Linux: Gentoo kernel configuration of installation as guest OS on ESXi

Kernel Configuration

Warning: The LSI Logic drivers in the 2.6.19+ kernel do not work with VMware. Set your SCSI type to BusLogic instead. (Please note the exception for VMWare Workstion 6.x below)
Note: The LSI Logic drivers in VMWare Workstation 6.x correspond with the Fusion MPT drivers (available in 2.6.24), see below

For this section we assume you are using a 2.6.x kernel. To start configuration:

# cd /usr/src/linux
# make menuconfig

Now enable the following options:

  • VMware Tools uses kernel loadable module support to load and unload its driver(s).
Linux Kernel Configuration: kernel loadable module support
Loadable module support  --->
  [*] Enable loadable module support
  [*]   Module unloading
  [*]   Automatic kernel module loading

 

Processor

Linux Kernel Configuration: Processor Support
Processor type and features  --->
  [*] Symmetric multi-processing support
  (2)   Maximum number of CPUs (2-255)
  [*]   SMT (Hyperthreading) scheduler support

 

   Timer frequency (100 HZ) --->
        (X) 100 HZ

 

 

SCSI Controller

VMware BusLogic SCSI Support:

Linux Kernel Configuration: VMware SCSI adapter
Device Drivers  --->
  SCSI device support  ---> ** Turn off EVERYTHING under here besides what is shown below **
     <*> SCSI disk support
         SCSI low-level drivers  --->
            <*> BusLogic SCSI support

 

Or

VMware LSI Logic SCSI Support in VMWare Workstation 6.x and up:

Linux Kernel Configuration: VMware SCSI adapter
Device Drivers  --->
  SCSI device support  ---> ** Turn off EVERYTHING under here besides what is shown below **
     <*> SCSI disk support
  [*] Fusion MPT device support --->
     <*> Fusion MPT ScsiHost drivers for SPI

Network

VMware supports the Intel e1000 NIC: (Use this for best results)

Linux Kernel Configuration: Network
Device Drivers  --->
  Network Device support  ---> ** Turn off EVERYTHING under here besides what is shown below **
     [*] Network device support
           Ethernet (1000Mbit)  --->
              [*] Intel(R) PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet support

 

Warning: If your VM uses DHCP to receive its IP and you duplicate this VM to create other VM you will hit a duplicate DHCP uid problem. 2 workarounds

  1. add dhcpcd_eth0="-I ''" to /etc/conf.d/net (use the MAC as uid)
  2. or rm all files in /var/lib/dhcpcd/ before copy.

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