How to Install openSUSE Leap 15 (15.4) on VMware Workstation 17

In this article, we will examine how to set up and configure openSUSE Leap 15 (15.4) on a new virtual machine using VMware Workstation 17 Pro virtualization software on the Windows 10 operating system without the need for a physical PC.

How to Run and Use openSUSE Leap 15 (15.4) on a Virtual Machine using VMware Workstation 17

The latest version of the SUSE project openSUSE initiated by Germany, Leap 15.4, was released for download to users on June 9, 2022. This version will receive updates and support until December 1, 2023.

If you are a professional Linux user or have basic knowledge and want to gain experience, there are different operating systems, such as openSUSE. Most users can use one of several distributions as per their own judgment or company policies.

The version of openSUSE that gets instant updates instead of Leap is called Tumbleweed. This system type does not contain system versions like Leap and is critical for system stability. However, some users or software developers may prefer Tumbleweed.

Home users generally prefer the Leap system type because the system updates released are moderated and published by the community. In this case, the Leap version is a more stable system than Tumbleweed in terms of system stability.

You can install the openSUSE Linux distribution on a physical computer with an x86 or x64 architecture processor, or you can install it on a virtual machine. As we said, if you are an entry-level user of Linux, you can gain more experience by using Linux distributions such as openSUSE in virtualization software.

How to Create a New Virtual Machine for openSUSE Leap

You can create a new virtual computer by running VMware Workstation Pro, which is an excellent virtualization technology, in order to use openSUSE Linux virtually on your computer.

Step 1

After opening the VMware Workstation software, you will see three options in the user interface. Here, you can choose to create a new virtual machine and import an existing installed VM.

Since you will prepare a guest operating system from scratch, click on Create a New Virtual Machine from the available options and click on Custom (Advanced) to create a more professional virtual computer in the wizard that opens.

Step 2

When the virtual machine compatibility window opens, make sure you select the version of the VMware software installed on your system and then click Next.

Step 3

You can add an ISO file to the guest operating system directly from this window or continue by inserting the installation media into your host’s CD/DVD drive. But to create a more advanced virtual computer, select I will install the operating system later and click Next.

Step 4

You must first select the platform and then the version of the operating system you will install. Select Linux from the Guest OS properties, choose OpenSUSE 64-bit from the distributions listed in the version section, and click Next.

Step 5

For the VM name, type the full name and version of the SUSE distribution, and also configure the location to install it.

Step 6

In the processor configuration, set the number of virtual cores in accordance with the CPU brand and model of your host computer and continue.

Step 7

In order for the SUSE virtual machine to work more efficiently, determine the maximum amount of memory in accordance with the RAM capacity of your host PC. If you have 16 GB of RAM on your PC, the recommended amount of memory will be higher.

Step 8

You can select an appropriate adapter type to add your SUSE virtual computer to your local network. You can go with the NAT adapter type by default.

Step 9

Select the default I/O controller types you will use for SCSI disks and continue.

Step 10

For optimum performance for your SUSE virtual PC, select NVMe for the virtual disk type and click Next.

Step 11

Since you are going to install openSUSE from scratch, select the Create a new virtual disk option from the virtual disk configuration settings and click Next.

Step 12

Set the openSUSE virtual disk size based on your personal use and choose to backup the file as the only file type.

Step 13

Do not change the location of the VMDK virtual disk file to be created. This virtual disk file will be created in the area where you will install the VM.

Step 14

Click Customize Hardware further to configure the virtual hardware settings of the openSUSE VM.

Step 15

Click Processors from the hardware settings of the virtual PC and open its properties. Tick all the options in the Virtualization Engine section. You can also change the number of virtual processors and cores in this window.

• Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI
• Virtualize CPU Performance Counters
• Virtualize IOMMU (IO Memory Management Unit)

Step 16

To add the openSUSE Leap 15.4 ISO file to the VM you prepared, select the CD/DVD device and then enable Use ISO Image File. Click Browse, select the image file you downloaded to your PC from the pop-up window, and open it.

You can download the installation media for the latest version of the openSUSE Linux distribution by visiting the website https://get.opensuse.org/leap/.

Step 17

You can transfer files faster using your USB 3. x devices in your SUSE virtual system. Note that if you set the USB compatibility setting to 3.1, you can also use your 2.0 devices.

Step 18

If you want to use 3D graphics applications on your virtual computer, enable 3D graphics acceleration in the Display device settings, configure the graphics memory in a size that your PC can support, and turn off the hardware settings.

Step 19

After preparing the openSUSE VM in detail, check the hardware settings for the last time and click Finish to close the VM wizard.

Step 20

Run your virtual computer to set up your system with the ISO file you added to the VM you prepared.

How to Install openSUSE

When you start your virtual computer, the SUSE boot menu will open. When the installation wizard starts, you can install your system or upgrade your current system version to the current version.

Step 1

In the openSUSE Leap 15.4 boot menu, press Enter the Installation option and wait for the Linux kernel to load.

Step 2

Wait while the essential drivers for SUSE are loaded.

Step 3

After the primary drivers are installed, wait while the network configuration wizard determines the network devices, driver information, and device status.

