virtualbox.org

So, I have a Mac running Mavericks and Virtualbox 4.3.10. The guest OS is Windows 8.1.

I am trying to get a bridged connection to the host's wifi. Specifically, I can't use a NATted connection -- the host's connectivity comes in via a wired connection, but I need the guest OS to connect to a wifi test network that we have that is completely separate from the wired network. The host doesn't use the wifi at all, and I am wanting the guest to have exclusive use of that resource.

My attempts to bridge them haven't been successful, it keeps seeing the connection as wired and doesn't allow me to select the SSID. Is what I am attempting possible?

Regardless of network mode, the guest always sees the wired NIC configured in the VM settings. That usually isn't a problem. I don't know about Macs, but on Windows hosts the host can't use the connection if the TCP/IP option is unchecked in the host NICs properties. The guest provides its own TCP/IP stack and hence this doesn't stop the guest from working.

And note as a separate issue: bridging does not always work with wireless NICs.

I'm not sure if this is going to work, but (in line with what mpack said about Windows), go to System Preferences, Network, Airport, Advanced..., TCP/IP, Configure IPv4 -> Off. That should make the hardware available, but your Mac's TCP/IP inactive. If this doesn't work, try it with a Manual setting, which should be something valid but non existent, i.e. 192.168.234.234.