Host-only networking is a type of network connection where the virtual machine is connected to the host operating system on your PC via virtual private network. All virtual machines configured for host-only networking are connected to that private network through a virtual Ethernet adapter or switch that is visible to the host operating system. Typically, all the parties on this virtual private network use the TCP/IP protocol, although other communication protocols may also be used.
The virtual private network is not normally visible outside the host and can be useful if you need to set up an isolated virtual network; for example, an isolated virtual network can be used to test networking software. Host-only networking allows your virtual machines to communicate with each other and with the host even if you do not have an Ethernet card in your PC.
Each virtual machine on the host's virtual private network must be assigned a unique network address. A virtual machine that uses host-only networking may get its network address dynamically from the VMware GSX Server DHCP server running on the host. Otherwise, you can assign a static network address to the virtual machine. In either case it is not necessary to contact your network administrator. >>More information about assigning IP addresses to virtual machines
A virtual machine that uses host-only networking is not able to access remote networks unless a proxy server is configured on the host. >>More information about using proxy servers
To set up a virtual machine for host-only networking you need to add a virtual Ethernet adapter to the virtual machine and mark it as host-only. When VMware GSX Server is installed, a virtual Ethernet adapter is added to the host . The IP address for this adapter, and hence the network number to use for the virtual network, is automatically selected as an unused private IP network number. >>More about the network address of the virtual private network
To set up a virtual machine for host-only networking you need to follow these steps:
Note: With host-only networking, the virtual machine cannot communicate with any systems off the host machine without the use of a proxy server. >>More information about using a proxy server
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