Connecting a USB Device to an ESX hosted VM
March 11th, 2009 | 
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Here’s some common scenarios where external USB devices might be needed in VMs:
Temporary USB Connections
- One time data transfers
- Print to a printer
- Scanning
Permanent USB Connections
- Application security keys
- Printing
- Scanning
- Card readers
These are just a few I could quickly think of.
In the rest of this post I discuss using RDP USB pass through for the temporary scenario, and then provide some links for permanent USB connection possibilities to a VM.
For a temporary USB connection take advantage of remote desktop client features. For example, using Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) tool to a Windows VM you have options to allow the guest to see the USB devices connected to your desktop or notebook. By clicking the Options button from the main interface and then the Local Resources tab you can configure a pass through connection to USB devices.
For the permanent USB connection you will need to use an IP based software or hardware solution. Here’s some quick examples:
USBAnywhere
Some info from their web site:
“Our technology allows sharing any device easily, from scanner to hasp-key. Areas of practical use as wide as the range of supported devices. The advantages are obvious, now several users can share the same equipment despite their physical location. It is extremely important under the situation of shifting from outdated com- interface to promising USB standard. One can also save his costs as there is no need in purchasing new equipment or providing additional transactions with the old one.”
Remotescan
Remotely share a scanner connected to a physical computer with multiple servers. More info from their web site:
“With RemoteScan™ your TWAIN compatible device becomes available to any other computer on your network. Plug your scanner into just one computer, and access that scanner from any other computer on your network, or from around the world through the Internet.”
The USB/IP Project
For Linux based USB sharing, The USB/IP Project is an ip based usb sharing system. More from their web site:
“To share USB devices between computers with their full functionality, USB/IP encapsulates “USB I/O messages” into TCP/IP payloads and transmits them between computers. Original USB device drivers and applications can be also used for remote USB devices without any modification of them. A computer can use remote USB devices as if they were directly attached; for example, we can …
- USB storage devices: fdisk, mkfs, mount/umount, file operations, play a DVD movie and record a DVD-R media.
- USB keyboards and USB mice: use with linux console and X Window System.
- USB webcams and USB speakers: view webcam, capture image data and play some music.
- USB printers, USB scanners, USB serial converters and USB Ethernet interfaces: ok, use fine.”
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I really like USB over Ethernet by KernelPro as it allows my to connect multiple devices shared locally from a PC or server to many different VM servers. This product is also very stable and after installation I have not touched it in over a year.
Lonnie,
Thanks for the KernelPro recommendation. I had not heard of them before.
Thanks on the notes for one time transfers. I've occassionally had a need to transfer something from a flash drive to my guest VM but usually file shares have done the trick (or the occassional use of PowerIso).
I've used USBAnywhere for years since many of our applications require USB dongles for their license managers. The only technical hurdle you face with it is that your USBAnywhere device can only connect to a single machine, either virtual or physical, at a time so if you need to just connect up one USB device then you have to give it it's own USBAnywhere. It is Vmotion friendly so it's been worth every penny.
My bet on why USB is not supported is that it would create havoc when using vmotion and disrupt features like DRS and taking hosts into maintenance mode. Since those features are what so many people pay big dollars for it is unlikely they would give you easy means to disrupt those capabilities.
Regardless of which USB / USB over IP solution you choose, do not forget to install the base USB drivers into your Windows operating systems if those systems were installed exclusively on ESX. Since ESX doesn't show the guest any usb capabilities, it has been my experience that these drivers get skipped and can cause you some headache when your plug-in-play usb devices won't play with your guest machine.
Great Post
I'd like to apologize about one point and hopefully add something new to the post. I mistakenly confused USBAnywhere with AnywhereUSB by Digi which is the product I use in my environment. Their site is
http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp
I guess we should see if there is an AnyUSBwhere so that we can have the mixup complete. Thanks
Hi,
One other way around this 'problem' is using Belkins USB2Network device.
http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/
Works great with USB- drives, but also with printers and dongles.
Andy,
Thanks for providing another ESX USB alternative!
Josh,
Great points about the drivers missing and VMotion.
Network shares are definitely a great alternative for file transfers
if the networking and file shares already exist, but most often it's
just quicker and less administrative worry to just RDP and pass thru a
thumb drive.
Thanks for the clarify. Honestly, I did not realize the 2 different
products either!
Just read your posting on USB over IP for VMware ESX hosted servers. I wrote an article about a year ago for this same purpose. We have used Keyspan USB servers with success.
http://mainesysadmin.com/2008/03/21/how-to-vmwa...
Our company uses Serial to Ethernet Connector by Eltima Software, recommended…
http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/
—-
XCMediaG
Our company uses Serial to Ethernet Connector by Eltima Software, recommended…
http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/
—-
XCMediaG