We use a network bridge when joining two different networks to make them work as a single one. But if you haven’t configured the settings well, this feature might not work for you.

When we use a virtual machine, itcreates a new network adapterfor itself. However, for some reason, you maylose internet accesson your VM if the network bridge setting isn’t done right.

If you want to fix this issue, you’re at the right place. Here, we have discussed what a network bridge is and why it is so important. Also, this article gives an insight on how to resolve the problem within the virtual box settings.

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What is Network Bridge?

Before diving into the main topic, let’s first understand what a Bridge is. Basically, it is a networking device that connects two or more networks into one. This way, you may extend your LAN to a slightly larger area.

Let’s suppose you have set up two different networks at your home or office. But, you want one computer (connected to the first network) to communicate with another computer (connected to the second network).

To do this, you may connect the two networks to a Bridge. This way, you’ll have a single LAN network with two segments working on different collision domains.

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But, if you’re running a virtual machine, you require at least two network adapters. Then, configuring simple Windows settings can help you bridge these connections.

Should You Bridge Two or More Networks?

Well, there are many advantages if you bridge two or more networks. Here’s a list that includes why you should bridge network:

How to Fix Network Bridge Not Working in Virtual Machines

Most of us have faced network bridge issues while using virtual machines. Whether you useVMWare or Oracle VirtualBox, you may easily set up bridged network settings on them. Below are some general fixes you can try if the network bridge is not working in your VM.

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Select Bridged Option From Network Adapter Settings

The first thing to check is whether you have chosen the right Network Connection. Well, you must select the Bridged option in Virtual Machine Settings for the network bridge to work fine.

Basically, you’ll find other options too – NAT, Host-Only, Generic, etc. But we can’t achieve a bridged network if any of these is chosen.

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