VMWARE Networking Help

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 19:43

Hi guys.

I was wondering if anyone with VMWARE experience could help me get the network working on a x64 Vista OS with a XP Virtual machine.

I'm struggling to get the virtual machine to work with my connection because of my limited experience configuring networks.

If anyone knows of a 'noddy guide' with a simple walkthrough or could help me out with remote desktop to get it running it'd be greatly appreciated.

I'd need specifics rather than generalisations, if you need more details I'll provide them on request.

Thanks.

Skidilliplop · 13 Nov 2008 at 20:28

How far have you gotten before you get stuck?

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 21:13

Installed XP on a virtual image.

Messed around with network settings at random.

Managed to get the XP client from "no network connection" to an established connection that doesnt do anything.

I'm just hitting options at random trying to get it to access the interweb. No luck as yet.

agw_01 · 13 Nov 2008 at 21:19

Have you installed VMWare Tools on the virtual machine?

If you have and it's showing in Network Connections, you need to open the properties of the VM, click the Ethernet option from the hardware tab and select 'bridged' from the list on the right hand side.

Leave the network adapter on the VM to use DHCP and it should automatically configure itself.

That should do it

(Select the virtual machine and then click the 'Edit virtual machine settings' option)

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 21:32

That looks good, give me 10m and I'll give it a pop and let you know how I get on!

(ty for the quick reply btw)

Skidilliplop · 13 Nov 2008 at 22:11

You will also need to install a virtual adapter on the host (tap32 interface) through which the virtual machine accesses the "real world" and this can be bridged with the actual network adapter to give the VM physical connection to the network.

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 22:35

OK, this is how I've configured the virtual machine.

I've had no luck setting DCHP on it (auto-find settings etc). Apologies for the lack of SS from the virtual machine, but I'm having trouble getting it to work with my CD-ROM/A: etc.

ChrissyT88 · 13 Nov 2008 at 22:42

You could try setting 'Network Connection' to NAT - this gives it a direct link to the hosts connection (i think). My linux vm is set up this way and works, although im not sure if there are any security risks etc running xp in this way.

Skidilliplop · 13 Nov 2008 at 22:45

With bridged networking you need to add the virtual network adapter for the VM in a bridge with the actual physical network adapter on the host OS. You can use NAT for simplicity but stuff like DHCP wont pass through and going through 2 NATs causes issues with some web traffic.

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 22:51

Nat = jackpot.

Worked first time and I still have no clue why. As suggested, are there any security risks running XP in this manner?

Skid = So I need o link the VMWare network adapter to the real one in a bridge in Vista x64 in order to get that working correctly?

Hodders · 13 Nov 2008 at 23:13

The bridged option should work assuming that you have a dhcp server somewhere to hand out addresses.

Do you have you PC attached to a router or adsl modem using ethernet ?

Dace · 13 Nov 2008 at 23:18

Cable modem using ethernet I'd guess.

Also, I've managed to break NAT again playing with things

***.

Well, I'll be fair I feel a lot closer to finding a solution than I did earlier this evening, but I'll have to leave it for the night because of work/real life rubbish.

Thanks all for your help and I'll probably pick up again tommorow trying to get a bridged connection running under Vista x64.

Ty again guys, nice and quick and relatively simple ***

atomiser · 14 Nov 2008 at 08:24

i've had a couple of goes with vmware (both 1.07 and 2.0) on vista and neither of them worked properly because vista didn't like the virtual networks that vmware created. tried all sorts but ended up going back to xp on both occasions.