Issue with VMWare workstation network bridging
We found a network bridging issue for a client running VMWare workstation 10. The VM would ‘sometimes’ connect to the production / corporate network and obtain a DHCP address. Othertimes it would not and it would get an APIPA address instead. (169.254.x.x)
Various internet posts suggested
- Disconnecting the Virtual nic – NO SUCCESS
- Upgrade the VM tools – NO SUCCESS
couldn’t even mount the ISO for some reason, so the .iso’s are located here(“C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware View\Client\Local Mode”) for future reference so you can extract and then manually run the installation.
- Remove and re add the NIC – NO SUCCESS
Resolution
Turns out that when bridging mode is set to ‘automatic’ VMWare workstation will bind to any and all available network cards. (Bluetooth, wifi, other VMNics, Virtual box etc) So its a bit of pot luck when it connect to the production network and not the others.
- Open the Virtual Network editor
- Edit the appropriate ‘bridged’ network and select the appropriate NIC to bridge
- Be sure the configuration of the VM’s NIC is set to BRIDGED or is bound to the VMNetX that is configured for bridging.
Note: Besure to run the Virtual Network Editor as an administrator else you will not be able to change settings.
Non Admin
