Converting VMDK files to ISO- launching Linux distro in VMP : Othor Games

» Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:18 pm

Hello forumers,

I am trying to install a distribution of Linux, and upon downloading the image it turns out that it is in the form of many VMDK files, upon a few other types.

I redownloaded over and over again, through a torrent download and regular download, and I then realized that it was proper to have these files.

I've spent a couple hours researching, and I even posted on another forum but was removed as 'non-professional' questions were not the aim of the forum.

So at last I turn to my Bethesda community. Does anyone know how I can convert a list of VMDK files (including the VMware virtual machine configuration) to a single, ISO image?

I launched the VMware virtual machine configuration file, and the distribution launched in VM Player, however it told me that the binary translation was not fully successful and that certain features may not be implemented properly. I couldn't log with the default credentials, so perhaps this is an instance of this mistranslation.

I have experience using ISO files and some experience with Linux, however with VMDK files I have absolutely zero experience.

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers

» Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:49 pm

Which distro do you want to install?

I apologize in advance for not giving you what you were asking for, but:

I wouldn't even try to convert (manually or automatically) a VMDK file to a normal iso file. If you want to have an instantly ready VMware image, than you're set. If not, you should get the regular installer for the distro.

Too much information:

Spoiler

VMware has a lot of non-Linuxy (proprietary) stuff: drivers, config files, file systems, etc. Unless you're running VMware--not Amazon Cloud Service, not Azure, not KVM, just VMware-- you're getting a lot of junk that you don't want. And it might interfere or cause problems on a normal hardware platform. The whole point of VMware (or any similar virtualization platform) is to prevent a layer of abstraction between the hardware and kernel, so a pre-made VMDK file is likely going to be messed up from the point of view of your personal desktop, which will require "custom" drivers for it's hardware. The VMDK image might be missing software that you absolutely need to get a running system.

And note this isn't a Linux vs Windows vs Mac vs whatever thing. Everything I just said would be equally true for every OS.

» Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:15 pm

Hey omphaloskepsis, you brought up many good things to be considered. Cheers.

I am trying to install Kali, as I would like to learn some basic pentesting (add to resume). I did not know that VDMK files were VMware set. How would I go about adding my Kali download (Kali-linux-1.0.9-vm-i486) that contains many VDMK files and add it to something like VM Player?

» Sun Dec 21, 2014 12:00 am

Did you download directly from the Kali site.

https://www.kali.org/downloads/

» Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:47 am

Update:

So I got Kali working, but I am not sure if I did this the proper way. If someone could explain the usage of VDMK files, that would be good. :smile:

I'd make sure to pass this knowledge on whenever possible.

Edit:

@Erzherzoghans, sure did. :tops: