Debugging Linux kernels with VMWare

Still trying to find something, since UML didn't work for me. This here works with VMWare Fusion, too:
Debugging the virtual world.: Debugging Linux kernels with Workstation 6.0

I had to edit the .vmx file and add debugStub.listen.guest32=1 to it, then the log said:

Apr 03 14:33:57.701: vmx| VMware Fusion is listening for debug connection on port 8832.
Apr 03 14:33:57.701: vmx| target remote localhost:8832

yay. I can't load the debug symbols of the kernel, though.

(gdb) file vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic
"/Users/daniel/vmlinuz-2.6.27-11-generic": not in executable format: File format not recognized

Update: Seems like I need to get the uncompressed kernel (vmlinux) for the debug symbols, which involves getting the appropriate .debs from ddebs.ubuntu.com. I didn't follow that further, as I got UML working which I find more comfortable anyway.