Workstation Player provides bridged networking, network address translation (NAT), and host-only networking to configure a virtual machine for virtual networking. The software that you need for all networking configurations is installed on the host system when you install Workstation Player
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Understanding Virtual Networking Components The virtual networking components in Workstation Player include virtual switches, virtual network adapters, the virtual DHCP server, and the NAT device.
Understanding Common Networking Configurations You can configure bridged networking, NAT, and host-only networking for virtual machines. You can also use the virtual networking components to create sophisticated custom virtual networks.
Configuring Bridged Networking When you install Workstation Player on a Windows or Linux host system, a bridged network (VMnet0) is set up for you. Bridged networking connects a virtual machine to a network by using the network adapter on the host system. If the host system is on a network, bridged networking is often the easiest way to give the virtual machine access to that network.
Configuring Network Address Translation When you install Workstation Player on a Windows or Linux host system, a NAT network (VMnet8) is set up for you. When you use the New Virtual Machine wizard to create a typical virtual machine, the wizard configures the virtual machine to use the default NAT network.
Configuring Host-Only Networking When you install Workstation Player on a Windows or Linux host system, a host-only network (VMnet1) is set up for you. Host-only networking is useful if you need to set up an isolated virtual network. In a host-only network, the virtual machine and the host virtual network adapter are connected to a private Ethernet network. The network is completely contained within the host system.
Changing a Networking Configuration You can determine the type of network that a virtual machine is using, add virtual network adapters to a virtual machine, and change the configuration of existing virtual network adapters.
Enable Jumbo Frames With Workstation Player , you can enable jumbo frames for VMware virtual networks.