Running a linux based server as a guest on a windows XP host

[toolfan2k4]

Hello all. I am trying to setup a domain for my network. I have my ubuntu server guest already configured but the only network connection I can get to actually connect is the NAT one. As far as I know a server cannot be run through a NAT connection with VBOX. I need a static IP of 192.168.1.7 for the server. I setup the VirtualBox Host Interface 1 and bridged it to my network connection on the host and rebooted. No matter what I do that VirtualBox Host Interface 1 always says A Network Cable Is Unplugged in the host. Also in the guest I get no connection. Is there a way I can make windows automatically forward certain ports to the server guests NAT address since this is the only connection I can get to work? All the documentation I can find for running servers through guests usually pertains to vmware....which I am not a fan of. I am sure that I have ubuntu configured correctly....if I can just get that VirtualBox Host Interface 1 in windows to get a connection I feel I would be set.

Edit:
Even better can I setup the guest to use the same IP as the host? Meaning to access the server from another computer on the network on say port 145 I need to be able to input the hostIP:145. This if I am not mistaken is not possible right?

[Sasquatch]

If you use NAT, you can forward certain ports. See the manual for how to do that (chapter 6 - Networking).