Enabling Wifi in Ubuntu (os x mavericks host)

[Eric Martz]

I am very new to linux and virtualbox so please excuse me for my ignorance. I have my virtualbox running the latest version of Ubuntu on my 2012 macbook pro and I cannot get the virtual machine to connect to wifi. It connects to ethernet but nothing else, it doesn't even scan for networks. It does not seem like Ubuntu knows that my macbook has a wifi card. Please help.
~Eric Martz

I am willing to skype or communicate through other ways.

[Perryg]

Moving to Mac host.

You would need to first remove the adapter from the Mac host and then access it directly from the guest ( not using the VBox network ).
If this is a built in card then it would be impossible. VirtualBox will use the hosts connection via NAT or bridged but it will be as a wired connection.

[loukingjr]

VirtualMachines can't connect to WiFi because they have no virtual WiFi cards to send and receive virtual WiFi signals. They only connect through the host.

[Eric Martz]

If I made ubuntu a non-virtual machine and partition my hard drive with Ubuntu would I then be able to uses wifi?

[loukingjr]

If I made ubuntu a non-virtual machine and partition my hard drive with Ubuntu would I then be able to uses wifi?

yes but, not sure why you would want to do that. If you really want to use wifi on a guest you could buy an external USB wifi adaptor and create a USB filter for it so your Mac doesn't capture it. But your Mac already has wifi and your guest will connect to that so I don't understand why you would want to.

[Eric Martz]

If I made ubuntu a non-virtual machine and partition my hard drive with Ubuntu would I then be able to uses wifi?

yes but, not sure why you would want to do that. If you really want to use wifi on a guest you could buy an external USB wifi adaptor and create a USB filter for it so your Mac doesn't capture it. But your Mac already has wifi and your guest will connect to that so I don't understand why you would want to.

I just want to be able to use wifi on Ubuntu in virtualbox

[loukingjr]

I just want to be able to use wifi on Ubuntu in virtualbox

then you need to buy an adaptor. I wouldn't suggest dual booting OSX and Ubuntu however. Ubuntu, even the Ubuntu Mac .iso doesn't fully support Apple hardware and you would have to find patches and work arounds, and even then not everything will work.

[Eric Martz]

I just want to be able to use wifi on Ubuntu in virtualbox

then you need to buy an adaptor. I wouldn't suggest dual booting OSX and Ubuntu however. Ubuntu, even the Ubuntu Mac .iso doesn't fully support Apple hardware and you would have to find patches and work arounds, and even then not everything will work.

You have been a great help, would you mind linking to a good product so I can purchase it?

[loukingjr]

You have been a great help, would you mind linking to a good product so I can purchase it?

Well I wouldn't mind but I've never had a need or use for a USB wifi adaptor so I have no idea what might be a good product. I would assume any well known name brand would be fine.