IIS - Other - Cannot see localhost (127.0.0.1) in guest OS - whilst using Virtualization

Hi All,

I am currently using Windows Vista ultimate as my primary (host) operating system. Due to a need to use legacy software I am running Windows XP Service Pack 3 as a guest operating system (by way of VMware Workstation 6 software).

I have succesfully installed IIS into XP, and it is running however I am unable to view web pages that I am working on because localhost is not working as I would normally expect.

My host OS (Vista) is configured with a static IP address of 192.168.170.77

I have set the guest OS (XP) to use NAT, for network connectivity, under VMware Workstation.

Once the guest OS boots I issue an IPCONFIG command and see the following:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix: localdomain
IP Address: 192.168.127.128
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.127.2

I am able to issue a ping command to the localhost loop back IP address of 127.0.0.1 and receive replies.

However whenever I use localhost (or 127.0.0.1) in a web browsers address bar I cannot see my pages.

If anybody can offer suggestions on configuring IIS on my guest OS so that localhost will work in a browser, as normal, they will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Davo

I'm confused...is the host OS running IIS or the guest? And which is trying to view it?

In short, to go between the two you must network them by making sure they are in the same Workgroup or Domain. Then you would access the IIS installation using the computer name, not localhost.

Imagine this scenario:

Host OS:
OS: Vista
Computer Name: MyVistaBox
Domain: MyDomain

Guest OS:
OS: Win XP SP3
Computer Name: MyXPVM
Domain: MyDomain

Now, IIS running in the VM on XP can be accessed in Vista (in either OS, really) by visiting http://MyXPVM/

Now, if you are unable to ping the loopback address from within the XP VM, then there is a problem with the network configuration. Make sure that the proper network adapter drivers are installed. The loopback address should be available any time a network card is installed, regardless of whether or not it's actually connected to a network.