VMware 571779-B21 User Guide - Page 10

VMware Tools Service, Connect or Disconnect a Virtual Device - server

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VMware Tools Configuration Utility User's Guide VMware Tools Service The VMware Tools service starts when the guest operating system boots. The service passes information between host and guest. This program, which runs in the background, is called vmtoolsd.exe in Windows guests, vmware-tools-daemon in Mac guests, and vmtoolsd in Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris guests. The VMware Tools service performs the following tasks: n Passes messages from the host to the guest operating system. n Runs scripts that help automate guest operating system operations. The scripts run when the power state of the virtual machine changes. n Synchronizes the time in the guest operating system with the time on the host. n In Windows guests, allows the pointer to move freely between the guest and host. n In Windows guests, fits the screen resolution of the guest to the screen resolution of the host. n In Windows guests, helps create the quiesced snapshots used by certain backup applications. This feature applies to ESX/ESXi and VMware Server. n In Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD guests, executes commands in the virtual machine when you shut down or restart the guest operating system. n Is one of the processes that sends a heartbeat to the VMware product to indicate that the guest operating system is running. When the virtual machine runs under ESX/ESXi, or VMware Server, a gauge for this heartbeat appears in the management interface. n Provides support for guest-bound calls created with the VMware VIX API. NOTE In Mac guests, the VMware Tools service only fits the screen resolution of the guest to the screen resolution of the host. Connect or Disconnect a Virtual Device You can connect and disconnect removable devices such as floppy drives, DVD/CD-ROM drives, ISO images, USB devices, sound adapters, and network adapters. IMPORTANT Note the following restrictions for connecting devices: n Some devices cannot be shared between the host and guest or between two guests. For example, only one virtual machine or the host can access the floppy drive at any one time. n The controls for connecting and disconnecting devices might not be available, depending on whether your system administrator has enabled them. n Audio devices are not supported for virtual machines on ESX/ESXi servers. Prerequisites If you plan to script the commands used in this procedure and need to know what the exit codes are, see "Exit Codes," on page 19. 10 VMware, Inc.

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VMware Tools Service
The VMware Tools service starts when the guest operating system boots. The service passes information
between host and guest.
This program, which runs in the background, is called
vmtoolsd.exe
in Windows guests,
vmware-tools-daemon
in Mac guests, and
vmtoolsd
in Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris guests. The VMware Tools service performs the
following tasks:
n
Passes messages from the host to the guest operating system.
n
Runs scripts that help automate guest operating system operations. The scripts run when the power state
of the virtual machine changes.
n
Synchronizes the time in the guest operating system with the time on the host.
n
In Windows guests, allows the pointer to move freely between the guest and host.
n
In Windows guests, fits the screen resolution of the guest to the screen resolution of the host.
n
In Windows guests, helps create the quiesced snapshots used by certain backup applications. This feature
applies to ESX/ESXi and VMware Server.
n
In Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD guests, executes commands in the virtual machine when you shut down
or restart the guest operating system.
n
Is one of the processes that sends a heartbeat to the VMware product to indicate that the guest operating
system is running. When the virtual machine runs under ESX/ESXi, or VMware Server, a gauge for this
heartbeat appears in the management interface.
n
Provides support for guest-bound calls created with the VMware VIX API.
N
OTE
In Mac guests, the VMware Tools service only fits the screen resolution of the guest to the screen
resolution of the host.
Connect or Disconnect a Virtual Device
You can connect and disconnect removable devices such as floppy drives, DVD/CD-ROM drives, ISO images,
USB devices, sound adapters, and network adapters.
I
MPORTANT
Note the following restrictions for connecting devices:
n
Some devices cannot be shared between the host and guest or between two guests. For example, only one
virtual machine or the host can access the floppy drive at any one time.
n
The controls for connecting and disconnecting devices might not be available, depending on whether your
system administrator has enabled them.
n
Audio devices are not supported for virtual machines on ESX/ESXi servers.
Prerequisites
If you plan to script the commands used in this procedure and need to know what the exit codes are, see
“Exit
Codes,”
on page 19.
VMware Tools Configuration Utility User's Guide
10
VMware, Inc.