Step 4

Accept the license agreement of the SUSE operating system and select your system language and keyboard layout.

Step 5

Wait while the hardware devices of the virtual computer are determined, and when the Online Repositories window opens, click Yes to define the resources for your system.

Step 6

Check the online repo addresses and add any other resources you want to add.

Step 7

Select a desktop environment you want to use in your virtual system. You can choose KDE, GNOME, or Xfce from the desktop environments.

Step 8

Since you set up a system from scratch in the disk configuration section, you can use the automatically set partitions for your blank disk. If you are an expert user or if you are going to set up a dual-boot system, you can proceed with the Expert Partitioner option.

Step 9

In order for the clock of your virtual system to be appropriately configured, select the region you live in from the map and continue.

Step 10

In the local user section, type the full name and username of your new username and set a strong password. If the password you set is straightforward, you have to confirm it in the YaST2 information window.

Step 11

Check the settings you made in the last step of the installation wizard and click the Install button.

Step 12

Wait while the SUSE system files and necessary packages are loaded.

Step 13

After the necessary packages are installed, restart your system and click openSUSE Leap 15.4 in the boot menu.

Step 14

After installing openSUSE in VMware Workstation, you will encounter the GNOME desktop environment when your system boots up.

How to Install VMware Tools

When you make an installation without an internet connection, VMware Tools will not be installed automatically, and you will not be able to use your virtual machine in full-screen resolution. Also, you will not be able to use hardware such as a USB or a Webcam.

Step 1

When VMware Tools is not installed automatically, the system resolution in the image below will be low.

Step 2

To install VMware Tools on your openSUSE system, open the terminal and execute the command “sudo zypper install open-vm-tools-desktop,” type your root password, and press Y and Enter to confirm the operation.

sudo zypper install open-vm-tools-desktopCopy

If you are running SUSE on a running physical server, you can enable and start the VMware Tools services and check the current status of the services using the commands below.

systemctl enable vmtoolsd.service
systemctl start vmtoolsd.service
systemctl status vmtoolsd.serviceCopy

Step 3

After installing the virtual machine drivers, restart your system with the “sudo reboot” command and check that you can use your VM in full-screen resolution.

Step 4

If VMware Tools services are running smoothly, you can drag and drop a file or document from your host PC to your VM.

You can also copy documents or text with the CTRL + C shortcut and paste them into your VM using the CTRL + Shift + V hotkeys.

How to Configure Shared Folder

You can transfer files between host and VM faster by using Shared Folder, a great feature of VMware Workstation software.

Step 1

Click VM / Settings from the VMware tool menu and open the guest system’s settings. Select Shared Folders from the settings in the Options tab and enable the Folder Sharing setting as Always Enabled.

You can open the wizard by clicking the Add button in the Folders section and selecting a shared folder on your host.

Step 2

Click Browse in the Host Path window, and in the window that opens, create and select a shared folder on the desktop or any location on your host system.

Step 3

Check the Enable This Share option from the Shared Folder Attributes section and click Finish.

Step 4

Go to mnt/hgfs/openSUSESharedFolder from your SUSE system and create a folder within the folder. View the folder you created on your host PC and check its contents.

Step 5

The shared folder may not work when you restart your openSUSE guest system, so run the command below in the terminal to enable it again.

sudo mount -t fuse.vmhgfs-fuse .host:/ /mnt/hgfs -o allow_otherCopy

Step 6

To permanently activate the Shared Folder structure every time you start your system, execute the “sudo nano /etc/fstab” command in the terminal, type the command below in the /etc/fstab file, and press CTRL + X / Y / Enter to save the file.

sudo nano /etc/fstab
.host:/openSUSESharedFolder /mnt/hgfs/openSUSESharedFolder fuse.vmhgfs-fuse allow_otherCopy

How to Use USB Flash Memory

By connecting your USB flash memory or storage devices to your virtual machine, you can have more disk space or transfer your files with massive file sizes.

Step 1

Plug a USB 3.x compatible flash memory into one of your host’s USB ports and create a folder named Backup in its content.

Step 2

To connect your USB to your VM, click VM / Removable Devices / Name of your USB / Connect from the VMware tool menu.

If the Connect option is grayed out / inactive, as in the image below, you need to edit your VMX file.

Step 3

Turn off your guest system, go to the location where it is installed, change the value in the VMX file (USB.restrictions.defaultAllow = “FALSE” ) to TRUE, and save the file.

Step 4

Rerun your virtual PC, and you will see that you can connect your USB stick to your VM this time.

Step 5

When your USB flash drive is automatically mounted, you can see the folder named Backup that you created in it.

   Video

Installing Old Versions

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing openSUSE Leap 15 (15.4) with VMware Workstation 17 Pro offers a great opportunity. Additionally, this process is ideal for both professional Linux users and beginners. Users can create a stable virtual machine by following the steps in this article.

So they can experience Linux without needing a physical PC. However, openSUSE Leap or Tumbleweed offers versatility and stability. As a result, it caters to different user needs. Whether for personal or professional use, virtualizing openSUSE with VMware is beneficial.

For Linux enthusiasts, this is both a rewarding and educational endeavor.