Accessing files available within a virtual machine from the host machine

ed.kumar · 08-03-2011, 04:59 AM

Hi,

How can a host machine access files residing in a (running) virtual machine without having to operate the guest OS?

I understand that a guest OS can access shared resources of host's file-system. (as answered in thread "file sharing between a virtual machine and the host machine"), but I couldn't find a way to do the vice versa.

I will appreciate any help.

TIA

acid_kewpie · 08-03-2011, 05:14 AM

you're asking a specific question about a generic technology. it totally depends on what services you're using etc. It's possible to often mount disk images in a generic manner with libvirt disks (e.g. raw format) but as an actual service to do this formally, you shouldn't be able to, it's horrible. use a network connection and access it like any other system.

ed.kumar · 08-03-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acid_kewpie

you're asking a specific question about a generic technology. it totally depends on what services you're using etc. It's possible to often mount disk images in a generic manner with libvirt disks (e.g. raw format) but as an actual service to do this formally, you shouldn't be able to, it's horrible. use a network connection and access it like any other system.

Thanks for quick reply. (Sorry I didn't mention that I use Oracle's VirtualBox. SuSE as Host OS and Lubuntu & Windows as guest.) Please could you suggest which "network connections" can be used, can I use SSH/Fish, SFTP or VNC? can I use the guest's IP address to establish a network connection.

acid_kewpie · 08-03-2011, 06:17 AM

you can use whatever the box is configured with. It is in no way "interesting" that it's a VM if network connectivity exists.

mjolnir · 08-03-2011, 06:30 AM

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...0/#post4016604

"I installed Opera with Unite on both virtual machines. Just for a lark I decided to use Unite's file transfer app. I started both VMs. I was easily able to transfer files between either VM, VM and the host, Vms, the host and my desktop. I wouldn't use Unite for production or where stong security was needed but for just easy file sharing it is hard to beat."

Unite is a fairly simple low security method to do this. It does require a significant amount of setup if you don't already use Opera as a browser.

jefro · 08-03-2011, 03:25 PM

The only way to access a file within a virtual file system would be to either power up the guest or find a way to mount that file. I don't know if a way exists other than a windows mount of one of their formats.

To access a file on a powered up client then any normal way two computers could access a file will work along with one more. The extra way is to use some vm that has tools that allow direct cut and paste between the host and client or two clients.

Also it is possible to have a shared folder on the host that the client could access when powered up but that would still be available to the host at all times.