Creating Virtual Lab

[Cybot]

Hello , This is my first post on forum.Forgive if posted in wrong section.
I read the virtualbox documentation specifically networking section.This scenario is needed for Project.
How can i create virtual lab using virtual machine.I have sets of windows xp's VM's.
I wanted to create a scenario and like attacker(Bad guy) , victim(probably server) ,Zombies(hacked by attacker),clients(legitimate users).
So I wanted to create this scenario where each PC in network has different IP's (Each VM will have different IP's). They must reachable when ping.
Host system does not essentially needed to be involved unless this scenario can not be simulated without it.

This is purely for educational purpose.

I read that there are 8 types networking modes.
Bridged , host only , internal networking? which one to use? Can any one point me please ?
I think its like router/switch/hub whatever , all this different VM's needed to have connectivity , they must have something in common , medium that can direct there packets.
And i'm confused on how to proceed further? If possible , please tell me how to do it? DO i really needed physical router/switch for this ?I don't have that much amount,can't buy them?

Kindly help.

[BillG]

Yes, that can be done if your machine has the CPU power and memory to run multiple virtual machines. Can you run several XP vms at the same time?

I would use the internal network. All you need to do is use the same name for the internal network and all machines will be in the same network. I can't think why you would need a router if you put all the virtual machines in the same IP subnet.

[Cybot]

Yes i have lot of fire power 4 cores and 8 GB and 320 GB HDD ...
Router was suggestion given me by teacher ...he said its better to use actual PC and then connect them using router..and all..
I said..Sir there is technology named Virtualbox..which can do that..he said that it will be emulation/simulator....I was little shocked..Cuz even both result will be same..I dont know why they think Virtual Machines are nothing but simulation..Arrrr

thank you ..i will use internal network idea as suggested by you..Will post Soon..After successful run !!

Thank you BillG

[BillG]

You will need a router if you want to connect all of this to the Internet, but that router can also be a vm if the host machine has an Internet connection which can be used by the virtual router. The configuration will be exactly the same as connecting a domain running on a physical switch to the Internet.

I first began using virtual machines because I was into networking and I wanted to build complex networks without having a mountain of physical components.