Prove each network mode isolates what it claims to isolate
Task
Test all the virtual network modes your hypervisor offers by attempting what each is supposed to prevent -- with a baseline success captured first, because a failure that was never a success proves nothing about the control.
Steps
- Build two guests and record their configuration in
lab/netmode/guests.csvwith headerguest,os,adapter_mode,address. - For each mode your hypervisor offers -- NAT, bridged, host-only, internal, and disconnected -- record in
lab/netmode/expected.csvwith headermode,reach_internet,reach_host,reach_other_guest,reachable_from_lanwhat you PREDICT before testing. - CAPTURE A BASELINE SUCCESS in the most permissive mode available: prove each of the four reachability tests works, and record the output in
lab/netmode/baseline-success.txt. - Test every mode and record what actually happened in
lab/netmode/actual.csvwith the same header as the predictions, plus amatchedcolumn. - Write
lab/netmode/surprises.mdfor every mismatch between prediction and result, andlab/netmode/choice.csvwith headerrequirement,mode,whyfor four stated requirements including 'opening something untrusted'.
Verify
awk -F, 'NR>1 && NF>=4 {n++} END {print n" guest(s)"}' lab/netmode/guests.csv
awk -F, 'NR>1 && NF>=5 {n++} END {print n" mode(s) predicted"}' lab/netmode/expected.csv
grep -c . lab/netmode/baseline-success.txt
awk -F, 'NR>1 && NF>=6 {n++} END {print n" mode(s) tested"}' lab/netmode/actual.csv
awk -F, 'NR>1 && tolower($6)!="yes" {n++} END {print n+0" mismatch(es)"}' lab/netmode/actual.csv
awk -F, 'NR>1 && NF>=3 {n++} END {print n" requirement(s) matched to a mode"}' lab/netmode/choice.csv
Two guests, three or more modes predicted and tested, a baseline success recorded BEFORE any denial, and four requirements matched. A mode where every test failed and no baseline was captured is a mode you have observed doing nothing in particular.
Notes
The requirement 'opening something untrusted' has one right answer here and it is not a network mode at all -- it is no adapter. Recording that is the point of including it.
This is an independent study companion for CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 and is not produced by or endorsed by CompTIA.