VirtualBox with Windows7 connection to MCE Extender?

[awmeister]

I've been reading 100 of posts on various forums but it still remains an unanswered question whether I can connect my MCE Extender (a Linksys DMA2200) to a Windows7 Media Center running in an virtual environment (VirtualBox).

I'm running the VirtualBox on my Windows Home Server.

Can you guys help? (I'm getting kinda frustrated

Thanks

[Perryg]

First thing that we will need is some information. Without that we know less than you do.

[awmeister]

Okay, maybe I was a little short on info

This is the scenario:
I have a Windows Home Server running on my ASUS Eee Box. I've allowed access to my media libraries via the Media Center Add-In in Windows Home Server Console.

Then I have a Media Center Extender (Linksys DMA2200) that is connected to my home network. I want this extender to be able to play the content of the media libraries on my Windows Home Server, but it requires a Vista/Win7 Media Center. I've therefore set up a VirtualBox running Windows 7 where the required Media Center is running. My problem is, that when Media Center searches for an Extender, it cannot find any (I've off course entered the setup key from the extender in Media Center).

Please ask for more info if required.

Thanks for your help.

[mpack]

What network mode did you set up for the Windows Server VM? It should be "Bridged Network" (AKA "Host Interface Network" depending on which VBox version you are using).

[awmeister]

@mpack: YOU ARE THE BEST!!! Endless hours of tweaking, configuring and calibrating has ended with your reply. THANKS so much.

As it might show, I'm a noob in this area, so maybe this was one of the most obvious things I should have done from the start, but I didn't - so thank the cybergod for inventing the Internet and thanks to all the people who are helping others. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away here, but I'm really glad that it finally works.

Cheers!

[mpack]

As it might show, I'm a noob in this area, so maybe this was one of the most obvious things I should have done from the start

No problem, we were all noobs once (especially, in my case, when it comes to networking). Just remember in future that the various network modes are there so that you can control how isolated/safe (or not) your guest is. The default NAT mode allows a guest to initiate conversations with the outside world, eg. for simple internet browsing, but any unsolicited network messages will not reach it. "Not attached" obviously means the guest can't communicate at all, so this is also the safest option of all! "Internal networking": it has full comms with other guests but none with the real world. "Host Only": it has full comms with the host PC, none with the real world. Finally "Bridged Networking": full comms with the outside world, it receives all messages solicited or not.

A server of any kind obviously needs to be able to receive unsolicited messages (requests).