I have a remote linux server accessible through SSH only.

My goal is to host multiple Virtual Machines on this host server using VirtualBox. The host server has 1 IP address, so NAT will be used to route to the VMs for example 10022 will forward to server1:22 and 20022 will forward to server2:22.

I have installed VirtualBox and copied a pre-configured CentOS VM to the host server.

I start the VM, but cannot establish a connection to the server for example ssh -p 10022 127.0.0.1 times out.

I've tried many things:

Method 1: Copied existing .vdi, attached to new VM
Method 2: Imported .Ova VM (thought it would help any MAC re-init issues?)

NAT network type, tried natnet1 192.168/16 and 10.0/16
VBoxManage modifyvm "hermes.awoms.com" --natnet1 "192.168/16"

Port forwarding with and without specifying VM ip in modifyvm --natpf1 command
VBoxManage modifyvm "hermes" --natpf1 "guestssh,tcp,,10022,,,22"
VBoxManage modifyvm "hermes" --natpf1 "guestssh,tcp,,10022,192.168.0.15,22"

I can't see if VM is even booting (VBoxHeadless "hermes" --start & runs with no errors) I can't tell if VM is getting an IP address

Is there anything else I can do to get more information from VirtualBox or the VM starting up when the only access I have is SSH?