Understanding VMware Network Modes: Bridge, NAT, and Host‑Only Explained

Bridge Mode

In Bridge mode VMware creates a virtual network bridge that connects the virtual machine to the physical network through the host's NIC, allowing the VM to obtain an IP address from the same router as the host. All devices share the same subnet, so the VM and host can ping each other (provided the firewall on the public network is disabled).

Advantages: All machines on the LAN can access the VM.

Disadvantages: No privacy—any LAN device can reach the VM, which may raise security concerns and consume LAN IP addresses. The limited size of a /24 subnet (254 usable IPs) can become a constraint.

NAT Mode (VMnet8)

VMware creates a private network (VMnet8) shared between the host and its VMs. The host performs network address translation, allowing VMs to access external networks using the host's IP while external hosts cannot directly reach the VMs.

The host creates a virtual router that assigns subnet IPs to the VMs. Both the host and VMs reside on the same subnet, so they can ping each other (again, the firewall on the public network must be disabled). The virtual adapter created for this purpose is called VMnet8 .

Host‑Only Mode (VMnet1)

In Host‑Only mode a single private network (VMnet1) is created that connects only the host and its VMs. The VMs cannot communicate with external networks, but the host can access the VMs and vice‑versa because they share the same virtual subnet.

The host creates a virtual NIC named VMnet1 and connects it to a virtual switch, forming a subnet where the host and VMs can ping each other, but the VMs have no Internet access.