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Using the Guest as Network host

Posted: 25. Apr 2013, 16:07
by jasper580
Hi everyone,
First of all, please bear with my 'extended' knowledge about VirtualBox :oops:
So, I've installed Linux Mint on my PC, and one thing that bothers me is that the network driver has some issues with my USB WiFi adapter: basicly it's not functional enough. So I figured I maybe could run a virtual machine containing Windows and the official driver, and that those provided my Linux environment network connection of my WiFi adapter through the official driver. So now I need to know: is this possible through VirtualBox, and if yes, how?
Thanks in advance

Re: Using the Guest as Network host

Posted: 25. Apr 2013, 16:19
by mpack
If your question is "can I attach a USB WiFi adapter in the guest and share the connection with the host" then the answer is yes, it's possible. However I wouldn't have thought it would be very user friendly, having to boot up a VM before your host can use the internet. Also, not all USB devices work well in a VBox VM - we won't know that until you try it. Better IMHO to get a USB or other WiFi dongle that your host supports properly.

Re: Using the Guest as Network host

Posted: 25. Apr 2013, 16:33
by jasper580
I agree it wouldn't be super-user-friendly, but for me it's the best option at the moment. Unfortunately I've no idea how to configure it. I have a virtual machine with the driver installed already, but I can't find the adapter in USB devices, and I don't know which networking mode I should use. Any help, please? :D

Re: Using the Guest as Network host

Posted: 25. Apr 2013, 17:06
by mpack
You need to create a USB filter to match your device and cause its messages to be redirected to the VM. See the user manual, guest configuration, USB. Also Google for "USB site:forums.virtualbox.org" (internal search does not work for three letter words).