VMWare on Windows and Linux

Greg

Greg

Greg

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Ok, I'm not sure how simple of a question this may be, its simple to describe but I suspect the answer maybe slightly complicated?!

What I'd like to do is, using VMWare Workstation on a Windows 7 machine, run a VMWare Virtual machine running Ubuntu. Simple to start with. I've successfully managed to do this, the next bit is the tricky stage.

What I need is the Ubuntu Virtual Machine to be able to write data to an area (I.e. a specific folder) on the Windows machine (the host).

I'm at a total loss as to how to get this to work!

Any help would greatly be appreciated!

Regards,

Greg
 
You just treat the VM as a different pc on the network. Share a folder within windows, then you browse to that network share from within the VM. But if you are new to linux, it might be quicker to just use a usb stick as the usb sticks should mount automatically in to the vm. Just look for guides.
 
I only use VMWare on window, but as said, use it as a differnent pc on the network must be ok, just like to share it on the network.
 
Ok guys, this is what I half suspected! I'm a little confused as to what option to use on the network side when I set up the new virtual machine. DOes anyone know the specific option I should be using?
 
Not used a ubuntu VM, but I have no problems getting my XP VM to write to a folder on my Windows 7 host, just by using the options in Workstation.

Go to Edit Virtual Machine Settings - Options and configure shared folders there.
 
Otherwise, for getting to a shared folder on the host pc, just set up the ubuntu VM with a bridged network connection and connect to the shared folder as you would if they were two physical machines connected to the same switch or hub.
 
Could you please give me some 'settings' to plug into VMWare. I've tried to figure it out but I'm getting extremely confused between NAT, Auto-Bridging and host only etc.

(VM) Linux box: IP Address: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
(Real PC) Windows 7 pc: IP Address: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

Then how I actually make a connection between the two?!

Sorry to be so silly but I'm totally pulling my hair out!! (Could I be cheeky and ask for screen shots if someone has the time? I would loveyoulongtime)
 
Do you have DHCP on your network? If so, all you should need to do is make sure that the network connection on the VM (in the VM Machine settings in workstation) is set to bridged. That way the VM will get a DHCP address on your network.

There are basically three settings for network in VM:

Bridged - VM will act like a regular machine and get an IP address from the DHCP server on your network (usually your router) just like if you plugged a physical machine in.

NAT - VM will get an address (usually in the 192.x.x.x range) that allows it to communicate with your host PC and use the host's PC address on your Lan to communicate with the outside world (much like your PC does with the IP address assigned to your router by your ISP when it goes out on the internet)

Host only - VM will get an address (usually on a different 192.x.x.x range to NAT) that creates a mini network between host and VM but the VM cannot communicate with anything else on the network.
 
How much data are looking to save to Windows machine (host)?

Have you though about just using Dropbox? Anything saved to Dropbox folder in Ubuntu would be automatically synced to Dropbox folder on Windows machine. Easy to setup as well.
 
walnuts said:
How much data are looking to save to Windows machine (host)?

Have you though about just using Dropbox? Anything saved to Dropbox folder in Ubuntu would be automatically synced to Dropbox folder on Windows machine. Easy to setup as well.
Click to expand...

That sounds very interesting. I'm only looking at a few MBs of data each time, well, that's each day. We're not talking seriously large files or anything.
 
Donkeyfumbler said:
Host only - VM will get an address (usually on a different 192.x.x.x range to NAT) that creates a mini network between host and VM but the VM cannot communicate with anything else on the network.
Click to expand...

This is fine, but I don't understand what IP addresses i need to put in place to enable the host to talk to the VM and vice versa!?
 
Greg said:
That sounds very interesting. I'm only looking at a few MBs of data each time, well, that's each day. We're not talking seriously large files or anything.
Click to expand...

It should work fine then plus it's very easy to setup and any files in Dropbox folder will automatically get backed up and synced between 2 machines.
 
walnuts said:
It should work fine then plus it's very easy to setup and any files in Dropbox folder will automatically get backed up and synced between 2 machines.
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate a little further then, n00bie instructions would be appreciated!

Ta
 
For Dropbox.

On your Windows 7 machine open up Internet Explorer and go to www.dropbox.com
Register for free account (free account can hold up to 2GB of data)
Download Dropbox software and install it. If you follow default settings during install a folder called 'Dropbox' will be created in your My Documents folder. If you want to place 'Dropbox' folder in different location like your desktop choose custom install during installation.

From Ubuntu machine you need to do the same. This time go to www.dropbox.com and login with your account (You created an account earlier). Download and install Dropbox software.

Now you have a folder called 'Dropbox' in each machine linked to same Dropbox account. If you copy a file to Dropbox folder on one machine it will automatically get copied to other machine.
 
walnuts said:
For Dropbox.

On your Windows 7 machine open up Internet Explorer and go to www.dropbox.com
Register for free account (free account can hold up to 2GB of data)
Download Dropbox software and install it. If you follow default settings during install a folder called 'Dropbox' will be created in your My Documents folder. If you want to place 'Dropbox' folder in different location like your desktop choose custom install during installation.

From Ubuntu machine you need to do the same. This time go to www.dropbox.com and login with your account (You created an account earlier). Download and install Dropbox software.

Now you have a folder called 'Dropbox' in each machine linked to same Dropbox account. If you copy a file to Dropbox folder on one machine it will automatically get copied to other machine.
Click to expand...

Looks wicked; I'm a bit confused though, does the machine need to have permenant internet access?
 
Greg said:
Looks wicked; I'm a bit confused though, does the machine need to have permenant internet access?
Click to expand...

It doesn't need permanent internet access but you will need to connect machine to internet whenever you wanted to sync 2 machines Dropbox folders.
 
Greg said:
The thing is, this laptop isn't plugged into any router or switch, so do I need to set up a local DHCP client on the laptop?!

Greg
Click to expand...

And it's not wireless connected either?

If that's the case, that rules out bridging. Host only should be find though, as VMWare Workstation will handle the DHCP aspect of it by itself.
 
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