Access Ubuntu Apache Server in VirtualBox from Host Computer

Hello Dev, are you having trouble accessing your Ubuntu Apache server from your host computer? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to access your Apache server on Ubuntu installed on VirtualBox from your host computer.

Prerequisites

Before we get started, make sure you have the following:

1. VirtualBox installed on your host computer
2. Ubuntu Virtual Machine installed on VirtualBox
3. Apache Web Server installed and running on your Ubuntu Virtual Machine
4. Basic knowledge of networking and terminal commands

Configure VirtualBox Network Settings

In order to access your Apache server from your host computer, we need to configure the VirtualBox network settings. Follow these steps:

1. Open VirtualBox and select your Ubuntu Virtual Machine
2. Go to the “Settings” and click on “Network”
3. Change “Attached to” to “Bridged Adapter”
4. Select the network interface of your host computer
5. Click “OK” to save the settings

Configure Ubuntu Firewall

By default, Ubuntu firewall blocks incoming connections. We need to allow connections to the Apache server. Follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Ubuntu Virtual Machine
2. Type the following command to allow connections to Apache:

$ sudo ufw allow ‘Apache’

3. Restart the firewall with the following command:

$ sudo ufw reload

Find Ubuntu IP Address

In order to access the Apache server from your host computer, we need to know the IP address of your Ubuntu Virtual Machine. Follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Ubuntu Virtual Machine
2. Type the following command to get your IP address:

$ ip addr show

3. Look for the IP address under the “inet” section of the network interface

Access Apache Server from Host Computer

Now that we have all the necessary information and settings configured, we can access the Apache server from our host computer. Follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser on the host computer
2. Type in the IP address of your Ubuntu Virtual Machine in the address bar
3. You should now be able to see the default Apache webpage

FAQ

How do I know if Apache Web Server is installed and running on my Ubuntu Virtual Machine?

You can check if Apache is installed by running the following command in Terminal:

$ sudo systemctl status apache2

You should see a result showing the status of the Apache service. If it is not running, you can start it with the following command:

$ sudo systemctl start apache2

Can I access the Apache server from other devices on the network?

Yes, you can access the Apache server from any device on the same network. You just need to find the IP address of your Ubuntu Virtual Machine and type it into the address bar of any web browser.

What should I do if I can’t access the Apache server from my host computer?

Double-check all the settings and configurations. Make sure the VirtualBox network settings are correct, the Ubuntu firewall is allowing connections to Apache, and the IP address is correct. If all else fails, try restarting the Virtual Machine and the host computer.

Can I change the default Apache webpage?

Yes, you can customize the Apache webpage by modifying the index.html file located in the /var/www/html directory on your Ubuntu Virtual Machine. Simply edit the file with any text editor to make changes to the webpage.

Is it safe to allow connections to Apache?

Allowing connections to Apache can pose a security risk if proper precautions are not taken. Make sure to only allow connections from trusted sources and keep your Ubuntu Virtual Machine up-to-date with security patches and updates.