Q. How do I install VMware tools (virtual server tools) in Ubuntu Linux to improve the performance of the guest VPS (VM machine) system?

A. VMWare tools created to fine tune your virtualization. It provides essential performance boost to the guest operating system. You can get faster graphics and mouse performance.

Step # 1 : Boot Ubuntu Linux

Start your Ububtu Linux VM

Step # 2: Install VMware Tools

To Install VMware Tools, select VM Menu > Select Install VMware Tools

Click on Install to Install the tools:

WARNING! These examples should executed using vmware workstation or vmware console only. You are not allowed to install vmware-tools using remote ssh session.

Step #3: Install tool from virtual CD-ROM

VMware Workstation / server software will temporarily connect to the virtual machine’s first virtual CD-ROM drive to the ISO image file that contains the VMware Tools installer for your guest operating system and you are ready to begin the installation process. Login to your Ubuntu Linux vm and make sure build-essential and kernel header is installed:
$ sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r)
Next, mount cdrom if it is not mouted, enter:
$ sudo mount -a
$ df -H
$ mount | grep -i cdrom
Your virual CD will be at /media/cdrom or /media/cdrom0 directory. Now copy a file called VMwareTools*.tar.gz:
$ cd /tmp
$ cp /media/cdrom0/VMwareTools*.tar.gz .
$ tar -zxvf VMwareTools*.tar.gz
$ cd vmware-tools*
$ sudo ./vmware-install.pl
Now just follow on scree instructions and you should able to install tools. There is not need to reboot VM or anything as vmware-tools will be installed as service at /etc/init.d/vmware-tools.

How do I start / stop / restart vmware tools from vm itself?

Use the command as follows:
$ sudo /etc/init.d/vmware-tools start
$ sudo /etc/init.d/vmware-tools stop
$ sudo /etc/init.d/vmware-tools restart