[Bug]: v7.2.2 - VBoxManage: NAT Networks fail to start whenever DHCP server option is enabled

[adelin-mcbsoft]

Version

7.2.2

Host OS Type

Windows

Host OS name + version

Windows 10.0.19045 Build 19045

Host Architecture

x86

Guest OS Type

all

Guest Architecture

x86

Guest OS name + version

N/A

Component

Network

What happened?

I am using VBoxManage CLI to manage NAT Networks, especially adding or removing port forwarding rules.
While managing the rules, I have to stop/start the NAT Network(s).

Whenever DHCP server is enabled for a NAT Network, VBoxManage fails to start the DHCP server for that network, whenever issuing the start command.

I discovered this as I was trying to debug why port-forwarding no longer works in v7.2.2, turns out I was experiencing issue #232 , so it could be related.

I'm not sure if the UI experiences the same problems, as I don't receive any message there.

Reproduction steps below.

How can we reproduce this?

VBoxManage.exe natnetwork stop --netname "TestNetwork"
VBoxManage.exe natnetwork start --netname "TestNetwork"
:: EVERYTHING FINE UNTIL HERE, DHCP SERVER WAS NOT ENABLED ::

:: Stopping the network again, to enable the DHCP server...
VBoxManage.exe natnetwork stop --netname "TestNetwork"

:: Enabling the DHCP server...
VBoxManage.exe natnetwork modify --netname "TestNetwork" --dhcp=on

:: Starting the NAT Network...
VBoxManage.exe natnetwork start --netname "TestNetwork"
VBoxManage.exe: error: Cannot start DHCP server because it is already running (pid 00005b5c)
VBoxManage.exe: error: Details: code VBOX_E_OBJECT_IN_USE (0x80bb000c), component DHCPServerWrap, interface IDHCPServer, callee IUnknown
VBoxManage.exe: error: Context: "Start()" at line 588 of file VBoxManageNATNetwork.cpp
VBoxManage.exe: error: Failed to start network

:: As you can see, DHCP fails to start, as it claims it is already running, even though the network was stopped before."
:: I have to set it to off, to be able to start the network...
VBoxManage.exe natnetwork modify --netname "TestNetwork" --dhcp=off

VBoxManage.exe natnetwork start --netname "TestNetwork"

Did you upload all of your necessary log files, screenshots, etc.?

• Yes, I've uploaded all pertinent files to this issue.

[rtum5555]

I have issues on windows 11 pro 24h2 where linux guests hosts on vbox 7.2.2 fail with nat network adapter and DHCP disabled running static ipv4 addressing (10.0.2.0/24). Revert to version 7.1.2 and nat network adapter works fine
windows 11 pro 10.0.26100 build 26100. They will run in host only adapter