Double MAC address with VM?

Question

I wonder how does the virtual machine or virtual PC software do it. It can "bridge" to LAN with its virtual computer as if it was another machine. And it does it with different MAC address whatsoever still using the same NIC card of the host computer.

My one assumption was that it were the network switches which were responsible for filtering all traffic depending on MAC addresses recorded. And I tried to fool one of them sending phantom packets (nonexistent MAC and IP address in them). I didn't help - the NIC card seems to discard everything else than its proper MAC address in the packets. If so how does VM do the trick? - one hardware with 2 MAC addresses.

Answer 1

two MAC adresses with a VIRTUAL machine? no way man.. no way...

Answer 2

A virtual (not real) NIC is used. Check Device Manager. You WON'T see the virtual NIC

Answer 3

It's because the VM has a virtual NIC.  Look in the device manager.  It does not use the MAC/NIC of the physical box, the VM host handles all that behind the scenes and is the only thing that realizes it's not a hardware NIC.

Edit: The guy below is apparently not getting what I am saying.  Check the device manager on the OS on the VM box, not the physical box.  You WILL see a virtual NIC.