I am currently setting up eflowvm to install an IoT Edge module on a Windows host. How can I make the container can call the host, similar to how containers in Docker Desktop can call the DNS host.docker.internal?

I have already configured eflowvm to use both the default switch and the external switch, but neither works

I am currently setting up eflowvm to install an IoT Edge module on a Windows host. How can I make the container can call the host, similar to how containers in Docker Desktop can call the DNS host.docker.internal?

I have already configured eflowvm to use both the default switch and the external switch, but neither works

• hyper-v
• azure-iot-edge

• 1 Please share the details you tried – Sampath Commented Feb 5 at 9:46

1 Answer 1

To establish a connection to the host's localhost from an EflowVm, it is essential to configure the network settings to enable the virtual machine to access the host's network interface.

The following steps outline the process:

1. Verify the VM Network Configuration

Confirm that the network adapter of your EflowVm is set up correctly. In EflowVm, as with most virtualization platforms such as VirtualBox or VMware, you can typically select from the following network modes:

• Bridged Network: This mode allows the VM to obtain its own IP address on the same network as the host.
• NAT (Network Address Translation): This mode enables the VM to share the host's IP address for external connections.
• Host-Only: This configuration establishes a private network between the host and the VM, permitting communication solely between them.
• Internal Network: This mode is designated for communication exclusively between VMs.

For connecting to the host's localhost, it is advisable to use either the Host-Only or Bridged Network settings, as these configurations facilitate communication between the VM and the host as if they were on the same network.

2. Adjust Network Adapter Settings (Host-Only or Bridged)

• In EflowVm (depending on its underlying software), access the settings of the virtual machine.
• Navigate to the Network Adapter section.
• Choose Host-Only Adapter for private communication between the VM and the host.
• Alternatively, select Bridged Adapter if broader network access, including the host's network, is required.

3. Determine the Host's Local IP Address

• When using the Host-Only Adapter, it is necessary to identify the host's local IP address, which is typically assigned automatically during the setup of the host-only network.
  • On Linux: Use ip addr or ifconfig to display the local IP.
  • On Windows: Use ipconfig to find the local IP (usually in the format 192.168.x.x).

In a Bridged Network configuration, the host's local IP will correspond to the standard network address of your machine. 4. Configure the Application on the Host
Verify that the application you intend to access on the host (for example, a web server operating on port 80) is actively listening on the network interface rather than solely on localhost (127.0.0.1). It is essential to ensure that it is bound to 0.0.0.0 or the specific IP address of your host, instead of being restricted to 127.0.0.1.

5. Test the Connection
   From the EflowVm, attempt to ping the host using its local IP address.
   bash
   ping
   If the ping is successful, you may proceed to connect to services (such as a web server) hosted on the machine by entering the host’s IP address along with the appropriate port number.
   bash
   curl http://:

6. Troubleshooting
   In the event that you are unable to establish a connection, examine the firewall settings on both the host and the virtual machine to confirm that traffic is permitted. Additionally, verify that the network configuration of the host is arranged to accept incoming connections on the necessary ports.
   Following these steps should enable your EflowVm to connect to the host's localhost. If you are utilizing a specific hypervisor (such as VirtualBox, VMware, or others), some of the procedures may vary slightly, but the fundamental principles will remain consistent.