When using NAT networking in a virtual machine with a Windows guest operating system running on a Windows host, you can use NetLogon to log on to a Windows domain from the virtual machine. You can then access file shares known by the WINS server in the domain.

To use NetLogon, you need to know how WINS servers and Windows domain controllers work. This section explains how to set up the virtual machine to use NetLogon. The setup process is similar to the way you set up a physical computer on one LAN that is using a domain controller on another LAN.

In order to log on to a Windows domain outside the virtual NAT network, the virtual machine needs access to a WINS server for that domain. There are two ways you can connect the virtual machine to a WINS server. You can connect to the WINS server provided by the DHCP server used on the NAT network, provided that the WINS server is already set up on the host. If you want to connect from the virtual machine to a WINS server not set up on the host, you can manually enter the IP address of the WINS server.

In order to use this method, a WINS server in the same workgroup or domain must be set up on the host. These steps use Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 as a guide. The process is similar for Windows NT, Windows Me and Windows 9x guests.

1. In the virtual machine, right-click on My Network Places and select Properties.

2. In the Network Connections window, right-click the virtual network adapter and select Properties.

3. In the Properties dialog box, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties.

4. In the TCP/IP Properties dialog box, click Advanced.

5. Click the WINS tab, then under NetBIOS setting, select Use NetBIOS setting from DHCP Server.

6. Click OK twice, then click Close.

Use this method to connect to a WINS server in the same workgroup or domain that is not already set up on the host.

1. In the virtual machine, right-click on My Network Places and select Properties.

2. In the Network Connections window, right-click the virtual network adapter and select Properties.

3. In the Properties dialog box, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties.

4. In the TCP/IP Properties dialog box, click Advanced.

5. Click the WINS tab, then click Add.

6. In the TCP/IP WINS Server dialog box, enter the IP address for the WINS server in the WINS server field, then click OK. The IP address of the WINS server appears in the WINS addresses list on the WINS tab.

Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each WINS server to which you want to connect from this virtual machine.

7. Click OK twice, then click Close.

Now that the virtual machine has an IP address for a WINS server, you use NetLogon in the virtual machine to log on to a domain and access shares in that domain.

For example, if the WINS server covers a domain with a domain controller, it is possible to access that domain controller from the virtual machine and add the virtual machine to the domain. You need to know the user ID and password of the Administrator on the domain controller.