title: Accessing Host SQL Server From VMWare Machines
body: <p>I have Windows 7 with SQL Server 2008 and SQL Express 2012 on it. I have also installed win xp on two vmware machines. I am trying my best to connect to sql server on host machine from the vm machines using management studio, but no luck. I had problem even pinging the host machine and visa versa. When I turned off the firewall, I was able to ping the host machine. I tried to add the vm machine's IP to allow access to host machine, but even that didnt work. </p>
  
  <p>I have added a custom rule from here 
  <a href="http://www.rackspace.com/knowledge_center/article/creating-an-inbound-custom-allow-rule-for-windows-firewall-windows-2008" rel="noreferrer">http://www.rackspace.com/knowledge_center/article/creating-an-inbound-custom-allow-rule-for-windows-firewall-windows-2008</a></p>
  
  <p>I was running hotspot shield which i turned off, but still no luck. I have allowed remote connection on my sql server. but still not working. Can someone help here. </p>
  
  <p>This is the error I get. </p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/oJZOt.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <p>Here is the setting for vm machine.
  <img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/9rXXJ.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <p>When the firewall is on, cant ping, but can ping when its off. </p>
  
  <p>Regards</p>
  
  <p>Parminder</p>