• Start 2 Linux VMs with the network in bridged mode and check that they are reachable using ping.

To start 2 Linux VMs with the network in bridged mode and check that they are reachable using ping, follow these steps:

1. Open the virtualization software and create 2 new Linux VMs.

2. Configure the network settings of both VMs to use bridged mode. This will allow the VMs to communicate with the host machine and other devices on the network as if they were physical machines.

3. Start both VMs and log in.

4. Open a terminal window on the first VM and run the command "ifconfig" to get the IP address of the VM.

5. On the second VM, open a terminal window and run the command "ping [IP address of the first VM]". This will send a ping request to the first VM.

6. If the first VM is reachable, it will respond to the ping request and you will see output in the terminal window of the second VM.

7. Repeat the process in the other direction, pinging the second VM from the first VM to confirm bidirectional communication.

If both VMs are reachable using ping, then they are successfully communicating with each other over the bridged network.