Use 3G Modem solely in VMWare and leave broadband ethernet for regular


  1. Posts : 7
    windows 7 64 bit ultimate
       #1

    Use 3G Modem solely in VMWare and leave broadband ethernet for regular


    Hey guys,
    I am trying to setup a virtual machine to use a 3G mobile dialup connection while leaving the regular computer connected and using the ethernet broadband connection.

    I have setup the 3g modem, shared the connection and have it working in the virtual machine - where the virtual machine will not have internet if the 3g connection is not connected. However, everytime I connect the 3G connection the main computer starts using it as well, once I disconnect it, it reverts back to the ethernet connection.

    I am running Windows 7 Ultimate.

    Ideally it would be perfect to just connect the 3G modem directly to the virtual machine, but that doesn't work ( I think because the usb modem has a built in virtual cdrom that it uses for drivers and it interferes - virtual machine won't detect it).

    I have found this: VMware Communities: Assign 3G Modem to a virtual machine but I am not exactly sure what they are recommending?


    I posted this on vmware forums, noone replied however.


    Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #2

    Hi there
    if this is a USB type device then there shouldn't be any problem -- attach the USB while you are logged on to the vm machine and install the software if any -- a Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem works perfectly on an XP VM I'm using (also works on W7 x-86 / x-64 vm's too).

    With Vodafone type devices the software is actually contained within the device itself - once the Windows has detected and installed the hardware driver you will see the device an an extra disk device -- just run the setup.exe ON THE VIRTUAL MACHINE. This type of install CAN be done on a VM.

    If it's a fixed card (older pcmcia type cards) then ???? don't know.

    When using just choose the connection from the network connections box when you want to use the 3G modem device.

    (There are other ways involving Vswitches etc but that's a whole lot more complex and more appropriate for commercial type servers etc.)

    Note - only plug in the device when you are logged on to the VM otherwise the host will get it. !!

    UNPLUG the device BEFORE powering off the VM -- otherwise again the Host will grab the device after the VM is powered off.

    Also you don't need to share the connection either - that can cause other problems. Treat the vm as a TOTALLY separate independent machine on the network.

    Set the VM also in the configuration to use HOST ONLY networking -- this will isolate the VM from being able to use the Host's nic card ( via the vmware "virtual network" card) to access the Internet and ensure that Internet access can ONLY be done via the 3G device.

    I assume the vm machine doesn't need to access other disks or devices on a LAN other than those on the Host machine.

    (If you are using VBOX follow the same type of instructions -- I'm only familiar with VMWARE stuff but from what I've seen VBOX is fairly similar).


    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    windows 7 64 bit ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Jimbo,

    Thank you, this is the way I imagined it will work also. But it doesn't. The VM detects the modem as a cd drive, I install the software, however after no matter what I do it does not detect the modem. This is what I am using. Ovation MC760 3G Mobile Broadband Device | Virgin Mobile

    Do you have any other input, what are vswitches and how would I use them in this application?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #4

    Hi there
    With Vodafone after the software is installed you can just start the Vodafone mobile connect application.

    The actual hardware is a HUAWEI 3g modem -- your sim card will have the connect details on it so you don't have to use the normal built in Windows dial up application. Use the supplied application.

    You can also connect directly without using the Vodafone application by selecting the network ikon in the bottom right (in Windows 7 click on the Monitor or Wireless symbol) It should give you a list of "connectable" Networks -- the Vodafone says something like HUAWEI 3G Modem or whatever.

    I'm sure Virgin / O2 etc using similar devices must work the same way -- if the device works on the HOST there isn't any reason why it should fail on the VM.

    Note you WILL probably need the hardware driver to exist on the HOST also - I haven't tried it yet SOLELY on the VM as I already had the application installed on the Host but it certainly works on the VM.

    It might be your device ISN'T compatable -- the bog standard HUAWEI modem doesn't give any probs.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    windows 7 64 bit ultimate
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Yes, I have read several threads about it being incompatible with virtual systems (although I am not exactly sure why). This is why I am trying to figure out how to route my networking needs on the host system.
      My Computer


 

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