXi
• Clear Linux* OS on VMware* ESXi (pre-configured image)