Connecting Ubuntu VMs WiFi Network Adaptor on VirtualBox in Windows 10
If you are running Ubuntu virtual machines (VMs) on VirtualBox in a Windows 10 host and are having trouble managing and connecting the VM's WiFi network adaptor, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to properly configure and connect your Ubuntu VMs to a WiFi network adaptor on VirtualBox in Windows 10.
Prerequisites
- A Windows 10 host machine
- VirtualBox installed on the Windows 10 host
- Ubuntu VMs running on VirtualBox
Step 1: Check the VirtualBox Host-Only Network
The first step is to check the VirtualBox Host-Only Network. This network is used by VirtualBox to allow communication between the host and the guest VMs. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the VirtualBox application on your Windows 10 host
- Click on "File" in the top menu and select "Host Network Manager"
- Check if the "VirtualBox Host-Only Ethernet Adapter #X" is enabled. If not, enable it by clicking on the "Enable" button.
Step 2: Add a New VirtualBox Host-Only Network
If the VirtualBox Host-Only Network is already enabled, you can proceed to adding a new VirtualBox Host-Only Network. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the VirtualBox application on your Windows 10 host
- Click on "File" in the top menu and select "Host Network Manager"
- Click on the "Add host-only network" button
- Set the "IPv4 Address" to
192.168.56.1and the "IPv4 Network Mask" to255.255.255.0 - Click "OK" to save the changes
Step 3: Configure the Ubuntu VM Network Settings
The next step is to configure the Ubuntu VM network settings. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the VirtualBox application on your Windows 10 host
- Select the Ubuntu VM you want to configure
- Click on "Settings" in the top menu
- Select "Network" in the left menu
- Under "Adapter 1", select "Host-only Adapter" as the "Attached to" option
- Under "Adapter 2", select "NAT" as the "Attached to" option. This will allow the Ubuntu VM to access the internet.
- Click "OK" to save the changes
Step 4: Connect to the WiFi Network on the Ubuntu VM
The final step is to connect to the WiFi network on the Ubuntu VM. To do this, follow these steps:
- Start the Ubuntu VM
- Open the terminal application
- Type
sudo apt-get install wireless-toolsto install the wireless tools - Type
sudo iwlist scanto scan for available WiFi networks - Find the name of the WiFi network you want to connect to
- Type
sudo iwconfig wlan0 essid "NetworkName" key s:NetworkPasswordto connect to the WiFi network. Replace "NetworkName" and "NetworkPassword" with the actual name and password of the WiFi network.
In this article, we have provided a detailed guide on how to connect Ubuntu VMs to a WiFi network adaptor on VirtualBox in Windows 10. We have covered the following key concepts:
- Checking the VirtualBox Host-Only Network
- Adding a new VirtualBox Host-Only Network
- Configuring the Ubuntu VM network settings
- Connecting to the WiFi network on the Ubuntu VM
References
- VirtualBox Manual - Host-only Networking
- Ubuntu Forums - VirtualBox Host-Only Networking
- Ask Ubuntu - How do I set up wifi in VirtualBox?
Note: The references provided are for informational purposes only and may not be up-to-date. Always refer to the official documentation for the most accurate information.