Trying to make my USB Wifi adapter work on Virtualbox (Kali Guest, Windows host)

Question

I'm trying to make Kali Linux run under Virtualbox, with my Windows 10 PC. I recently bought a USB WIFI adapter (Realtek RTL8812au), and I'm trying to USB passthrough the adapter to my Kali VM.

Thing is, every tutorial has the same method, and it doesn't work for me. VirtualBox seems to pick it up for a second and then nothing happens.

So I installed the Virtualbox extension pack, made a USB filter for my adapter, then before starting the VM I unplug my WIFI adapter (which is the only one I have on my PC btw), I wait for the VM to start, login to Kali, and then replug it. Thing is, I hear the Windows USB on sound, but Windows doesn't use it for network (which is supposed to happen). Virtualbox's USB Icon flashed red once, then green, then the dot disappears and Kali doesn't detect any USB adapter.

I really don't understand why it is working for everybody, but not me ^^

I also have Connectify and the Realtek utility installed on my PC, and yes I tried with those two disabled and it doesn't work either.

Can anyone help me ?

Thanks !

Solution

Perhaps the adapter presents one set of USB ID information when it needs firmware loaded, and another after loading the firmware? And so your Virtualbox USB filter applies only to the "before-firmware" case? Then Kali loads the firmware to the adapter, the adapter resets to activate the firmware, and then the filter won't match any more as the adapter is now presenting different ID.

If that's true, then you would either need two filters, or adjust your existing USB filter to be applicable for both situations.

Comments

[Bart]

did you have a look at forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=82639? . basically, you need to add the adapter to USB Devices, remove the adapter, start the VM and THEN INSERT the usb adapter.

[Nathan Dubuc]

It is exactly what i'm doing but it still doesn't work :/

[Bart]

in “Devices” menu > “Network Adapters“, is the adapter listed if you choose attached to "Bridged adapter" instead of NAT?

[Nathan Dubuc]

Since I want my adapter to be directly detected by the guest, I disabled every network settings for that guest on Virtualbox settings. So I have nothing enabled in VB's "Network" settings

[kemotep]

@NathanDubuc part of the issue with using a USB wireless adapter and a virtual machine is many times the host will not pass the device on in the way you want it to. You can certainly use a usb Wireless adapter for your network connection on the VM, the VM will just see it as an ethernet connection, not wireless. That is why user Bart is having you look under Network adapters.

[Pierre.Vriens]

please explain why this is an/the answer ...