faster access to shared folders on VirtualBox
November 1st, 2007
VirtualBox offers the option to access folders of your host from within your guest system, what is called shared folders. Although it is working most of the time, it has caused me several problems like: slow transfer rate, occasional delays and "freezing" and several I/O errors while copying files.
An alternative way to access shared folders between guest and host systems, is to completely by pass the built-in shared folders facility of VirtualBox, and use SMB/CIFS directly over a private network connection between the host and guest system. In my previous post I explain how to set up a private network connection between host and guest. Having done so you can go ahead on this article.
In my example I will describe my own configuration which consists of an Ubuntu host and Windows XP guest. I usually create a folder named xfer in my $HOME directory which I use for file sharing between systems. You can read an older article of mine on how to set up a writeable shared folder with samba on ubuntu.
When your shared folder is all done you can switch to your Windows XP and access it. Go to Start → Run and type \\10.0.1.1\xfer and click Ok:
Your shared folder should open with no serious delays and browsing should be quite responsive:
If you'd like to, you could also map a drive letter and assign it to the network path and access the shared folder by only typing the driver letter. I use X: for this purpose:
An alternative way to access shared folders between guest and host systems, is to completely by pass the built-in shared folders facility of VirtualBox, and use SMB/CIFS directly over a private network connection between the host and guest system. In my previous post I explain how to set up a private network connection between host and guest. Having done so you can go ahead on this article.
In my example I will describe my own configuration which consists of an Ubuntu host and Windows XP guest. I usually create a folder named xfer in my $HOME directory which I use for file sharing between systems. You can read an older article of mine on how to set up a writeable shared folder with samba on ubuntu.
When your shared folder is all done you can switch to your Windows XP and access it. Go to Start → Run and type \\10.0.1.1\xfer and click Ok:
Your shared folder should open with no serious delays and browsing should be quite responsive:
If you'd like to, you could also map a drive letter and assign it to the network path and access the shared folder by only typing the driver letter. I use X: for this purpose:
January 31st, 2009 at 2:20 am Thank you so much for the tutorial. I find this method so much nicer than the built in shared folder.
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:15 pm This is really nice. It really helped me out and was easy to follow your instructions. Thanks a lot. My access is so much faster now.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:49 am Thank you so much for this very useful information.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:38 pm thanks dude, shared folders is just toooooooo slow!! its crazy..
April 30th, 2009 at 1:13 pm I used this to set up my network folder, and everything worked well but after restarting my system (guest and host), it has stopped working. When I try to access the network drive I set up as described, Windows says that there is a problem with the connection. If I try to access the host through run \\10.0.1.1\foldername, Windows says it can't find the folder. Is there anything I would have to repeat after restarting to make this continue to work?
November 12th, 2009 at 3:25 pm Gold.
I was worried about security with the Samba, and your tap trick saved the day.