ESXi

Hi,

I have some host connected HID devices (temperature monitors that pretend to be HID keyboards), that I wish to passthrough to my windows guest os. http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1021345 tells me that I can't.  :-(  I have tried adding usb.generic.allowHID = "TRUE" that I saw elsewhere in this forum, but that didn't help.

Any ideas?

DIrectPath I/O depends on your host where the VM resides. Go to the Host>Configuration>Hardware/Advanced Settigs> and make sure the "Configure Passthrough" is NOT greyed out. If not greyed out, you can click on it and attach the device to the host > then pass it to the VM.

My server (Supermicro 6015P) has an intel 5000P northbridge that doesn't seem to support "DIrectPath I/O" (the option is greyed out - but I haven't checked the bios)

But every other type of USB device I plugin is available for passthrough!  I have tried kingston usb stick, microsoft webcam, atheros wifi, all ok.  just not this temperature device that pretends to be a keyboard.

DirectPath I/O shouldn't have anything to do with USB - it's available to pass PCI devices into VMs.

USB HIDs (such as keyboards or mice) can be problematic with USB passthrough. See KB 1021345 (http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1021345)

If the device isn't listed in that article, it may not be possible to pass through at this time.

Thanks,

-jk

Here this study material for the VCAP should help you out... http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/VMDirectPath/USB_Setup.php