When you configure bridged networking, the virtual machine uses physical network adapters on the host system to connect a network.
If the host system is on a network, bridged networking is often the easiest way to give a virtual machine access to that network.
With bridged networking, the virtual machine appears as an additional computer on the same physical Ethernet network as the host system. The virtual machine can transparently use the services available on the network, including file servers, printers, and gateways. Physical hosts and other virtual machines configured with bridged networking can also use the resources of the virtual machine.
When you use bridged networking, the virtual machine must have its own identity on the network. For example, on a TCP/IP network, the virtual machine must have its own IP address. Virtual machines typically acquire an IP address and other network details from a DHCP server. In some configurations, you might need to set the IP address and other details manually.
Users who boot multiple operating systems often assign the same address to all systems because they assume that only one operating system will be running at the same time. If the host system is set up to boot multiple operating systems and you run one or more of them in virtual machines, configure each operating system with a unique network address.
When the Replicate physical connection state option is selected, the IP address is automatically renewed when you move from one wired or wireless network to another. This setting is useful for virtual machines than run on laptops or other mobile devices.
