How to set up VM to be connected when not on LAN?

[jyip]

Hi,

I'm new at setting up networks and VMs, but I want to use my laptop when I'm not at home to connect to VM's created by desktop. I can connect to VM using the LAN IP Address, but how would I be able to connect to this VM if I wasn't on lan?

Host OS Windows 7, VM OS Ubuntu.

[Perryg]

Add a second network adapter set to host-only so the guest and host can talk locally without a Lan connection.
See chapter 6 in your VirtualBox users guide.

[jyip]

I've added a second network adapter set to host-only but how do I know what IP address to put in RDC? I want to be able to connect from my laptop while I'm on the go and also allow other people to connect from their homes. I am also running Comcast residential internet through a router if this helps.

[Perryg]

Ok that's different. I thought you were wanting to connect to the guests on the laptop while not on a LAN.

To be able to connect to the home network from the road you would need to port forward from the router to the host, and/or the guest/s.
For this you can use NAT and port forwarding or Bridged mode for the guests. (no need for host-only in this configuration).

Note: Some ports from your ISP may be blocked. They do this to keep you from serving web pages, email, or FTP servers from your home.

Be advised that this creates a major security risk for you. If you don't know how to lock this network down anyone with even a small amount of networking knowledge will be able to take total control of this home network.

[jyip]

Got it to work, thanks! If there is any security related articles that I can help make this more secure, lmk. So far I have it External authentication using username and pass.