I've disabled the NAT and local-only network adapters that VMWare added to my Windows (host) with no apparent ill effect. I only use bridged network connections, so the guest gets its own direct LAN IP.

The only reason I had for doing so? Windows Vista reports two "unidentified" networks on which my computer was participating. Since I couldn't "identify" them, I disabled them. Quick fire-up of VM and all still works; guest got IP, no complaints from VMWare Player or Windows, and the adapters didn't re-enable themselves.

I'm curious if I can do the same on my LINUX hosts.