Windows XP guest on Windows 8 host with host-only network

[RFex]

Hi,
I'm using VirtualBox on a Windows 8 host. I created two Windows XP (SP3) guests.
I have used the host-only network configuration for connecting guest machines and host.

I'm not able to connect the two Windows XP guest on the network!

The configuration is the following:

Adapter VirtualBoxHostOnlyNetwork 192.168.56.101 (subnet 255.255.255.0) in network preferences.

The first Windows XP guest has the following IP: 192.168.56.201.
The second Windows XP guest has the following IP: 192.168.56.202.

I have set on both the gateway 192.168.56.101...but the result is the same, with or without gateway info.

I have enabled the file and printer sharing on the network of the two guests.

The result of this configuration is the following:

- the windows 8 host can ping both guest machines with a correct result.
- the windows xp guest CANNOT ping the other windows xp guest (the result is request timed out!) either if it's visible in the workgroup defined (named Stage)

Any hint?

Regards.

[Perryg]

The host only adapter *DOES NOT* have/use a gateway.
It is intended to connect the host and guest only and not the Internet so no gateway.

[BillG]

In any case, a gateway is not required to communicate between two devices on the same network an in the same IP subnet. The devices communicate directly "on the wire" using hardware (MAC) addressing. A gateway would not be used even if it was present. The default gateway is only referenced when the traffic is to be routed (ie sent to a device in a different IP subnet).

The host only network is only intended to communicate between the host and guest, not between guests. If you require communication between vms, use a private virtual network or bridged networking.

[RFex]

Hi,

I have used host-only network because in the help manual is written:
-------
6.7. Host-only networking
Host-only networking is another networking mode that was added with version 2.2 of VirtualBox. It can be thought of as a hybrid between the bridged and internal networking modes: as with bridged networking, the virtual machines can talk to each other and the host as if they were connected through a physical Ethernet switch.
-------

I need to connect the two guest because I use one of that for IIS and the web application and the other for SQL database. So the guests need to be connected on the network.
Either the host need to access the guest so I can update the web application and the database.

So, the internal network is not good: the host isn't connected to the guests machine.

I will try bridged network.

I update You.

Thanks.

[RFex]

Hi,

I have tried with bridged network...

The first Windows XP guest is:

IP 192.168.137.247
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.137.1

The second Windows XP guest is:

IP 192.168.137.105
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.137.1

The Windows 8 host used adapter is the LAN wireless WiFi:

IP 192.168.137.181
subnet 255.255.255.0
gateway 192.168.137.1

I have obtained the following results:

- when the WiFi adapter is connected the host CAN access guests
- when the WiFi adapter is connected the guest CANNOT access each other

- when the WiFi adapter is NOT connected the host CANNOT access guests
- when the WiFi adapter is NOT connected the guest CANNOT access each other

So, it seems worster than host-only network...

I have used the wireless adapter for network because che host is not connected on the network with a cable.

Any hint?

Regards.

PS. I'm using VB 4.3.6.r9

[Perryg]

I would put it back to host only, not set a gateway, and then see why it is not working. Most likely the hosts firewall or virus software.

Note1: the guests should be able to talk to each other using host-only but by setting a gateway they are trying to go to something that does not exist to get to the LAN.

Note2: bridged on some wireless APs doesn't work, so that might be the issue now.

Note3: ping may not be reliable since ICMP may be disabled on the host or by virus software. Make sure it is enabled.

[RFex]

Hi,

I'm back to host-only network configuration. The gateway now is 0.0.0.0.
The IP address are configured statically. Is it right?

I have tried to disable guest and host firewall and antivirus.
There aren't changes!
Windows 8 host continue to communicate with the Windows XP guests. The Windows XP guests aren't connected!

I have configured a database installation from the Windows 8 host to one of the Windows XP guests. It's ok!

I need only to connect between the two guests!

Any other hint?

[Perryg]

The gateway now is 0.0.0.0.

This is not the same as no gateway
Leave it blank.