Beginner PLC: Configure Ethernet/IP Connection
This site is really for electrical / electronics design questions so your question isn't a great fit. However ...

On VMWare, and I presume most other VM software, there is an option on the VM settings to configure your network connection as NAT or bridged. You have two choices:

NAT


Configure the IP address and subnet mask you want on the host machine.
Set the VMWare to NAT. It will then pick up the host address.


Bridged


Leave the host PC as is.
Configure the IP address and subnet mask on the VM.
Set the VMWare to Bridged.


It's often much easier to use a router with DHCP enabled. Configure it with the browser interface to the PLC subnet (using a unique IP address) and then let the PC obtain its address by DHCP. In this case you would use NAT for the VM settings.

Mr. PLC and PLC Talk are great sites for help with industrial controls.