So, if the server is not connected to a network device, how do you expect to get any address?
Anyway, VMware workstation is a type 2 Hypervisor, meaning that, you have an OS running above the virtualization layer (VMware Worksation acts as the Hypervisor). Hence, you can share your network with VMs that you are hosting.
In the other hand, when you are running a type 1 Hypervisor. The Virtualization layer (Hypervisor) is running directly above the Hardware layer so, you can't share your internet access from your laptop obviously because you are in another device and not a part from the HW of this server.