I have been working on some Ubuntu server vmware instances and got tired of walking through the steps in my howto one-by-one.  As a result, I put together a script to automatically install the vmware tools using the steps from the howto.

If you would prefer using the script, start by downloading it from here into the /tmp directory (the wget command is chopped off in the theme, but you should still be able to cut/paste):

cd /tmp

wget -c http://github.com/cccarey/demisauce/raw/master/install/install_openvmtools.sh

chmod +x install_openvmtools.sh

Before you start the script, “install” the VMWare Tools from your VMWare Console by selecting the VM -> Install VMWare Tools… menu option.  This is important as it sets the VMWare Tools as the cdrom drive.  The script will mount the drive and extract the VMWare Tools tar ball automatically.

Now you are ready to start the script:

cd /tmp

sudo ./install_openvmtools.sh

Sit back, watch the text go by, then reboot and you are all set.

Note: the script does not install the X tools. I will try to post an updated script with those additional steps from the howto soon.