Getting Started with VM Ware (free edition)
Initial steps
1. Download vmware converter to the server that you are going to convert
2. Download vmware server latest version 1.0.3 to the server where you are going to add the virtual machine. Also fill in the form for the license keys
Conversion
1. Once you have the vm converter downloaded , install and run the software
2. Follow most of the recommended steps except set the size of the hard disks to the size you want, don't bother configuring the settings for the server you can do that later and select vmware standalone machine in the options
3. Depending on the size it can take up to an hour for the machine to convert.
Note: It will ask you are you sure you want to clone a machine onto itself if you are copying a host system. Just select yes
4. FTP the files if you need to the host server
Vmware server:
1. Install the vmware server software. Set all defaults
2. Once it is loaded you don't need to do anything else once the converted machine is on the hard drive.
3. Find the converted server files and double click on the converted .vmx file (the file will only be about 4kb)
4. This will start the vmserver
5. Before you start the new virtual machine go to VM - settings . Set the memory to the recommended amount, set the processors to one.
6.Start the machine
7. Once the machine is started the mouse will not move well so install the vm tools
8. Go to vm - install tools Once you select this and having the newer version of the vmware server it should auto run. This can take so time to install
9. Once this is installed you need to set the ip address for the site got to Start- admin tools- routing and remote access , Under the server name there should be IP routing and under that general, click general, Then select lan connection ( there should only be one valid one) right click properties select the 2nd top tab configuration , select use the following ip address and then what I would do is select Bridged networking and give the VM the same IP range IP address as the HOST machine Just make sure the IP is not in use ie.
If the host IP Settings are:
IPAddress: 192.168.0.2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Make the VM's IP settings(within the guest OS):
IPAddress: 192.168.0.3
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Select apply , ok and that should sort the networking problem
You now have a virtual machine.
