VMWare 17 Player Linux NAT guest can ping but cannot resolve DNS names

VMWare 17 Player Linux NAT guest can ping but cannot resolve DNS names

If you are using VMWare 17 Player on a Linux host and your NAT guest is able to ping external IP addresses but cannot resolve DNS names, you may be experiencing a common issue with DNS settings. This article will guide you through the steps to resolve this problem and get your guest machine back online.

Understanding the Issue

When you set up a NAT network in VMWare, the guest machine relies on the host machine's DNS settings to resolve domain names. However, sometimes the DNS settings in the guest machine are not configured correctly, leading to the inability to resolve DNS names.

Step 1: Check Host DNS Settings

The first step is to ensure that the DNS settings on your host machine are configured correctly. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal on your Linux host machine.
2. Enter the command cat /etc/resolv.conf and press Enter.
3. Check the output for the line starting with nameserver. This line should contain the IP address of your DNS server.
4. If the line is missing or contains an incorrect IP address, you need to update the DNS settings on your host machine. Consult your network administrator or Internet service provider for the correct DNS server IP address.

Step 2: Update Guest DNS Settings

Once you have verified and updated the DNS settings on your host machine, you need to update the DNS settings in your guest machine. Follow these steps:

1. Start your VMWare 17 Player and power on your guest machine.
2. Log in to your guest machine and open a terminal.
3. Enter the command sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf and press Enter.
4. In the text editor, add the following line at the top of the file:

Replace [DNS server IP address] with the correct IP address of your DNS server.

5. Press Ctrl + X to exit nano and save the changes.
6. Restart your guest machine to apply the new DNS settings.

Step 3: Test DNS Resolution

After updating the DNS settings, you should test if your guest machine can now resolve DNS names. Follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal on your guest machine.
2. Enter the command ping google.com and press Enter.
3. If you receive a response with the IP address of Google, it means DNS resolution is working correctly.
4. If the ping command fails or returns an unknown IP address, double-check your DNS settings in both the host and guest machines.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now have resolved the issue of your VMWare 17 Player Linux NAT guest being able to ping but not resolve DNS names. Double-checking and updating the DNS settings in both the host and guest machines is crucial for proper DNS resolution. If you continue to experience issues, it is recommended to seek further assistance from your network administrator or VMWare support.