Run UBOS in an x86_64 VMWare Workstation virtual machine

/docs/linux/installation/x86_vmware/

To run UBOS in a VMWare Workstation virtual machine on x86_64, follow these instructions. Not counting download times, this should take no more than 10 minutes to set up. These instructions are the same regardless of the operating system that VMWare Workstation runs on.

Note

There is separate documentation for how to run UBOS in an ARM aarch64 VMWare Fusion Desktop virtual machine.

  1. Download VMWare Workstation and install it if you haven’t already. It appears it is now available free of charge.

    Note: on some Linux versions, like Arch, VMWare Workstation may be available through package repositories, which might make installation and management easier.

  2. Download a UBOS boot image from the Depot. Images for VMware on x86_64 are at depot.ubosfiles.net/green/x86_64/images/index.html. Look for a file named ubos_green_aarch64-vmware_LATEST.vmdk.xz.

  3. Optionally, you may now verify that your image downloaded correctly by following Verify your downloaded UBOS image.

  4. Uncompress the downloaded file. This depends on your operating system, but might be as easy as double-clicking it, or executing

    % xz -d ubos_green_x86_64-vmware_LATEST.vmdk.xz

    on the command line.

  5. In VMWare Workstation, create a new virtual machine:

    • In menu “File”, select “New Virtual Machine”.

    • In “Virtual Machine Configuration”, select “Custom (advanced)”. Click “Next”.

    • In “Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility”, leave everything unchanged. Click “Next”.

    • In “Install operating system from:”, select “I will install the operating system later.” Click “Next”.

    • In “Guest Operating System”, select “2. Linux”. Click “Next”.

    • In “Virtual Machine Name”, enter a name for the virtual machine, such as “UBOS (green)”. Accept the default for “Location”. Click “Next”.

    • In “Processors”, leave the defaults unchanged. Click “Next”.

    • In “Memory”, select the amount of RAM you want to give it. 1024MB is a good start, and you can change that later. Click “Next”.

    • In “Network Connection”, select “Use network address translation (NAT)”. Click “Next”.

    • In “I/O Controller Types”, leave the recommended default unchanged. Click “Next”.

    • In “Virtual Disk Type”, leave the recommended default unchanged. Click “Next”.

    • In “Disk”, select “Use an existing virtual disk”. Click “Next”.

    • In “Existing Disk File”, select the file that you downloaded and decompressed earlier. Click “Next”.

    • If there is a Question “Convert existing virtual disk to newer format?”, select “Keep Existing Format”.

    • On the next screen that summarizes the settings, click “Finish”.

    • If there is a page that talks about “Install the Guest Operating System” and “Install VMware Tools”, click “Close”.

    • Before you start your virtual machine, click on “Edit virtual machine settings” because UBOS wants to boot using UEFI, not the legacy boot.

      • Select the tab “Options”.

      • In the table on the left, select “Advanced”.

      • In the pane to the right, section “Firmware type”, select “UEFI”.

      • Click “Save”.

  6. In the main window, click “Start this guest operating system”. The virtual machine should now be booting.

  7. When the boot process is finished, log in as user root. For password, see I need root.

  8. Now: wait. UBOS needs to generate a few cryptographic keys before it is ready to use and initialize a few other things on the first boot. That might take a few minutes. To determine whether UBOS ready, execute:

    % systemctl is-system-running

  9. Check that your virtual UBOS PC has acquired an IP address:

    % ip addr

    Make sure you are connected to the internet before attempting to proceed.

  10. Update UBOS to the latest and greatest:

    % sudo ubos-admin update

  11. You are now ready for Setting up your first Site and App.