This was tested with Ubuntu 24.04!

Prerequisites

• Install Vmware Workstation or Fusion (download and licensing details here)
• Download the latest, 64-bit Ubuntu Server LTS *.iso here

Installation

• Create a new VM guest in Vmware by following the instructions here
• Boot the new VM
• Go through the steps to install Ubuntu Server in the virtual machine
  • Select "Try or Install Ubuntu Server" and press enter
  • Select your language (use English if you expect me to assist troubleshooting)
  • Continue without updating the installer
  • Configure your keyboard
  • Select Ubuntu Server (default) install
  • Configure your network
  • Configure proxy (likely you don't need one)
  • Configure Ubuntu archive mirror (leave as default as minimal fails to install)
  • Configure your storage
    • Use an entire disk
    • /dev/sda
  • Select continue to confirm destructive action
  • Setup your user profile
  • Select to install OpenSSH server
  • Skip installing featured server snaps
• When installation finishes, detach the *.iso from the virtual DVD drive and shut down the VM
• Snapshot your VM, and name it "Clean install, no setup"
• Boot the Ubuntu Server VM
• Update the VM using $ sudo apt-get update
• Install VMware tools as detailed here
• Install a minimal desktop

  $ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
  

• Reboot
• Install some useful packages

  $ sudo apt-get install terminator net-tools inetutils-traceroute gnome-tweaks -y
  

• Run gnome-tweaks and enable Maximize/minimize buttons in Window Titlebars section
• Create a shared folder between the host and the VM for file transfers, as detailed here
• As su, safely update /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow and /etc/group (mostly to create all the default groups) # update-passwd
• As su, run an update
  • # apt-get update
• Disable screen locker and power saver settings (it's a VM, let host OS do this)
  • Settings->Power->Power Saving
    • Disable Screen Blank
  • Settings->Privacy and Security->Screen Lock
    • Disable Automatic Screen Lock
• Install gparted packages
  • sudo apt-get install gparted
• Set terminator as a Favorite
• Shut the VM down, snapshot your VM, and name it "Clean install"

Custom VMNet1 network between x2 Ubuntu server VMs

• Ensure that virtual networking for VMNet1 has the VMWare DHCP server disabled
• Setup target and infrastructure Ubuntu server VMs by following the two README.md files referenced here