VMware USB Passthrough - Adding and Configuring

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VMware USB passthrough

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Olga Weis Last updated Jun 27, 2024

VMware USB Passthrough - Adding and Configuring

Some issues can impact users working in virtual environments. One problem is when a guest machine running VMware does not detect USB devices. You cannot work efficiently using VMware Workstation if USB devices are not showing up in your system’s device manager.

Other issues related to peripheral devices include VMware USB redirection being implemented improperly, resulting in malfunctioning devices. You can also run into physical constraints based on the number of USB ports available to the virtual session.

This article will discuss methods that can be used to eliminate these problems. We will show you how to quickly and easily connect USB devices to VMware virtual machines, highlighting FlexiHub as the best solution because it offers a fast and unrestricted experience.

How to connect USB to VMware

Here is how to connect USB devices to a VMware virtual machine running on VMware Workstation without additional software.

USB devices that are physically attached to a host computer are automatically connected to the guest system when the VM’s window is active. You can disable the auto-connect feature in the USB Controller panel in the Virtual Machine Settings Editor.
When there are no available USB ports on the virtual machine at the time the device is connected, a dialog box will be displayed. You then have the choice of ignoring the new device or freeing a port by disconnecting a device. The device is connected to the host if you ignore it.
You use the VM -> Removable Devices panel to specify the USB devices that you want to connect to your virtual session. You can connect up to a maximum of two devices at a time. You cannot get around this limitation with a hub as the devices are counted, not the hub itself.
A menu on your virtual machine shows the devices currently connected to the host computer and available to the guest VMware session. Connect by simply hovering your mouse over the menu and clicking on the desired device. When a new device is attached, selecting it disconnects the first peripheral in the list and connects to the new one.

You can manually connect to a device from your virtual session with the VM > Removable Devices menu. You will need to use this connection method if you have disabled auto-connect.

To release a device, just select its port and choose “None” in its menu.

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Adding USB Device to Virtual Machine from ESXi Host

USB passthrough devices can be added to a virtual machine from an ESXi host. The peripheral devices need to be physically connected to the host computer running the virtual machine. A USB device can only be connected to one virtual machine at a time and must be released by a VM before it can be added to another one.

Use the following steps when connecting USB devices to virtual machines.

Verify virtual machine compatibility with ESX/ESXi 4.0 or later versions.
Ensure a USB controller is available or add one to the VM.
Enable all USB devices when using vMotion with multiple devices. Migrating individual devices is not supported. More information can be found by referring to Conditions and Limitations When Configuring USB Devices for vMotion.
Confirm the VM meets the requirements for supporting USB devices.
Add USB CD/DVD drives as SCSI devices. Dynamic adding or removing SCSI devices is not supported.
Ensure this required privilege is set: Virtual Machine.Configuration.HostUSBDevice.

Configuring USB Device from ESXi Host to Virtual Machine

Multiple USB devices can be added to virtual machines as long as they have a physical connection to the ESXi host. USB devices such as security keys and hard drives can be connected using USB passthrough technology, making them available to VMs running on the host computer.

What is USB Device Passthrough Technology?

USB devices attached to a physical host computer are only available to VMs running on that host. VMs running on other hosts cannot connect to these USB devices. USB devices can also only be used by one virtual machine at a time. Once the device is connected to a VM, it is no longer available to other VMs until the current connection is terminated. At that point, other VMs can access the USB device.

You need an arbitrator, a controller, and a physical USB device or device hub when connecting a USB passthrough device to an ESXi host with a physical connection to the peripheral.

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USB Arbitrator

The USB arbitrator routes USB device traffic and manages connection requests. It is installed and enabled by default on ESXi hosts. The arbitrator’s role is to identify connected USB devices and manage connections to the VMs resident on the host. It routes data transmission from the host to the correct virtual machine. The arbitrator also ensures that other VMs do not use the device until it is released from the currently connected VM.

