Setting Up Ubuntu on VMware for Your Cybersecurity Home Lab

Ubuntu is a versatile, user-friendly Linux distribution ideal for testing, learning, and development. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing Ubuntu on VMware step-by-step. Whether you’re a beginner or exploring virtualization for a cybersecurity lab, this setup ensures your main system stays unaffected.

First Prepare the Necessary Software

Download Ubuntu ISO File:
Visit Ubuntu’s official website: https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop.
Choose the version of Ubuntu you want to install (typically the latest stable release is recommended).
Download the ISO file, which is a disk image of Ubuntu.

• ISO File: “An ISO file is a digital version of a CD or DVD. It contains all the files needed to install an operating system like Ubuntu. You’ll use this file to install Ubuntu in VMware.”

Create a Virtual Machine in VMware

Open VMware Workstation Player:
Launch the VMware Workstation Player application.

Create a New Virtual Machine:
Click on “Create a New Virtual Machine”.

In the wizard, choose the type of configuration:

• Typical (Recommended): For a simple setup.
• Custom (Advanced): For more control over the virtual machine’s settings (as shown in your image, “Custom” was selected).

Click Next to proceed.

In the next screen, select the hardware compatibility for the virtual machine.

Default Option: “Workstation 17.5 or later” is selected by default.

• Ensure compatibility with modern features for better performance.
• Review the limitations:
• Maximum of 128 GB SCSI(Small Computer System Interface): SCSI is a virtual interface for connecting storage devices in virtual machines. It’s fast and reliable, making it the recommended option for Ubuntu installations.

RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is the memory your computer uses to run programs. For Ubuntu, 4 GB (4096 MB) is recommended, but you can allocate more if your computer has sufficient resources.

• Up to 32 processors, 10 network adapters, and 8 TB of disk size.

Click Next to proceed.

Choose Installation Source:

Select “Installer disc image file (ISO)”.

Click Browse and navigate to the location of the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.

Once selected, VMware will detect the operating system and display details (“Ubuntu 64-bit 24.04.1 detected”).

• Verify the Selection: Ensure the correct ISO file is chosen. The Ubuntu version should match what you downloaded.
• Alternative Option: If you don’t want to install the OS immediately, select “I will install the operating system later” (useful for advanced setups or troubleshooting).

Click Next to proceed.

Enter Your Details:

• Full Name: Enter your full name (this is optional and can be left blank).
• User Name: Create a username for your Ubuntu system. This will be your login name (“user” or “john”).
• Password: Enter a secure password.
• Confirm Password: Re-enter the password to confirm it.

Things to Note:

• Choose a username and password you can remember, as you’ll need them to log into the virtual machine once Ubuntu is installed.
• Passwords should be at least 8 characters long for security, ideally combining letters, numbers, and symbols.

Click Next to proceed.

• Number of Processors: Choose the number of physical processors to assign (usually 1–2).
• Number of Cores per Processor: Select the number of cores for each processor.

For better performance, allocate 2 processors with 2 cores each (total 4 cores).

Total Processor Cores: Confirm the total cores displayed.

Click Next when done.

Use the slider or input box to allocate memory (RAM) to the virtual machine.

• Recommended: At least 4 GB (4096 MB) for a smooth Ubuntu experience.

If your system has more resources, allocate 8 GB or higher.

Avoid exceeding half of your host system’s RAM to maintain host performance.

Click Next to continue.

Select Use Network Address Translation (NAT):

This allows the virtual machine to share the host’s internet connection without needing a separate IP address.

Other options:

• Bridged Networking: Direct access to the external network (requires network setup).
• Host-Only Networking: For internal networking between the host and VM only.

Click Next to proceed.

In this screen, you choose the type of SCSI controller for your virtual machine.

Recommended Option:

• Select LSI Logic (Recommended). This option provides good performance and compatibility for most operating systems, including Ubuntu.

