Ubuntu and Vmware workstation pro after installation of new kernel

[John Austin]

Try the gory details here.
https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306

Worked for me on F42, kernel 6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64 & WS 17.6.3

Maybe these are relevant if you are talking kernel 6.16.x
https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-3004879683
https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-2916763651


On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 08:29 +0000, Paolo Meravigliao via Broadcom wrote:
> The commad I do after installation of new kernel are correct?
>
>
> dmesg output attached.
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
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[Paolo Meravigliao]

ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$ sudo make -C vmmon-only
make: ingresso nella directory «/home/ivan»
make: *** vmmon-only: File o directory non esistente.  Arresto.
make: uscita dalla directory «/home/ivan»
ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$ 

Doesen't work, I'm using kernel "Linux 6.14.0-22-generic".

[John Austin]

I have a very short script that does diff between a unmodified vmmon or vmnet and modified versions.
Last 6 lines of the file.

I created the modified versions using the changes shown on
https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306
(by hand - not using patch)
hence I have my own patch files.

The rest of the script is comments to help me try to understand what is going on.
The comments can be cut & pasted into a terminal and run.

A large section is concerned with untarring, applying the patches, tarring and compiling - it might
help.

The line that does all the work is
vmware-modconfig --console --install-all


On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 12:03 +0000, Paolo Meravigliao via Broadcom wrote:
> ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$ sudo make -C vmmon-only
> make: ingresso nella directory «/home/ivan»
> make: *** vmmon-only: File o directory non esistente.  Arresto.
> make: uscita dalla directory «/home/ivan»
> ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$
>
>
> Doesen't work, I'm using kernel "Linux 6.14.0-22-generic".
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: Jul 03, 2025 06:24 AM
> From: John Austin
> Subject: Ubuntu and Vmware workstation pro after installation of new kernel
>
> Try the gory details here.
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306 <
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306>
>
> Worked for me on F42, kernel 6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64 & WS 17.6.3
>
> Maybe these are relevant if you are talking kernel 6.16.x
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-3004879683 <
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-3004879683>
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-2916763651 <
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-2916763651>
>
>
> On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 08:29 +0000, Paolo Meravigliao via Broadcom wrote:
> > The commad I do after installation of new kernel are correct?
> >
> >
> > dmesg output attached.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> >
> > You are subscribed to "VMware Workstation" as [e-mail] 

[John Austin]

I'm pretty sure no patches were required for Fedora 41/42 with
kernel 6.14.x & WS 17.6.3

kernel 6.15.x certainly needs the patches
ja@meon ~ 1$ uname -r
6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64

Fedora version of 6.16.x yet to come


On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 13:59 +0000, John Austin via Broadcom wrote:
> I have a very short script that does diff between a unmodified vmmon or vmnet and modified versions.
> Last 6 lines of the file.
>
> I created the modified versions using the changes shown on
> https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306
> (by hand - not using patch)
> hence I have my own patch files.
>
> The rest of the script is comments to help me try to understand what is going on.
> The comments can be cut & pasted into a terminal and run.
>
> A large section is concerned with untarring, applying the patches, tarring and compiling - it might
> help.
>
> The line that does all the work is
> vmware-modconfig --console --install-all
>
>
> On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 12:03 +0000, Paolo Meravigliao via Broadcom wrote:
> > ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$ sudo make -C vmmon-only
> > make: ingresso nella directory «/home/ivan»
> > make: *** vmmon-only: File o directory non esistente.  Arresto.
> > make: uscita dalla directory «/home/ivan»
> > ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$
> >
> >
> > Doesen't work, I'm using kernel "Linux 6.14.0-22-generic".
> >
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------
> > Original Message:
> > Sent: Jul 03, 2025 06:24 AM
> > From: John Austin
> > Subject: Ubuntu and Vmware workstation pro after installation of new kernel
> >
> > Try the gory details here.
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306 <
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306>
> >
> > Worked for me on F42, kernel 6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64 & WS 17.6.3
> >
> > Maybe these are relevant if you are talking kernel 6.16.x
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-3004879683 <
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-3004879683>
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-2916763651 <
> > https://github.com/mkubecek/vmware-host-modules/issues/306#issuecomment-2916763651>
> >
> >
> > On Thu, 2025-07-03 at 08:29 +0000, Paolo Meravigliao via Broadcom wrote:
> > > The commad I do after installation of new kernel are correct?
> > >
> > >
> > > dmesg output attached.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > >
> > > You are subscribed to "VMware Workstation" as [e-mail] 
>
>
> Reply to Sender :
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>
> Reply to Discussion : https://community.broadcom.com/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=7171&MID=4381816
>
>
>
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> .
>
> Copyright © 2005-2023 Broadcom. All Rights Reserved. The term "Broadcom" refers to Broadcom Inc.
> and/or its subsidiaries.
>
> Hosted by Higher Logic, LLC on the behalf of Broadcom
> https://www.broadcom.com/company/legal/privacy-policy | https://www.higherlogic.com/legal/privacy |
> https://www.broadcom.com/company/citizenship/governance-and-ethics#supply |
> https://www.broadcom.com/termsandconditions

[Paolo Meravigliao]

Hi thanks for your reply. I have attacched my system config.

