When you select a custom configuration, the New Virtual Machine wizard prompts you to configure the network connection type for the virtual machine.
If you are creating a remote virtual machine, you must select either a custom network or no network connection.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Use bridged networking | Configure a bridged network connection for the virtual machine. With bridged networking, the virtual machine has direct access to an external Ethernet network. The virtual machine must have its own IP address on the external network. If your host system is on a network and you have a separate IP address for your virtual machine (or can get an IP address from a DHCP server), select this setting. Other computers on the network can then communicate directly with the virtual machine. |
| Use network address translation (NAT) | Configure a NAT connection for the virtual machine. With NAT, the virtual machine and the host system share a single network identity that is not visible outside the network. Select NAT if you do not have a separate IP address for the virtual machine, but you want to be able to connect to the Internet. |
| Use host-only networking | Configure a host-only network connection for the virtual machine. Host-only networking provides a network connection between the virtual machine and the host system, using a virtual network adapter that is visible to the host operating system. With host-only networking, the virtual machine can communicate only with the host system and other virtual machines in the host-only network. Select host-only networking to set up an isolated virtual network. |
| Do not use a network connection | Do not configure a network connection for the virtual machine. |
| Custom (Windows host) or Named Network (Linux host) | (Remote virtual machine only) Select a specific virtual network. |
See Configuring Network Connections for information about virtual switches, virtual network adapters, the virtual DHCP server, and the NAT device.
