Connecting USB smart card reader to VM with sphere client 5.1

[mturra]

I installed an new ESXi 5.1, when I connect with vsphere client (running on windows 7 - 64 bit) and I plug an usb smart card reader on my pc, I only see "Connect to USB device" -> "Shared ACS CCID USB Reader 0.

If I choose this option I get this message back "The remote device connected to Shared ACS CCID USB Reader 0 is disconnected"!!!

Looking on event tab I see this error: "The currently available license does not permit the use of shared smart cards."

I didn't find any statement about share smart card licenceing!

What kind of licence I need to run shared smart card feature?

If I connect to the same VM with vmware workstation 9 client I see another option not shown in vsphere client

If I use the same vsphere client on another pc with windows XP the option in "Connect to USB Device" are two:

- Shared ACS CCID USB Reader 0

- Advanced Card CCID USB Reader

Why this option doen't exists in vsphere running on my windows7 64 bit pc?

Thanks in advance.

[zXi_Gamer]

Why this option doen't exists in vsphere running on my windows7 64 bit pc?

Whether, from your Win7 64bit PC, can you see the Advanced Card Reader CCID USB Reader?

[mturra]

I tried in a new desktop pc with windows 7 64bit and it works. Windows version shouldn't be the issue.

May be this problem arise because I have installed vmware workstation (evaluation) too?

Are there any compatibility issue between vsphere client and vmware workstation?

What kind of licence I need to use the smart cart sharing to all VM?

[a42887]

Does VMware monitor these forums? I've tried getting a response from their support team, was told to contact sales. Sales never contacted me back. I still need the answer to this. Any ideas?

[douglasarcidino]

Can you confirm that on the PC you are having troubles with, the smart card reader is installed and usable? This would be the physical client computer. If the device isn't installed with drivers and functioning properly, the client would have difficulty seeing it.

[a42887]

Yup. Works just fine. In the error log, I get the same error the OP does about a licensing error.

[admin]

Product offerings for vSphere 5.x (2001113) | VMware KB

Shared Smart Card Reader is a feature of vSphere Standard and above editions hence, you would require a vSphere Standard, Enterprise and Enterprise Plus to activate this feature.