Other Options:

• LSI Logic SAS: Use if you need Serial Attached SCSI (rarely needed for desktop Ubuntu setups).
• Paravirtualized SCSI: Designed for high-performance storage environments (more advanced and not required for typical setups).
• BusLogic: Not available for 64-bit guest systems, so it’s not applicable here.

Click Next to proceed.

In this step, you specify the type of virtual disk interface to use for the virtual machine.

Recommended Option:

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): SCSI is a virtual interface for connecting storage devices in virtual machines. It’s fast and reliable, making it the recommended option for Ubuntu installations.

With: SCSI (Recommended): Select this option for reliable performance and compatibility with most operating systems, including Ubuntu.

Other Options (not typically necessary for Ubuntu):

• IDE: Older interface, not recommended unless required for specific legacy systems.
• SATA: Common for modern systems, but SCSI is generally preferred for virtual environments.
• NVMe: High-performance interface for SSDs. Use this if you want advanced storage performance and your hardware supports it.

Click Next to proceed.

In this step, you define the storage method for your virtual machine.

Recommended Option:

• Create a new virtual disk: Select this option to create a virtual hard disk for the guest operating system (Ubuntu).
• This is the standard choice for most setups, as it provides a clean slate for the installation.

Other Options:

• Use an existing virtual disk: Use this if you already have a pre-configured virtual disk.
• Use a physical disk: This allows the virtual machine to access a physical hard disk directly. This option is advanced and not recommended for beginners.

Click Next to proceed.

In this step, you determine the size and configuration of the virtual hard disk for your Ubuntu virtual machine.

Set Maximum Disk Size:

• Recommended: Enter a size of 20 GB or more (the minimum for Ubuntu is 20 GB, but 40–100 GB is better if you plan to install additional software).

VMware will allocate this as needed unless you choose to allocate the entire size immediately.

Choose Disk Allocation Options:

• Allocate all disk space now: Select this if you have enough storage space and want better performance. It reserves the entire disk size on your host system upfront.
• Store virtual disk as a single file: Recommended for most users as it simplifies management and offers slightly better performance.
• Split virtual disk into multiple files: Choose this if you might move the virtual machine to another system with a file size limit (e.g., FAT32 systems).

Recommended Configuration:

Maximum disk size: 40–100 GB (adjust based on your needs and host storage).

Select Store virtual disk as a single file for simplicity and performance.

Click Next to proceed.

Disk File Name: VMware automatically suggests a name for the virtual disk file (Ubuntu_Home_Lab.vmdk).

You can change the name or leave it as default

Location:

• The file will be stored in the same folder you selected for the virtual machine.
• If needed, click Browse to choose a different location.

Click Next to proceed.

The virtual machine will boot the Ubuntu ISO.

After a moment, you’ll see the Ubuntu logo and a loading animation indicating that the installation is starting.

Select the language you want for the installation and system interface (English).

Click Next.

Ubuntu offers accessibility options for vision, hearing, typing, and pointing assistance.

You can customize these now or skip them by clicking Next.

Choose the keyboard layout that matches your physical keyboard (English (US)).

If you’re unsure, you can use the Detect option to automatically determine your layout.

Test your keyboard in the provided box to confirm the layout is correct.

Click Next.

Choose your network connection type:

• Use wired connection: For internet access during installation (recommended to download updates).
• Do not connect to the internet: If you prefer to proceed without internet (you can set it up later).

Click Next.

Select “Install Ubuntu”:

• This option installs Ubuntu permanently on the virtual machine.
• The “Try Ubuntu” option allows you to test Ubuntu without installing it (useful for exploration).

Click Next.

Interactive Installation:

• Recommended for guided, step-by-step installation.
• Select this option if you’re new to Ubuntu.

Automated Installation: Use this for predefined, script-based setups (advanced users).

Click Next.

