Installing VMware Tools on a Linux Guest Operating System fails with the error: Unable to build the vmci module

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Installing VMware Tools on a Linux Guest Operating System fails
• You see the error:
  
  make[4]: *** [/tmp/vmware-config18/vmci-only/vmciKernelIf.o] Error 1
  make[3]: *** [_module_/tmp/vmware-config18/vmci-only] Error 2
  make[2]: *** [sub-make] Error 2
  make[1]: *** [all] Error 2
  make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/src/linux-2.6.32.13-0.4-obj/x86_64/default'
  make: *** [vmci.ko] Error 2
  make: Leaving directory `/tmp/vmware-config18/vmci-only'
  Unable to build the vmci module.

Environment

VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESX 4.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x

Cause

The issue occurs because Virtual Machine Communication Interface (VMCI) is disabled and the VMware Tools installer is unable compile the module. This error can be safely ignored.

Note: By default, VMCI is disabled.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, enable communication between virtual machines that run on the same host:

VMCI provides a high-speed communication channel between the virtual machine and the ESX/ESXi host that it runs on. You can also enable VMCI for communication between virtual machines that run on the same host.

Note: Before performing these steps, ensure that the virtual machine is using hardware version 7.

1. In the vSphere Client inventory, right-click the virtual machine and click Edit Settings.
2. Click the Hardware tab.
3. Select VMCI device and select Enable VMCI Between VMs.
4. Click OK. The other virtual machines running on the same host can now communicate with this unrestricted virtual machine.