Is it possible to add an external USB drive to an ESXi server, and have it visible to at least one VM?
No it is not possible - you would have to use an IP based USB hib to present it to a VM like USBAnywhere by Digi
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Sorry USB Passthrough doesn't work. usb-anywhere is indeed a workaround
Duncan
VMware Communities User Moderator | VCP | VCDX
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We are also interested in USB as we have hardware dongles for some of our applications and I thought ESXi's lack of USB connectivity was a show stopper.
But upon speaking to the manufactuer of the application today, they suggested AnyWhere USB or the Belkin Network USB Hub. (http://www.belkin.com/uk/networkusbhub/ )
I see several recommendations for AnyWhere, has anyone used the Belkin device?
thanks.
I use the Belkin device at home and it works fine except for the lack of Windows 2003 drivers. But with XP/Vista VMs it has been fine.
Dave
VMware Communities User Moderator
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Do you have a system or PCI card working with VMDirectPath? Submit your specs to the Unofficial VMDirectPath HCL.
Thanks Dave,
I have spoken to Digi, the makers of the AnywhereUSB (www.digi.com) and they confirm driver support for 2000, 2003 & 2008 as well as XP and others.
Definately looks like the right solution for us here.
The AnywhereUSB/5 allows up to 5 USB devices to be attached and as far as I can understand, you could attach 5 USB drives to them and have all of them available to one or more VM's. I expect I/O would take a hit though...
For us, all we need is the abiltiy to use a USB dongle for our pre-flighting software.
For anyone interested and others browsing this thread in the future.... I have attached the AnywhereUSB manual which goes into a fair amount of detail with regards to VMWare.
Certainly the USB pass-through should have been sorted by now ... it was reported in 3.5 u1
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