How to set up network on VirtualBox for Android 2.3

Question

I'm trying to install a VirtualBox virtual machine for developing on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) but I cannot properly configure the internet connection.

I followed many tutorials on the web and tried to apply some workaround suggested here on StackOverflow (for example Android x86 porting, unable to make it work ), but I still can't connect from my Android machine.

Some details:

• When I execute netcfg on android console it returns only the lo interface (127.0.0.1).
• The iso image I'm using is "android-x86-2.3-RC1-asus_laptop.iso" downloaded from http://www.android-x86.org/download. I use it on a Lenovo notebook with Windows 7 (but I've tried also on Ubuntu 11.04 Natty).
• I've tried to setup both host-only and bridged interface on my virtual machine, but they don't seem to work.

Solution 1

If you are going to be using VirtualBox, you need to use the eeepc.iso image not the asus-laptop.iso image.

Also, you will want to double check a few settings on your VM to make sure they are configured correctly:

• OS Type: Linux 2.6
• Memory: 256MB or more
• Sound: Sound Blaster 16
• Network: NAT or Bridged, the adapter must be PC-net-FAST III

From http://www.android-x86.org/documents/virtualboxhowto

I also found the following two things to be very helpful:

• Disable Mouse Integration (under the Machine Menu)
• Once the VM has started, open the app drawer and launch Settings. Find the ethernet section and enable it. You should see an eth0 device you can configure.

Solution 2

An answer for Android 4.0, which is a combination of Goyuix's advice and other information on the internet.

1. download the ASUS eeepc iso
2. Choose Linux 2.6 32bit and PC-net fast III in the VM settings in Virtual Box.
3. Install the OS. Create a "bootable" "primary" partition, and install OS as "read write".
4. In Android 4.0 there's no Ethernet configuration in the settings page. Instead:
5. Hit Alt+F1 to bring up the console.
6. Type "netcfg". You should see "eth0" in the list.
7. Follow the instructions here. For the sake of SO community they're reproduced as below:
8. execute ifconfig eth0 up. (Note it is not "ipconfig"!)
9. execute dhcpcd -LK -d eth0.
10. Find out the DNS server's address in your network. In a typical setup this is the "default gateway" address of ipconfig on the host machine. Now execute setprop net.dns1 192.168.56.1, substitute the correct IP address.
11. Hit Alt+F7 to exit the console. It's still says "no connection" at the bottom right. But internet is working. Open the browser to verify.

Comments

[davioooh]

Which host OS are you using? and which VirtualBox version?

[Daniel]

<h1> OS: windows 7 and Fedora</h1> <br><br/> <h2> virtual box: 4.1.8 </h2>

[gumuruh]

does anyone could share me a bit, in which configuration that eepc & asus android version that makes it differences while running the VBox?

[AntonK]

Thanks for the answer! Changing the adapter to PC-net-FAST III was the missing part in my setup.