virtualbox.org

Hello,

I'm running Ubuntu 16.04 as a guest os on my windows laptop.

After setup it appears to know it's a VM and is using NAT mode to connect to the network via the windows host.

This is great, but what I actually want to do is connect to the wireless network directly from my VM (so I can write some user instructions on how to do so). So I want the guest OS to see and use the host wireless adapter, not use the host's existing wireless connection. I hope that makes sense. Is that possible?

Thanks

Depends. Some USB wireless adapters don't play well, but if you find one that does then yes. You attach the device via USB and do not setup the network in the VirtualBox guest settings since it will be passed to the guest as a USB device. Then make sure you have the proper drivers for the guest to be able to use the device.

Thanks,

As this is a laptop it has a built-in wireless adaptor. I found that the networking was set to 'NAT' which I changed to 'Bridged', this seems to make the adaptor visible and I have selected it, I also created a new wireless connection. But I don't think the drivers are installed properly as there are no wireless SSIDs being detected, the wireless icon appears in the toolbar but is empty as if no signal.

I found the Intel 7265 drivers and put the files in /lib/firmware do I need to do anything else to install those drivers? The instructions aren't very helpful

Built in adapters are presented as PCI devices and not USB. Windows hosts can not use the PCI passthrough only Linux so that part is out for you. You would need a USB adapter to allow the guest to use the wireless adapter direct. Presently the wireless device you have is being represented as a cabled device and not wireless, plus it is using the hosts drivers and a special hook from the VirtualBox driver to allow access.

Ah that explains why the ethernet adaptor was shown in the details under the wireless adaptor. Ok, I'll buy myself a wireless USB adaptor and try again.

Just on the off-chance do you have any recommendations for one of those?! Choosing one looks like a bit of a minefield! Doesn't need to be high-powered or AC compatible (though I would buy an AC one if it was reliable)

Not sure which one you need but AC does not matter AFAIK. I have used linksys before with success. I would stay away from d-link with all the hubbub of its failing security going on.

Ok thanks for your help