VM cannot ping the host

VM cannot ping the host VMware Workstation 5.5 is installed on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. NAT networking is used for the virtual machine – Red Hat Linux guest. I can ping the VM from the host but cannot ping the host from my Linux guest.

Answer: This happens because Windows Firewall blocks host-guest networking.

Windows Firewall is enabled by default in Windows XP Service Pack 2, which means incoming echo requests ("pings") are disallowed. To allow incoming echo requests, go to Control Panel->Windows Firewall->tab Advanced and click 'ICMP Settings'. In the dialog box check "Allow incoming echo request". You must ensure that the file and printer sharing checkbox is checked on the tab "Exceptions" to access shared host files and folders from the guest.