VirtualBox Server Access from Host

Greetings, Dev! If you’re looking for an easy way to access a VirtualBox server from your host, look no further than this article. We’ll go step-by-step through the process so you can get up and running in no time.

Step 1: Set up the VirtualBox Server

The first step is to set up the VirtualBox server. You’ll need to have VirtualBox installed on your host, as well as a Linux distribution for your server. Once you have those installed, create a new virtual machine for your server and configure it to your desired specifications.

Next, configure your server’s network settings. You’ll want to set the network adapter to Bridged Adapter so that it can connect to your host’s network. If you’re not sure how to do this, check out the VirtualBox documentation for more information.

Once you’ve configured the network settings, start up your server and make note of its IP address. You’ll need this later to connect to your server from your host.

Step 2: Install OpenSSH Server

Now that your server is up and running, it’s time to install OpenSSH Server. This will allow you to remotely access your server from your host.

To install OpenSSH Server, open up a terminal on your server and run the following command:

sudo

apt-get

install

openssh-server

Once the installation is complete, you should be able to SSH into your server from your host machine.

Step 3: Configure Port Forwarding

Before you can access your server from your host, you’ll need to configure port forwarding. This will allow your host to access your server’s SSH port.

To configure port forwarding, open up VirtualBox and select your server’s virtual machine. Click on the “Settings” button and then select “Network” from the left-hand menu. Click on the “Port Forwarding” button and then click the “+” button to add a new port forwarding rule.

For the host IP, enter “127.0.0.1” and for the host port, enter “2222”. For the guest IP, enter your server’s IP address and for the guest port, enter “22”. Click “OK” to save the port forwarding rule.

Step 4: Connect to Your Server from Your Host

With your server set up and port forwarding configured, you’re now ready to connect to your server from your host. Open up a terminal on your host and run the following command:

ssh

-p

2222

user@localhost

Replace “user” with the username of your server, and enter the password when prompted. You should now be connected to your server and able to run commands and perform tasks from your host.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my server’s IP address?

To find your server’s IP address, open up a terminal on your server and run “ifconfig”. Look for the IP address listed next to “inet addr” for the network adapter you set to Bridged Adapter in VirtualBox.

Can I use a different SSH port?

Yes, you can use a different SSH port. In step 3, instead of using port 2222, you can use a different port of your choosing. Just be sure to set up the port forwarding rule correctly in VirtualBox.

Why isn’t my server connecting?

If you’re having trouble connecting to your server, double-check that you’ve set up the port forwarding rule correctly and that you’re using the correct credentials (username and password) for your server. You may also want to check your server’s firewall settings to make sure port 22 (or whichever port you’re using) is open.

Can I access my server from anywhere?

If you want to access your server from outside your home network, you’ll need to set up additional port forwarding rules on your router. You may also want to look into setting up a VPN for added security.

Is there a graphical interface for accessing my server?

Yes, you can use a graphical interface such as PuTTY or WinSCP to access your server. These tools provide a user-friendly interface for working with your server’s command line.