How to Troubleshoot the VMware Network

VMware incorporates network hardware into virtual environments for testing purposes.

VMware provides software for creating virtual operating systems. It is particularly useful for programmers developing software intended for broad circulation across many different system environments. VMware creates environments that mimic different hardware configurations. These environments can hold any operating system. Furthermore, VMware creates virtual networks between the virtual systems. It also accesses real world networks such as LANs and the Internet. Unfortunately, the amount of variability in VMware environments renders it vulnerable to networking errors. Therefore, VMware developers have devised methods for coping with difficult networking situations.

Instructions

Verify the Network Type

1. Determine the network type that should be used from the following:

   Bridged networks support virtual machines that provide services and need access to a real world network connection.

   Host-only networks support virtual machines on a virtual basis, providing them a virtual LAN network with other virtual machines on the system.

   Network Address Translating (NAT) networking supports virtual machines that do not provide services but require a real world network connection.

2. Access the network settings by right-clicking the network icon and selecting "Edit Connection." A dialog box will pop up with a set of network preferences.

3. Open the preferences for the specific network that is being troubleshooted. Click the name of the network, then click "Edit."

4. In the drop box for "Network Type," select the appropriate network as determined in the first step of this part.

Check That Necessary Processes are Running

1. Launch the process monitor. In Windows, press "Ctrl," "Alt," and "Delete" simultaneously. In Linux, click "System," "Administration," then "System Monitor."

2. Verify that the correct processes are displayed in the process manager. On Linux, these would be "/usr/bin/vmnet-bridge" for bridged networking or "/usr/bin/vmnet-natd" and "/usr/bin/dhcpd" for NAT networking. For Windows, make sure that "vmnat.exe" and "vmnetdhcp.exe" are running for NAT networking.

3. If the necessary programs are not running, activate them. In Linux, press "Ctrl," "Alt," and "t" simultaneously to reach the terminal, then type the name of the necessary process and press "Enter." For Windows, click "Start," then "Run," then type the name of the necessary process, and press "Enter."

Ping the Host

1. Launch the command prompt. In Windows, click "Start," then "Run," then type "CMD.EXE" and press "Enter." In Linux, press "Ctrl," "Alt," and "t" simultaneously.

2. Ping the host. At the command prompt, type "ping <IP ADDRESS>", replace "<IP ADDRESS>" with the IP address of the network host or router. If you do not know the IP address, ask the server administrator or Internet Service Provider.

3. Contact the host administrator if the command prompt reports that the ping failed. If the host is a local router, call the router manufacturer. If the host is on a LAN, contact the network administrator. If the host is an Internet Service Provider, call it.

4. Explain that the DNS server is not connecting correctly and follow the recommended support steps.

Reinstall VMware Bridging on Windows

1. Access the list of network connections by clicking "Start," then "Settings," then "Network and Dial-up Connections."

2. Launch the network properties dialog by right-clicking the network and selecting "Properties."

3. Uninstall VMware bridging. Click "VMware Bridge Protocol," then click "Uninstall."

4. Install VMware bridging. Click "Install," "Service," "Add." Select "VMware Bridge Protocol" and click "OK."

5. Restart the computer.

Reconfigure VMware Bridging on Linux

1. Launch the terminal by pressing "Ctrl," "Alt," and "t" simultaneously.

2. Reconfigure VMware bridging. At the command prompt, type "sudo /usr/bin/vmware-config.pl" and press "Enter." The terminal will prompt for a password. Type it and press "Enter."

3. Restart the computer when the process finishes.

References

• VMware: Network Basics
• VMware Knowledge Base: Troubleshooting Network Connection Failures
• VMware Knowledge Base: Understanding Network Types in Hosted Products.