Common Linux-based operating system operations

Products

VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article outlines common Linux-based operating system operations that may be required or useful when troubleshooting VMware related issues.

Resolution

Accessing the Command Line

If you are working on a Linux-based operating system configured to use a Desktop Environment, you may be required to open a console manually. The following references may help you open a console:

To access a console from a KDE based environment, see Chapter 4, Programs and Documents in the KDE User Guide.
To access a console from a GNOME based environment, see Getting Started in the GNOME Terminal Manual.

For any other Desktop Environments or Windows Managers, see the applicable third party documentation.

Viewing and Editing Files

The cat command allows you to see the contents of a file at the console. For more information, see Section 3.3.7 Looking at files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The more command is similar to cat, but it pauses at each full screen which can be useful for lengthy files. For more information, see Section 3.3.7 Looking at files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The vi or vim command allows you to edit text files at the console. For more information, see Section 3.13 Using the vi editor in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

Note: If you are editing files in a VMware ESX or ESXi environment, see Editing configuration files in VMware ESX (1017022).

Navigating Filesystems

Linux based filesystems have a similar directory structure. For more information about how Linux filesystems are organized, see Section 3.2.8 The directory tree and Section 3.2.7 Files and Directories in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

The cd command allows you to change directory. For more information, see Section 3.3.7 Looking at files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The ls command allows you to list of the contents of the directory. For more information, see Section 3.3.7 Looking at files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

Managing Files and Directories

The mkdir command allows you to create directories. For more information, see Section 3.3.3 Creating new directories in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The cp command allows you to copy files and directories. For more information, see Section 3.3.4 Copying files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The mv command allows you to move files and directories. For more information, see Section 3.3.5 Moving files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The rm command allows you to remove files and directories. For more information, see Section 3.3.6 Deleting files in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

Managing Filesystem Permissions

For a full description of file and directory permissions for Linux filesystems and operating systems, see Section 3.10 File Permissions in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

The chmod command allows you to change permissions of files and directories. For more information, see Section 3.10.4 Changing Permissions in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

Managing Services

For a description how to start, stop, or restart services in Linux based operating systems, see Section 9.3 Starting and Stopping Processes in the Various & Sundry Administrative Tasks chapter of Linux Administration Made Easy.

Managing Partitions

For more information about partitioning a storage device in a Linux based operating system, see Linux Partition HOWTO. The primary tool for partitioning disks within a linux environment is the fdisk tool. For more information on how to use fdisk, see the Partitioning with fdisk chapter of the Linux Partition HOWTO.

Monitoring File Access

For more information about monitoring for files in-use, see Section 7.1.5 System Resources in the The Linux System Administration Guide.

Monitoring System Resources

For more information about monitoring the system resources such as CPU, memory, disk, and network usage, see the System Monitoring chapter of the The Linux System Administration Guide.

Managing Users and Permissions

For a description of how to manage users and groups in a Linux based operating system, see Section 4.6 Managing users in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

The adduser or useradd command allows you to add users. For more information, see Section 4.6.2 Adding Users in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.
The addgroup or groupadd command allows you to add groups. For more information, see Section 4.6.5 Groups in the Linux Tutorial chapter of Linux Installation and Getting Started.

Uploading using FTP

For general information on how to use FTP, see FTP mini-HOWTO.
For information about uploading support logs files to VMware support, see Uploading diagnostic information to VMware (1008525).

Note: The preceding links were available as of May 31. 2010. If you find the links to be broken, provide feedback on the article and a VMware employee will update the article as necessary.

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If you require additional information about Linux, please contact your Operating System vendor.

Additional Information

For information regarding other Operating Systems, see Common Mac OS operations (1022113).