For more information about the VMware Management Interface, go to www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/.


Configuring a Virtual Machine's DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive
Configuring a Virtual Machine's DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive

Each virtual machine can access a physical DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive on the server host or an ISO image file.

To configure an existing DVD/CD-ROM drive, complete the following steps.

  1. In the Hardware page, under DVD/CD-ROM Drive, click Edit. The DVD/CD-ROM Drive page appears.
  2. To connect this virtual machine to the server's DVD/CD-ROM drive, check Connected.

    Note: Only one virtual machine can connect to the DVD/CD-ROM drive on the server at a time.

  3. To connect this virtual machine to the server's DVD/CD-ROM drive when the virtual machine is powered on, check Connect at Power On.
  4. Specify whether to connect to the server's DVD/CD-ROM drive or to an ISO image. In the Device list, select System DVD/CD-ROM Drive or ISO Image.
  5. Enter the location of the drive or ISO image in the Location field. For example, the server's CD-ROM drive could be D: or /dev/cdrom.
  6. To use the client machine's DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive, make sure you are using the physical drive, then check the Client Device check box For more information, see Using the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive on a Client.
  7. Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
Adding a New Virtual DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive
Adding a New Virtual DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive

To add a new virtual DVD/CD-ROM drive to a virtual machine, make sure the virtual machine is powered off, then complete the following steps.

  1. On the Hardware page, click Add Device. The Add Device Wizard starts.
  2. Click DVD/CD-ROM. The cdrom page appears.
  3. To connect this virtual machine to the server's DVD/CD-ROM drive when the virtual machine is powered on, check Connect at Power On.
  4. Specify whether to connect to the server's DVD/CD-ROM drive or to an ISO image. In the Device list, select System DVD/CD-ROM Drive or ISO Image.
  5. Enter the location of the drive or ISO image in the Location field. For example, the server's CD-ROM drive could be D: or /dev/cdrom.
  6. To use the client machine's DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive, make sure you are using the physical drive, then check the Client Device check box For more information, see Using the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive on a Client.
  7. Click OK to add the drive.
Using the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive on a Client
Using the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive on a Client

When you use the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a remote client to connect to a virtual machine, you have the option of using the optical drive on the client machine instead of the drive on the server. This is a convenient way of installing software remotely if you don't have access to the host.

To use a client machine's DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive, make sure you are using the physical drive. Next to Location, select Client.

All virtual machine settings — like using legacy emulation and exclusive connections — apply except that a CD-ROM drive on a client cannot start connected.

If you want to boot the virtual machine from the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive in a client system, complete the following steps.

  1. When you first begin booting the guest operating system, press the Esc key. A boot menu appears.
  2. In the management interface, edit the DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive in the virtual machine's hardware page. Select the physical drive in the Device list, then check the Client Device check box.
  3. Return to the boot menu in the guest operating system. Select the CD-ROM drive, then press Enter to boot the virtual machine from the CD-ROM drive of the client on which you are running the VMware Virtual Machine Console.