VMware (All Versions): Installing VMware on a Dual-Processor System

Support knowledgebase (mwalter_vmware_gsx)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Versions since 7.2
Kernel: Versions since 2.4.x
VMware: Version 2.x, 3.x

Symptom

When executing the installation script 'vmware-config.pl', an error message similar to the following one is displayed:

.././linux/hostif.c:109: #error "64GB memory configuration is not supported." 

Cause

An SMP kernel with 64GB main memory support is installed in your system, but the VMware kernel allocates a memory area no bigger than 4 GB. Therefore, a PAE (Physical Address Extension) with a value of 64 GB is not compatible with VMware.

Solution

Please install the kernel image k_psmp, compiled WITHOUT PAE support.

Alternative method (if there is no ready kernel package at hand):
Please compile the kernel with deactivated PAE functionality. Make sure that the package 'kernel-source' has already been installed in your system, and that your user has root permissions. Please change to the kernel sources directory with the following command:

# cd /usr/src/linux

In order to modify single kernel functionalities, please enter:

# make menuconfig

Select the following menu item first:

> Processor type and features <

and then:

> High Memory Support <

Enter 4GB. Now the actual compiling process takes place:

# make dep
# make modules
# make modules_install
# make bzlilo

The two commands at the end are necessary only if you load the kernel modules via an initial ramdisk:

# mk_initrd
# lilo
Finally reboot by entering:
# reboot

Now you should be able to execute the installation script 'vmware-config.pl' without any difficulty.

Please note that we cannot provide free of charge installation support for kernel compilation.


Keywords: VMWARE, GSX, KERNEL, SMP, PAE

Categories: Commercial Applications

SDB-mwalter_vmware_gsx, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 11. Jun 2001
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 07. Jun 2002 by pohletz (sdb_gen 1.40.0)