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# Ethernet

DOSBox Staging can emulate a Novell NE2000-compatible network card, giving your emulated DOS machine full TCP/IP networking capabilities. The virtual network provides DHCP, so the emulated machine gets its own IP address just like a real computer on a LAN.

This is a niche but powerful feature, useful for running DOS TCP/IP software, BBS door games, or network-aware applications that go beyond simple IPX multiplayer.

Fair warning

Setting this up requires installing a DOS packet driver, a DHCP client, and a TCP/IP stack inside DOS. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy tinkering with vintage networking, you’ll feel right at home.

## Configuration settings

You can set the Ethernet parameters in the `[ethernet]` configuration section.

##### macaddr

  The MAC address of the NE2000 card (`AC:DE:48:88:99:AA` by default).

##### ne2000

  Enable emulation of a Novell NE2000 network card on a software-based network with the following properties:

  - `255.255.255.0` – Subnet mask of the 10.0.2.0 virtual LAN.
  - `10.0.2.2` – IP of the gateway and DHCP service.
  - `10.0.2.3` – IP of the virtual DNS server.
  - `10.0.2.15` – First IP provided by DHCP (this is your IP).

  Possible values: `on`, `off` default

  Note

  Using this feature requires an NE2000 packet driver, a DHCP client, and a TCP/IP stack set up in DOS. You might need port-forwarding from your host OS into DOSBox, and from your router to your host OS when acting as the server in multiplayer games.

##### nicbase

  Base address of the NE2000 card (`300` by default).

  Note

  Addresses 220 and 240 might not be available as they’re assigned to the Sound Blaster and Gravis UltraSound by default.

##### nicirq

  The interrupt used by the NE2000 card (`3` by default).

  Note

  IRQs 3 and 5 might not be available as they’re assigned to `serial2` and the Gravis UltraSound by default.

##### tcp_port_forwards

  Forward one or more TCP ports from the host into the DOS guest (unset by default). The format is:

  - `port1 port2 port3 ...` – Forward specific ports (e.g., `21 80 443` for FTP, HTTP, and HTTPS).
  - `host:guest ...` – Map host port to guest port (e.g., `8021:21 8080:80`). Useful for privileged ports.
  - `start-end ...` – Forward a range of adjacent ports (e.g., `27910-27960`).
  - `hstart-hend:gstart-gend ...` – Map port ranges (e.g., `8040-8080:20-60`).

  Note

  - If mapped ranges differ, the shorter range is extended to fit.
  - If conflicting host ports are given, only the first one is set up.
  - If conflicting guest ports are given, the latter rule takes precedence.

##### udp_port_forwards

  Forward one or more UDP ports from the host into the DOS guest (unset by default). The format is the same as for tcp_port_forwards.