We would usually just setup a NAT based VM appliance for any new requirement. Most of the time, access is limited to ones desktops. When the need arise for a shared Linux VM on our local Windows 2003 server, the inexperienced may find it trouble setting up the CentOS guest as a reachable application server just like its host OS.

To achieve this, make sure the following items a re true:

• HOST » VMWare » Edit » Virtual Network Editor

1. Automatic Bridging – “Automatically choose an available physical network adapter to bridge to VMNet0″ is UNCHECKED
2. Host Virtual Network Mapping – VMNet0 is mapped to you chosen physical adapter, NOT automatically.
3. You can disable NAT, DHCP and Host Virtual Network Adapters

• HOST » Control Panel » Network Connections

1. Right click your chosen physical adapter, then Properties. Make sure “VMWare Bridge Protocol” is CHECKED.

• GUEST – Assign an unused static IP, the same network/netmask and gateway that is used on your host’s physical adapter.

Other items worth checking when inbound and outbound connections from the guest OS:

• Host firewall
• Guest DNS server settings, resolv.conf.

This checklist should get you up and running with a virtualized development platform with the same network visibility as a physical machine in your office.