Installing Ubuntu in VMWare

Ubuntu version: 8.10
VMWare Workstation 6

Download Ubuntu from http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download/
Burn ISO image (i.e. using free open source InfraRecorder from http://infrarecorder.org/)
Install VMWare and create virtual machine (I allocated maximum of 10 Gb in 2 Gb chunks and allowed expansion on demand since I am not expecting high performance)
Power on the created VM and install Linux as usual
Install VMWare Tools on Windows by selecting it from VM menu
Install the Linux VMWare tool package. Refer to: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/install-vmware-tools-on-ubuntu-edgy-eft/

Problems with network interface
Symptoms: no connection to internet. Ipconfig command does not exist, eth0 interface does not exist (System->Administration->Network Tools shows only loopback interface)

From Windows:
run ipconfig /all to see VM interfaces. For me one was a direct bridge and another one for NAT.

From Ubuntu:
Run ping www.ubuntu.com. This ping test replied for me, so it's not too bad
System-> Preferences->Network Connections: I tried adding wired connection and editing the IP, mask and gateway for interfaces from "ipconfig /all" run above.
I don't know whether this have helped, but after restart, eth0 interface appeared under wired connections. My VM was connected.

VMWare Player
After the VMWare's trial period ends, I will install the pre-packaged version of Ubuntu (VMWare Ubuntu Appliance), which can be run from the free VMWare player.
Ubuntu 8.10 from Sisoracle: http://www.visoracle.com/vm/ubuntu810/
Ubuntu 8.10 from Tuxdistro: http://www.tuxdistro.com/torrents-details.php?id=1339
VMWare Player: http://www.vmware.com/download/player/

File access between Windows and Linux
With VMWare Desktop and installed VMWare tools, copying text and files is as easy as drag and dropping. When using free VMWare Player, tools like Samba and WinSCP will be required. The following guide explains the whole installation process including tricks with VMWare Player, accessing Ubuntu's command line via Puttu from Windows and zipping the VM onto usb key. http://www.tanguay.info/web/tutorial.php?idCode=installUbuntuOnVmware