VMware Communities
gavinpanella
Contributor
Contributor

yubikey not working when a VM is running

My Yubikey works fine when I have only MacOSX running, but if I start up a VM (in my case, Ubuntu desktop) it will rapidly flash green, continuously. According to the manual this means:

3.5.3 Device enumeration or error condition – rapid flashing
During USB device enumeration process, the LED flashes rapidly with a rate of approx 4 Hz. The quick flashing also occurs when an invalid operation is triggered, such as trying to trigger an un-configured OTP configuration.

I have found a workaround so that I can use the key: suspend the VM, insert the key, resume the VM. However, I sometimes need to use the key 10+ times a day and I can't leave it plugged in because I'm often not physically near the machine. Suspending and resuming the VM is not a long term workaround.

Crucially this problem only began after upgrading to Fusion 6.0.2. I'm running OSX Mavericks, fully up-to-date on system updates, on a MacBook Pro purchased a few months ago.

Though I suspect this is a bug in Fusion, can anyone point to a setting I can tweak to avoid this behaviour, or a better workaround? Thank you!

Tags (2)
16 Replies
andre_s
Contributor
Contributor

Hi. I am noticing a similar issue in 6.0.2 with other USB devices. If I have a guest running and attempt to connect USB headset or RS232 it continually prompts for what to connect to if I choose Mac. I get the same sort of symptom you are seeing if I choose the remember tick box.

Also running MBP Retina, Mavericks, full up to date.

Reply
0 Kudos
gavinpanella
Contributor
Contributor

Downgrading back to 6.0.1 has fixed this problem for me.

Reply
0 Kudos
csatoi
Contributor
Contributor

I have the very same issue with GEMALTO USB token. MacBookPro Retina, Mavericks. Solved (temporarily) with Fusion 6.0.1. thanks to Time Machine.

Reply
0 Kudos
niktosnicos
Contributor
Contributor

I have the same problem on Mac OS 10.8.5 running Fusion 6.0.2. Have to insert the yubikey before VM (rhel6) starts. Otherwise the led flashes rapidly and the yubikey is pretty much useless.

Reply
0 Kudos
admin
Immortal
Immortal

Thank you for reporting this issue. I have reproduced it internally and will investigate the cause.

gdifiore
Contributor
Contributor

rgrant,

  Have you found a root cause of the problem?  It would really be helpful to get this fixed asap.  I always need to shutdown the VM to plug in USB devices.

Reply
0 Kudos
niktosnicos
Contributor
Contributor

Any news on the solution to the problem?

Reply
0 Kudos
hanshubert2
Contributor
Contributor

I noticed that my Yubikey is only not working, if connected to a USB 3 port while running VMWare Fusion. On a USB 2 port it is working fine.

Reply
0 Kudos
MrEricM
Contributor
Contributor

Add me as another "+1" to this problem. When a VM is running, if I plug the Yubikey in it will just flash the LED and will not work.

Also running a Retina MBP, OSX 10.9.1, and Fusion 6.0.2. Unfortunately without getting a USB 2.0 HUB or something, all USB ports are 3.0. The problem happens with an older style Yubikey, and a newer style one.

Reply
0 Kudos
7sun
Contributor
Contributor

+1 for this problem. I have a new iMac with Fusion 6.0.2. Yubikey will only flash rapidly while VM is running.

Reply
0 Kudos
InsommniacGeek
Contributor
Contributor

+1, I also am having the same problem.

Reply
0 Kudos
niktosnicos
Contributor
Contributor

Still the same problem after upgrading to OS 10.9.2 using Fusion 6.0.2 on MBP Retina 2013

Reply
0 Kudos
VcuraMichael
Contributor
Contributor

+1 Yup, this is a problem for me.

Reply
0 Kudos
gdifiore
Contributor
Contributor

I worked with support on a similar issue and is correct.  You will need to downgrade to 6.0.1.  There is supposed to be a fix in 6.0.3 or 6.0.4 (according to the support agent).  I removed 6.0.2 and downloaded 6.0.1 and now the usb devices work as expected.

Reply
0 Kudos
SKy2Lab
Contributor
Contributor

Problem stil unsolved in Fusion 6.02.

Possible sollutions:

A. Suspend VM guest - insert Yubikey - resume VM guest (leave Yubikey in USB port!)

B. Connect Yubikey trough USB 2.0 external HUB (connected to mac USB port)

Reply
0 Kudos
iwnz
Contributor
Contributor

Just tested with Fusion 6.0.3 with Yubikey and the problem is fixed.

Reply
0 Kudos