VMWare Workstation Pro: Resolving Static IP Assignment Issue with Two VMs (Kali Ubuntu)
VMWare Workstation Pro is a powerful virtualization platform that allows users to create and run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical machine. In this article, we will discuss a common issue that arises when assigning static IP addresses to two VMs running Kali Ubuntu, and provide a step-by-step guide to resolving it.
Background
When creating multiple VMs in VMWare Workstation Pro, it is often necessary to assign static IP addresses to ensure consistent network communication between the VMs and other devices on the network. This is especially true when performing security testing or other network-related tasks that require a predictable IP address scheme.
However, a strange issue can arise when assigning static IP addresses to two VMs running Kali Ubuntu. Specifically, even after configuring the network adapter settings with a custom VMnet8 interface and a static IP address, the VMs may still be unable to communicate with each other or other devices on the network.
Cause
The cause of this issue is related to the way that VMWare Workstation Pro handles network adapter settings for VMs. By default, VMWare Workstation Pro uses NAT (Network Address Translation) to provide network connectivity to VMs. However, when configuring static IP addresses, it is necessary to switch to a bridged network adapter or a custom VMnet interface.
When using a custom VMnet interface, such as VMnet8, VMWare Workstation Pro creates a new virtual network that is isolated from the physical network. This can cause issues with network communication between VMs, especially when multiple VMs are configured with static IP addresses on the same virtual network.
Resolution
To resolve this issue, it is necessary to perform the following steps:
Shut down both VMs and close VMWare Workstation Pro.
Open the VMnet8 configuration settings by navigating to Edit > Virtual Network Editor in VMWare Workstation Pro.
In the Virtual Network Editor, ensure that the VMnet8 interface is set to "Host-only" mode, and that the "Subnet address" is set to a unique IP address range, such as 192.168.100.0.
Start both VMs and configure the network adapter settings to use the VMnet8 interface and a static IP address within the configured IP address range.
Test network communication between the VMs by pinging each VM from the other.
Code Block Example
The following code block shows an example of configuring the network adapter settings for a Kali Ubuntu VM in VMWare Workstation Pro:
1. Right-click on the VM and select "Settings"
2. Click on the "Network Adapter" settings
3. Select "Custom: VMnet8" as the network connection
4. Check the "Connect at power on" option
5. Click on the "IPv4 Settings" tab
6. Select "Manual" as the IPv4 method
7. Enter a static IP address, such as 192.168.100.10
8. Enter a subnet mask, such as 255.255.255.0
9. Enter a default gateway, such as 192.168.100.1
10. Enter a DNS server, such as 8.8.8.8
In this article, we discussed a common issue that arises when assigning static IP addresses to two VMs running Kali Ubuntu in VMWare Workstation Pro. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can resolve this issue and ensure consistent network communication between VMs and other devices on the network.