VBox Networking

1️⃣ NAT (Network Address Translation)

How it works:

• VM gets a private IP, VirtualBox translates its traffic to the host’s IP for Internet access.
• VM cannot be reached directly from the host or LAN by default.

Connectivity Table:

Direction	Works?
VM → Host	Yes
VM ← Host	No (needs Port Forward)
VM → Internet	Yes
VM ← Internet	No (needs Port Forward)
VM ↔ VM	NO

Key Points:

• Default choice for “just want Internet on VM”
• For SSH or HTTP to VM from host, configure Port Forwarding in VM settings.
• Simple, safe, isolates VM from host/LAN

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2️⃣ Bridged Adapter

How it works:

• VM connects directly to the host’s physical network. - can inspect HOST Packets
• VM behaves like another computer on the same network.

Connectivity Table:

Direction	Works?
VM ↔ Host	Yes
VM ↔ VM1	Yes
VM ↔ Internet	Yes

Key Points:

• VM gets IP from LAN DHCP
• Good for network testing or services that must be reachable from LAN
• Less isolation → less secure

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3️⃣ Internal Network

How it works:

• VM connects to a VirtualBox internal-only network.
• Only VMs on the same internal network can talk to each other.
• No host or internet access.

Connectivity Table:

Direction	Works?
VM ↔ VM1	Yes
VM ↔ Host	No
VM ↔ Internet	No

Key Points:

• Good for isolated testing between multiple VMs
• Each internal network is separate → can have multiple isolated labs

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4️⃣ Host-Only Adapter

How it works:

• Creates a private network between the host and VM(s) only
• No internet access by default

Connectivity Table:

Direction	Works?
VM ↔ Host	Yes
VM ↔ VM1	Yes
VM ↔ Internet	No

Key Points:

• Useful for testing servers/services accessible only from host
• Can combine with NAT to get both internet + host-only access

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5️⃣ Generic Networking

How it works:

• Uses a custom driver, like third-party or experimental network types
• Usually for advanced networking setups

Key Points:

• Rarely used for normal labs
• Only use if you know the driver and setup

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6️⃣ NAT Network

How it works:

• Similar to NAT but allows multiple VMs to communicate on the same NAT network

• Internet access included

• Can configure Port Forwarding

  

Connectivity Table:

Direction	Works?
VM ↔ VM1	Yes
VM ↔ Host	Yes (Port Forward)
VM ↔ Internet	Yes

Key Points:

• Great for multiple VMs needing isolated network + Internet
• Combines NAT isolation with inter-VM connectivity

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7️⃣ Not Attached

How it works:

• No network connection at all

Key Points:

• VM is completely isolated
• Useful for experiments or offline machines

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Logical Summary Table (VM perspective)

Mode	Host Access	VM↔VM	Internet	Key Notes
NAT	Limited (PF)	No	Yes	Default, isolated, Port Forward for host access
Bridged	Yes	Yes	Yes	VM gets LAN IP, visible on network
Internal	No	Yes	No	Fully isolated VM network
Host-Only	Yes	Yes	No	Host↔VM private network
NAT Network	PF	Yes	Yes	NAT + VM communication, more flexible
Generic	Depends	Depends	Depends	Advanced, rare
Not Attached	No	No	No	Offline VM