Virtualbox sharing a folder between host and guest

[Eadwine Rose]

I might just as well start a new topic in a proper section

As one can read in this topic I got this thing to work on my system, AND I managed to get it to scan something to boot. I am glad my ventures helped others too!

Anyway.. using the email account I could send the scanned file onward, plucking it out of the virtual word into the real world.

Now it is time to look at how I can do this without the internet as a go-between.

Of course I am reading the FM, but I don't quite get it still, so.. here I am again, hollering for help


Going to the manual, page 44:

In order to use this feature, the VirtualBox Guest Additions have to be installed

check

Shared Folders are limited to Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Linux 2.4 and 2.6 guests.

windows 2000 pro, check

To declare a folder as shared to VirtualBox, you specify a certain path on the host (which will become the shared folder) and give it a "share name" that only VirtualBox will use.

so I create a folder somewhere in mepis, and give it the name "vboxshare" or something, right?

Shares are created using the VBoxManage command line interface; see Chapter 7, VBoxManage reference. The command is as follows:
VBoxManage sharedfolder add "VM name" -name "sharename" -hostpath "C:\test"

ok, I understand this command is done from within virtualbox. From what I gather, the VM name is the name I gave the virtual, which is Windows2000Pro, the sharename would then be vboxshare, and the hostpath is where I am a bit stumped. Do I need to adjust C:\test to something of my liking, like C:\sharedvbox or? ??? Can I give it the same name? Or am I thinking completely in the wrong direction here?

There are three types of shares

Goody. All I need is a shared folder between the two :-\ I am not going to create any other VM guest machines, only using the Windows 2000 one that I have created. Help?

Then, you can mount the shared folder from inside a VM the same way as you would mount an ordinary network share:
• In a Windows guest, use the following command:
net use x: \\vboxsvr\sharename
Replace "x:" with the drive letter that you want to use for the share, and sharename with the
share name specified with VBoxManage.

Mounting a share in windows? ??? Ok.. so I need the command line in the VM box again to get to the drive. x? Wouldn't that just be C? *scratches head*


Confusing enough, all this stuff

[carlops]

It is not all that complicated really. Just get the names right.

E.g
You have a VM with the name Win
You have a folder in your homedir (let's say /home/eadwine) called VMshare
In the guest you want the shared folder to be called RealWorld

Make sure the VM is properly shut down (powered off, do not save the machine state).

Now, open a konsole and do

VBoxManage sharedfolder add Win -name RealWorld /home/eadwine/VMshare

That's all

[Eadwine Rose]

Thanks for helping!

Powered off?

You sure?

OK.. did the power off.. when I look in the virtualbox proggie it says powered off under the Windows2000Pro name

I have created a folder in /home/eadwine called VMShare


VBoxManage sharedfolder add Windows2000Pro -name RealWorld /home/eadwine/VMShare

ok.. got that right, I think.

Before I even do any of this.. me being control freak.. lol Where does this RealWorld folder get stored on the windows machine, and how do I get to it from within the Windows thing?

[carlops]

Originally Posted by carlops

It is not all that complicated really. Just get the names right.

E.g
You have a VM with the name Win
You have a folder in your homedir (let's say /home/eadwine) called VMshare
In the guest you want the shared folder to be called RealWorld

Make sure the VM is properly shut down (powered off, do not save the machine state).

Now, open a konsole and do

VBoxManage sharedfolder add Win -name RealWorld /home/eadwine/VMshare

That's all

Make that:
VBoxManage sharedfolder add Win -name RealWorld -hostname /home/eadwine/VMshare
:P

[Eadwine Rose]

VBoxManage sharedfolder add Win -name RealWorld -hostname /home/eadwine/VMShare

OK... (see how good it is that I don't jump on command? )

How do I get to it from within the Windows bit? Or does it just add a directory called RealWorld in C:\ that I can write to?

[carlops]

In windows, map a network share, and manually point to the share like this:

\\vboxsrv\RealWorld

If you use the windows share browser, there is a group 'VirtualBox shares' or sth to that effect, but it doesn't work (at least in my win2k install)

[Eadwine Rose]

Umm.. in English?

Map a network share?

What?


If you use the windows share browser, there is a group 'VirtualBox shares' or sth to that effect, but it doesn't work (at least in my win2k install)

Windows share browser?



Umm.. does it show that THAT part of windows is new to me? LOL

[Eadwine Rose]

shameless bumping of a post

[carlops]

Thx for the bump, missed your last post....

In windows, go to the command line (YES, YOU WINDOWS FREAKS, WINDOWS ALSO NEEDS THE COMMAND LINE FROM TIME TO TIME.)

Ok, having got that off my chest, as I said, you open a console in windows and do: net use x: \\vboxsvr\RealWorld

If you open My PC, you should see a networkdrive. In my w2k it has a red X through it as if it is not connected, but it is...

VirtualBox is a little buggy as far as host shares are concerned. Sometimes, when I try to run a setup from a host share, I get the blue screen...ah well, maybe it is there for nostalgia's sake....

cheers

[Eadwine Rose]

LOL


I have thought of another option as well, considering you say it is a bit buggy, and that is simply upload things to my server and download them again (instead of mailing).

But in any case.. this is a good tip for those venturing the shared road :)

Thanks!