How to Enable Bridged Network in VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a powerful tool that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your computer. One of the key features of VirtualBox is its ability to connect your virtual machines to your local network through a feature called bridged networking. This allows the virtual machines to have their own IP address on your network, just like a physical machine, making it easy to communicate with other devices on your network.
Enabling bridged networking in VirtualBox is a simple process, but it can be confusing for beginners. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable bridged networking in VirtualBox so you can take full advantage of this powerful feature.
Step 1: Open VirtualBox and Select Your Virtual Machine
The first step to enable bridged networking in VirtualBox is to open VirtualBox on your computer. Once VirtualBox is open, select the virtual machine that you want to enable bridged networking on from the list of virtual machines on the left side of the window.
Step 2: Go to Settings
With your virtual machine selected, click on the “Settings” button at the top of the VirtualBox window. This will open the settings window for your virtual machine, where you can configure various settings including networking.
Step 3: Configure Network Settings
In the settings window for your virtual machine, click on the “Network” tab on the left side of the window. This will show you the networking settings for your virtual machine, including options for Adapter 1, Adapter 2, etc. Click on “Adapter 1” to configure the settings for the first network adapter.
Under the “Attached to” drop-down menu, select “Bridged Adapter” from the list of options. This will enable bridged networking for this network adapter, allowing your virtual machine to connect directly to your local network.
Step 4: Select Bridged Network Interface
Once you have selected “Bridged Adapter” as the attachment type, you will see a drop-down menu labeled “Name.” This menu will show you a list of available network interfaces on your computer. Select the network interface that you want to bridge your virtual machine to from this list.
Make sure to select the network interface that is connected to your local network, such as your Ethernet adapter or Wi-Fi adapter, to ensure that your virtual machine can communicate with other devices on your network.
Step 5: Save Your Settings and Start Your Virtual Machine
Once you have selected the appropriate network interface, click “OK” to save your settings and close the settings window. You can now start your virtual machine and it will be connected to your local network via bridged networking.
That’s it! You have successfully enabled bridged networking in VirtualBox. Your virtual machine should now have its own IP address on your local network, allowing it to communicate with other devices on your network just like a physical machine.
By following these simple steps, you can make full use of bridged networking in VirtualBox and take advantage of the flexibility and power that it provides. Happy virtualizing!