By default the VMware RCLI virtual appliance uses DHCP to configure its Ethernet interface. If you don’t want it to use DHCP you can change it fairly simply. There are two ways to do it:
1. Put it on a DHCP-capable subnet, let it DHCP an IP, then go to that hostname with a web browser and change the network settings through the web interface.
2. Change the settings manually. To do that, log in to the RCLI appliance as root with the password you set on the first boot. Use vi to edit /etc/network/interfaces.
If you are not familiar with the UNIX editor ‘vi’ you might want to take a few minutes and go through a short tutorial. A number of Universities offer tutorials that are well suited to vi newcomers.
In /etc/network/interfaces change:
iface eth0 inet dhcp
into:
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.1.20
netmask 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.1.1
and save the file. Then use vi to edit /etc/resolv.conf, changing:
search eng.vmware.com
nameserver 10.17.0.94
nameserver 10.17.0.95
to something like the following, obviously inserting your own name servers and domain name:
search your.domain.name.com
nameserver xxx.yyy.zzz.aaa
nameserver xxx.yyy.zzz.bbb
Save that file and reboot:
shutdown -r now
and you’re set.