Unable to get DHCP on Windows 8.1 VM

[ScurvyMrO]

This is the situation:

Host:  Microsoft Surface Pro 3, running Windows 8.1, all patched.

Virtual Machine:  Windows 8.1, from volume licensed ISO

VMWare Workstation 11.1.0

The virtual machine can get out to the Internet when it's in NAT mode.  But when I put it in Bridged mode, it will not pick up an IP address, just times out and picks up the 169.x.x.x address.  I've monkeyed with the LAN settings, but never can get it to work.  The host firewall is off. 

Not sure what else to check.  Any ideas? 

[dariusd · Accepted solution]

Hi ScurvyMrO, and welcome to the VMware Communities!

Have you checked that your network infrastructure (wireless access point and/or Ethernet switch) isn't prohibiting multiple MAC addresses, either using a MAC whitelist or "Port Security" to restrict to one MAC per physical Ethernet port?  Bridged networking requires that multiple MAC addresses are supported by your host networking device and the rest of your network infrastructure.

I seem to recall that wireless is somewhat less practical for bridging than wired networking is...

--

Darius

[ScurvyMrO]

This was exactly the problem.  Frustrated that it took me days and days to figure it out!  But I'm up to speed now!