Choose the desired application set:

• Default selection: Installs the essentials, including a web browser and basic utilities.
• Extended selection: Includes additional tools such as office software (useful if you need more preinstalled apps).

Click Next.

Click on the following options:

• Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware (recommended for compatibility).
• Download and install support for additional media formats (for MP3, MP4, and other formats).

Click Next.

Erase Disk and Install Ubuntu:

Choose this option to automatically configure the virtual disk (safe for virtual environments).

• Manual Installation (Advanced):

Allows you to create and modify partitions manually.

Click Next.

Fill in the following details:

• Your name: The name displayed in the system.
• Your computer’s name: A unique identifier for your system.
• Your username: Used to log in.
• Password: Enter a secure password and confirm it.
• Require my password to log in: Recommended for security.

Click Next.

Select your location on the map or type it into the search bar.

Ensure the correct timezone is selected.

Click Next.

Confirm the installation details (disk setup, applications, proprietary software, etc.).

If everything is correct, click Install.

The system will copy files and install Ubuntu.

This process may take a few minutes to complete.

Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart the virtual machine.

Click Restart Now and remove the installation media when prompted.

Your Ubuntu virtual machine is now ready to use!

The welcome screen confirms the successful installation of Ubuntu.

Click Next to proceed.

Ubuntu Pro offers extended security updates and compliance tools.

Options:

• Enable Ubuntu Pro: Activate this if you have a subscription.
• Skip for now: You can enable it later via the Software & Updates application.

Select Skip for now if unsure, then click Next.

You can choose to share system data to help improve Ubuntu:

• Yes, share system data: Sends anonymized system usage data to Ubuntu.
• No, don’t share system data: Opt out if you prefer privacy.

Make your choice and click Next.

The final screen highlights popular applications available in the Ubuntu App Center.

Click Open App Center to explore apps immediately, or click Finish to start using your desktop.

You’ve now completed the installation and setup. You can begin exploring Ubuntu, installing software, or configuring additional settings based on your needs. Let me know if you need help with anything else!

Make sure your system and software are up to date with the latest versions:

Open the Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and run the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

To enhance security in your new Ubuntu system, consider enabling a firewall and installing essential security tools:

Enable Firewall: Open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and type:

sudo apt install ufw -y
sudo ufw enable

For advanced users, you can enhance your Ubuntu environment:

Install tools for development (Python, Node.js, or Java):

Development tools such as Python, Node.js, and Java are essential for creating software, automating tasks, and experimenting with programming:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip nodejs npm -y

Customize the desktop environment using GNOME Tweaks:

A personalized environment makes working on your system more comfortable and enjoyable. You can tailor the appearance and behavior of Ubuntu to suit your preferences.

sudo apt install gnome-tweaks -y

Install Flatpak for accessing additional apps:

Flatpak is a modern application packaging and distribution system for Linux. It allows you to install, update, and run applications in a sandboxed environment, ensuring security and compatibility across various Linux distributions.

Flatpak runs applications in a sandbox, isolating them from the rest of the system.

sudo apt install flatpak -y
sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak -y

Why is This Setup Beneficial?

• Safety: Virtualization isolates Ubuntu from your main system, allowing safe experimentation.
• Learning: Provides a sandbox environment to practice Linux commands, explore cybersecurity tools, or develop software.
• Flexibility: Ubuntu’s vast ecosystem supports a wide range of tools and applications.

Final Thought:

By setting up Ubuntu on VMware, you’re not just installing an operating system — you’re creating a safe, flexible space to explore, learn, and grow. Whether you’re tinkering with Linux for the first time, experimenting with cybersecurity tools, or setting up a lab for development, this setup empowers you to dive in without worrying about your main system. Remember, the beauty of open-source software like Ubuntu lies in its freedom to adapt to your needs. So, take your time, experiment fearlessly, and enjoy the journey of discovery. If you get stuck or have questions, the vibrant Linux community is always there to help. Welcome to the world of Linux — your adventure starts here!