Local network between VM and board

3 min read 27-10-2024

the ifix

When working with embedded systems and development boards, networking is an essential skill, especially when you're trying to communicate between a virtual machine (VM) and a physical device. This article will guide you through the process of setting up a local network that connects your VM with a development board, such as Raspberry Pi or Arduino.

Understanding the Problem

Connecting a virtual machine to a development board requires an understanding of networking principles. Specifically, you need to configure the VM's network settings properly to enable communication between the two devices. Here's a simplified explanation of the scenario:

Original Problem Scenario:
"I want to set up a local network between my VM and my board."

Setting Up the Local Network

To achieve this, you'll typically follow these steps:

Configure the Network on the VM: You must set the network adapter of your VM to a bridged mode or host-only mode. This allows the VM to communicate with other devices on the local network, including the development board.
Assign IP Addresses: Ensure that both the VM and the board are on the same IP subnet. This can be done by either using DHCP to assign IPs automatically or assigning static IPs.
Test Connectivity: Once everything is configured, you'll want to test the connection by pinging the IP address of the development board from the VM and vice versa.

Example of VirtualBox Configuration

If you're using VirtualBox, here’s how to set your network settings:

1. Open VirtualBox and select your VM.
2. Click on "Settings" and navigate to the "Network" tab.
3. Enable "Adapter 1" and choose "Bridged Adapter" or "Host-only Adapter" from the drop-down menu.
4. Select the appropriate network interface (usually your Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
5. Click "OK" to save the changes.

Assigning IP Addresses

Assuming your local network is set up with a subnet of 192.168.1.0/24, you can assign IP addresses as follows:

VM IP Address: 192.168.1.100
Development Board IP Address: 192.168.1.200

Practical Example

Here’s a practical example using a Raspberry Pi:

Set Up Your Raspberry Pi:
- Connect it to the same router that the VM is connected to.
- Use a monitor or SSH into the Pi and configure its static IP:
```
sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf
```
  Add the following lines at the end of the file:
```
interface wlan0
static ip_address=192.168.1.200/24
static routers=192.168.1.1
static domain_name_servers=192.168.1.1
```
- Save and reboot.
Connecting from Your VM:
- Open a terminal in your VM (assuming it’s a Linux-based VM).
- Try to ping the Raspberry Pi:
```
ping 192.168.1.200
```
- If successful, you have a local network established!

Additional Tips

Always ensure your firewall settings allow traffic between the VM and the development board.
Use network monitoring tools like nmap to discover devices on your network.
Consider using SSH or FTP to transfer files between the VM and the board.

Conclusion

Setting up a local network between a VM and a development board like Raspberry Pi is a fundamental skill for developers in the embedded systems domain. With the right configuration of network settings, IP addressing, and connectivity testing, this task can be accomplished smoothly.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can establish a robust communication link between your virtual machine and development board, opening doors to endless project possibilities.

Useful Resources

By adhering to these guidelines and utilizing the resources provided, you can enhance your understanding of local networking between virtual machines and development boards, ultimately making your projects more efficient and interconnected.