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Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes

This document discusses different network modes for connecting virtual machines to networks. Bridged mode attaches the VM directly to the same network as the host, so the VM appears as another machine on the network. Host-only and internal modes create a private network between the VM and host. NAT mode allows the VM internet access using the host's IP address. Port forwarding can be used to access services on the VM from the host. Bridged mode provides full network access but visibility, while other modes isolate the VM but allow host access via techniques like port forwarding.

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47 views8 pages

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes

This document discusses different network modes for connecting virtual machines to networks. Bridged mode attaches the VM directly to the same network as the host, so the VM appears as another machine on the network. Host-only and internal modes create a private network between the VM and host. NAT mode allows the VM internet access using the host's IP address. Port forwarding can be used to access services on the VM from the host. Bridged mode provides full network access but visibility, while other modes isolate the VM but allow host access via techniques like port forwarding.

Uploaded by

Prima Even
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


How do virtual hosts access the network ?

Virtual Machines are connected to virtual network adapters,


presented to the guest OS by the Hypervisor.
But what is the virtual network adapter connected to on the host
side ?
Several possibilities
Essentially:
Bridged mode
Other modes (host-only, NAT, internal)
Note that the above terminology is usually associated with desktop
virtualization software like VirtualBox and VMWare, although other
products/solutions have reused the same terms.

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


Bridged mode
This is the most straightforward way to attach a Virtual Machine to
the network.
The VM is “bridged”, or attached, to the same network that
the host OS is physically connected to, using the Host’s
interface
If DHCP is present on this network, then the VM will receive
an IP from it.
To other hosts on the network, the VM will look like just any
other machine, with its own MAC address and IP address.
-----+------------+--:------------ network N ----
| | : <- bridge
[other] .------+--:---.
| .--+-. | VM attached to network N, like
| | VM | | Host, and other machines on N.
| Host `----' |
`-------------'
Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes
Bridged mode (cont’d)

Inside the Host OS, a virtual switch is used to achieve this.

X physical adapter
|
v-switch
(bridge)
ethX |
host -----+----- VM

Multiple VMs can be attached to the network in this fashion.


Note that the host does not necessarily need to have an IP address
on the network. We will discuss this in more detail later.
Pros: VM participates in the network like any other machine
Cons: VMs are visible to other machines (whether one wants to
or not, and there has to be enough IPs available on the network

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


Other modes: host-only, internal

These modes do not place the VM directly on the network where


the Host is connected to the outside world.
Instead, a private, internal network is created, and the VM is placed
on it. Each mode works differently:
host-only: the Host and the Guest VM can communicate
together, but the VM cannot talk to the outside world - only
with the Host For example, it’s possible to SSH directly to the
Guest from the Host (and vice-versa)
internal: the Guest VM is isolated and cannot talk to the Host
or the outside world, but can talk to other VMs, if they are
connected to the same internal network

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


NAT mode

This is the default way for VirtualBox and VMware Desktop editions
to connect the VM. NAT (Network Address Translation) is used to
allow the Guest VM to access the outside networks.
NAT uses the IP address configured on the Host’s physical interface,
but the Host and Guest still cannot talk together.

---------+--------------- network N ----


|
.--------+----.
| NAT |
| .-+--. | VM traffic is NAT'ed to use
| | VM | | IP address of Host
| Host `----' |
`-------------'

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


Accessing the Guest from the Host

So what do we do if we want to access the Guest from the Host ?


3 Possibilities
Use bridged mode - the VM is then a machine just like any
other on your local network, and you can SSH to it using the
IP address configured (statically or using DHCP)
Use Host-only mode - you can then connect to the VM, and
vice-versa, but the VM cannot talk to hosts “outside”
Use Port Forwarding, which maps TCP/UDP ports on the Host
to TCP/UDP ports on the VM. We will see this last solution
now. a
a
VMware has a mode combining Host-only and NAT, which solves this
problem. With VirtualBox, one can give the VM two network interfaces: one
host-only, one NAT, or one can use Port Forwarding

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes


Notes

A very good article explaining the different network modes in Virtual


Box
https://blogs.oracle.com/fatbloke/entry/networking_
in_virtualbox1

Virtualization Workshop: Network Modes

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