VMware Tools includes one or more default scripts for each power state. The default script behavior depends in part on the guest operating system.

Microsoft Windows Guest Operating Systems

On most Microsoft Windows guest operating systems, the default script that runs when you suspend a virtual machine releases the IP address of the virtual machine. The default script that runs when you resume a virtual machine renews the IP address of the virtual machine. This behavior affects only virtual machines configured to use DHCP.

On Windows guest operating systems, the default scripts are located in the Program Files\VMware\VMware Tools folder.

Note: You cannot run scripts on NetWare, Windows NT, Me, Windows 98, and Windows 95 guest operating systems.

Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and Free BSD Guest Operating Systems

On most Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD guest operating systems, the default script that runs when you suspend a virtual machine stops networking for the virtual machine. The default script that runs when you resume a virtual machine starts networking for the virtual machine.

On Linux, Solaris, and FreeBSD guest operating systems, the default scripts are located in the /etc/vmware-tools directory. On Mac OS X operating systems the default scripts are located in the /Library/Application Support/VMware Tools directory.

Table 1. Default VMware Tools Scripts
Script Name Description
poweroff-vm-default Runs when the virtual machine is being powered off or reset.

Has no effect on networking for the virtual machine.

poweron-vm-default Runs when the virtual machine is being powered on rather than resumed.

Also runs after virtual machine restarts.

Has no effect on networking for the virtual machine.

resume-vm-default Runs when the virtual machine is resumed after it was suspended.

On Windows guest operating systems, if the virtual machine is configured to use DHCP, this script renews the IP address of the virtual machine.

On Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD guest operating systems, this script starts networking for the virtual machine.

suspend-vm-default Runs when the virtual machine is being suspended.

On Windows guest operating systems, if the virtual machine is configured to use DHCP, this script releases the IP address of the virtual machine.

On Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD , this script stops networking for the virtual machine.

For information about how to configure power operations, see the documentation for the VMware product you are using.