I'm not an expert with compiling.

Can you tell me how to do?

Thanks

[Paolo Meravigliao]

Just this morning there was some updates in Ubuntu, also kernel. I do all the updates and of course Vmware doesn't work anymore. Attacched the new config and the steps I do after launching Vmware.

Hope this help to solve the issue.

I have not given the following commands yet. I await your suggestions:

openssl req -new -x509 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout MOK.priv -outform DER -out MOK.der -nodes -days 36500 -subj "/CN=My Name/"
sudo /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)/scripts/sign-file sha256 ./MOK.priv ./MOK.der $(modinfo -n vmmon)
sudo /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)/scripts/sign-file sha256 ./MOK.priv ./MOK.der $(modinfo -n vmnet)
sudo mokutil --import MOK.der ---"insert a password"
now reboot and re-enroll your key.

Thanks

[John Austin]

Hi

I attach my very simple diff script only the last 6 lines do anything.

The rest is a list of commands that are intended to remind me what to

do next time.

Also attached are "MY" diff files which should be the same/or close

to those posted elsewhere.

Hope it helps

Attachment(s)

ja_diff.txt   3 KB 1 version

ja_diff_vmmon.txt   1 KB 1 version

ja_diff_vmnet.txt   1 KB 1 version

[Paolo Meravigliao]

Hi,

I have to execute those command?

#As root - Compile and install the kernel modules
su -
vmware-modconfig --console --install-all
END_COMMENT2
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cd $1
list=`find * -type f |  grep -E -e '.[ch]$|Makefile'`

for j in $list
do
diff -u $j $2/$j
done

[John Austin]

Hello

The very first thing is to be certain that we are talking about the same kernel & WS version.

 Earlier in the post you say "I'm using kernel "Linux 6.14.0-22-generic""

What does uname -r say?

My machine gives

ja@meon ~ 1$ uname -r                                                                                                                            
6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64

Workstation shows

Version: 17.6.3 build-24583834

The patches I am talking about are for patching WS 17.6.3 "modules"  vmmon & vmnet such that they compile with kernel 6.15.x

[Paolo Meravigliao]

Hi

ivan@ivan-NUC10i7FNH:~$ uname -r
6.14.0-23-generic

VMware® Workstation 17 Pro
Version: 17.6.3 build-24583834

Just to clarify my doubt, the command I do after installation of new kernel are correct?

Thanks

Ivan

[John Austin]

Hi

The patches being discussed are for kernel 6.15.x and not 6.14.x

I do not believe that any patches are need for 6.14.x and WS 17.6.3

You do need the kernel-devel package that matches the running kernel.
I have

kernel-6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64
kernel-devel-6.15.4-200.fc42.x86_64

If I am correct then if you just run "vmware" in a root terminal

WS will compile and install the modules automatically if required.

This should do the same thing

su -
vmware-modconfig --console --install-all

[Technogeezer]

That's correct. No patches are needed to the kernel modules for WS 17.6.3 and kernel 6.14.

------------------------------
- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[Samuel Goncalves]

It didn't work for me, using Ubuntu kernel 6.14.0-24-generic, VMware Workstation 17.6.3 build-24583834,

even using the command vmware-modconfig --console --install-allI get this:

...

Starting VMware services:
   Virtual machine monitor                                            failed
   Virtual machine communication interface                             done
   VM communication interface socket family                            done
   Virtual ethernet                                                   failed
   VMware Authentication Daemon                                        done
Unable to start services

[Technogeezer]

I'm assuming that the kernel module compilation succeeded, but the module loading is what's failing

Are you running a kernel that requires signed kernel modules? if so, did you sign the newly compiled kernel modules (see https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/315309/cannot-open-devvmmon-no-such-file-or-dir.html )

------------------------------
- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[Paolo Meravigliao]

>> If I am correct then if you just run "vmware" in a root terminal

Now with the installation of new kernel the network work. Probably something went wrongwith the previous installation or maybe after the installation of new kernel I have to launch "sudo vmware" instead run int by the icon.

simple things no eh :-)))

Thanks a lot

[John Austin]

Glad it is now working.

When Ubuntu updates to 6.15.x you will need your new found

expertise - unless VMware get there first!

[goldeneye_007]

It's handy to know how to compile vmmon vmnet regardless. Sometimes you want to stay on an older version of workstation and compiling for them is a regular need. VMware/Broadcom is never going to be up with the latest kernel updates. VMware as a standalone company wasn't either. You either passed on kernel updates or learned how to compile. Hopefully someone was posting any required changes to build them. I got myself into some sticky scenarios in the early days when the installers were not as good.