How to share Internet connection of VMWare guest with host in VMWare Player?

Question

I have a cheap 3G Internet stick with no driver support for my current operating system, yet that is currently my only way to get online. I had no trouble getting a connection with VMWare Player and XP as guest, but how do I share this connection with my host operating system (Windows 8)?

I tried NAT which according to VMWare doesn't allow the guest to work as a server and thus shouldn't be the proper option. I tried to bridge the connection and use ICS in the guest operating system, but that didn't work either. I'm at my wit's end. Could someone please explain to me how to achieve that connection in a easily to follow way?

Please don't send me any links for more research since I'm writing this from the virtual machine with an Internet Explorer version from the stone age and a terribly small bandwidth, so my browsing experience is already as terrible as it could be. I'd be really grateful for a step by step solution. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Follow the instructions step by step since in some cases the order is important.

Setting up VMware Player

1. Right-click the Network Adapter icon and choose Settings...
2. Make sure the Connected value is checked in the Device status section.
3. Select the Host-only: A private network shared with the host value in the Network connection section and click OK to save the settings

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Setting up Guest (Windows XP)

1. Open Control Panel and proceed to Network and Internet Connections

2. Here you should see two connections: the connection to the host and the connection to the Internet. They won't, most likely, have any precise titles, but you should be able to identify which one is which by connecting and disconnecting the 3G stick

3. Right-click the connection to the Internet, open Properties, Advanced tab and check the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection value in the Internet Connection Sharing section. Then click OK to save the properties

4. Right-click the connection to the host, open Properties, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the General tab and open its Properties. Select the Use the following IP address value and fill in the following:

   IP address:           192.168.17.2
   Subnet mask:          255.255.255.0
   

   Leave all other fields blank and click OK twice to save the properties.

5. Open Control Panel once again, proceed to Windows Firewall, Advanced tab and uncheck the connection to the host in the Network Connection Settings section. Then click OK to save the settings

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Setting up Host (Windows 8)

1. Press Windows » then type View network connections and open it

2. Find the connection called VMware Network Adapter VMnet1, open its properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) in the Networking tab and open its Properties. Make sure the Use the following IP address value is selected and fill in the following:

   IP address:           192.168.17.1
   Subnet mask:          255.255.255.0
   Default gateway:      192.168.17.2
   Preferred DNS server: 192.168.17.2
   

   Leave the alternate DNS server field blank and click OK twice to save the properties.

3. Clear the Default gateway in the same menu before you start to use another Internet connection

The Internet in Windows 8 should now work.

Answer 2

restoring VMWare network setting to defaultfrom Virtual Network Editor Fixed my problem

see the more detailed answer with images at the below post https://superuser.com/a/1130121/57836