Specifications

CHAPTER 7 Networking
231
Common Networking Configurations
The following sections illustrate the networking configurations that are set up for you
automatically when you choose the standard networking options in the New Virtual
Machine Wizard or virtual machine settings editor.
• Bridged Networking on page 231
• Network Address Translation (NAT) on page 232
• Host-Only Networking on page 234
Only one virtual machine is shown in each example, but multiple virtual machines can
be connected to the same virtual Ethernet switch. On a Windows host, you can
connect an unlimited number of virtual network devices to a virtual switch. On a
Linux host, you can connect up to 32 devices.
Bridged Networking
Bridged networking connects a virtual machine to a network using the host computer’s Ethernet adapter.
Bridged networking is set up automatically if you select Use bridged networking in
the New Virtual Machine Wizard or if you select the Typical setup path. This selection
is available on a Linux host only if you enable the bridged networking option when
you install GSX Server.
If your host computer is on an Ethernet network, bridged networking is often the
easiest way to give your virtual machine access to that network. On a Windows host,
you can use bridged networking to connect to either a wired or a wireless network.
On a Linux host, you can use bridged networking to connect to a wired network.
If you use bridged networking, your virtual machine needs to have its own identity on
the network. For example, on a TCP/IP network, the virtual machine needs its own IP
Host
Ethernet
adapter
Virtual machine
Virtual
Ethernet
adapter
Virtual Ethernet switch
(VMnet0)
Virtual bridge