USB Controller

A hardware USB controller provides USB functionality to a host’s USB ports. VMs have a virtualized USB controller to manage the USB functionality on the virtual machine. Controllers must be present on the host before USB devices can be added to a VM. Common controllers include USB 1.1, USB 2.0, USB 3.1 SuperSpeed, and USB 3.1 SuperSpeedPlus.

A USB arbitrator is limited to monitoring 15 USB controllers. Devices attached to controllers numbered above 15 cannot be used by the virtual machine.

USB Devices

A maximum of 20 USB devices can be added to a virtual machine for simultaneous connectivity. This is also the maximum number of USB devices that a single ESXi host can support for connection to virtual machines running on it. More information is available on specific devices that are supported for passthrough on ESX or ESXi hosts to virtual machines.

Virtual USB controller

A virtual USB controller is an emulation of a physical controller used for VMs running on a hypervisor. The virtual controller communicates with a physical USB controller to support passthrough functionality for a device used by a guest VM on an ESXi host. A virtual USB controller is a requirement when implementing USB passthrough on a VM.

You can connect up to eight virtual USB controllers to a VM running on an ESXi host. When removing a virtual USB controller, you first must remove all connected USB devices. After adding a virtual USB controller to a VM, a VMware USB driver is installed.

NOTE: Requirements for USB 3.0

USB 3.0 is supported on ESXi servers beginning with VMware vSphere 5.5 patch 3 and requires the xHCI USB controller. VMware vSphere 7.0 supports USB 3.1 devices running at their maximum speed. Supported operating systems are Linux with Linux kernel 2.6.35 or higher, Windows 8.1 or higher, and Windows Server 2012 R2 or higher.

VMware USB passthrough - a software method

It’s an easy way to connect a USB device to a VMware virtual machine. FlexiHub software functions as a wireless connector between VMware sessions and USB devices attached to any network-connected computer. This includes the local host machine. The software is a great solution to the problem of how to connect USB devices on VMware virtual machines.

Follow these simple steps to implement VMware USB passthrough with FlexiHub

1.

Firstly, you will need to register a FlexiHub account.
2.

Start a free trial and download FlexiHub.
3.

Install it on the computer where the required USB device is connected physically.
4.

Download and install the program on a VM, launch it, and you will be able to connect to the required USB device.

As a cross-platform solution, FlexiHub can be used in diverse computing environments. It supports communication between any configuration of Windows, Linux, and Mac computers.

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The primary benefit of FlexiHub is that it enables VMware USB 3 passthrough with remote USB devices using your local network, Ethernet or Internet connectivity. This enables you to configure USB passthrough VMware Workstation when you are not located anywhere near the equipment. All that is needed is to install the application on the host server and guest operating system.

Employing advanced port virtualization technology allows FlexiHub to enable VMware USB redirection on many devices that cannot achieve connectivity using native methods. Attempting to connect a keyboard with a bootable HID is not possible in VMware ESXi without third-party solutions. The same can be said for devices like video cameras that use isochronous data transfers. FlexiHub enables you to even redirect any type of iOS USB device to VMware virtual sessions.

VMware USB redirection FAQ

1. What is VMware USB passthrough?

VMware USB passthrough enables physical USB devices connected to a VMware ESXi host to be accessed by virtual machines running on the host computer. The physical devices can only be connected to one virtual machine at a time. Security dongles and external storage devices are often connected to virtual machines using USB passthrough.

2. How can I add USB devices to a VMware host?

A USB redirector application is the most effective way of using USB devices with VMware instances. Electronic Team’s USB Redirector is an efficient method for connecting to USB devices from virtual machines. All that is required is that the application is installed on the host computer and virtual machine. This allows the VM to obtain full control of the peripheral USB device as soon as it is physically connected to the host.

3. How do I connect a USB device to a VMware virtual machine?

Simply select VM > Removable Devices from within USB Redirector when you want to connect your virtual machine to a USB device. Up to two devices can be connected simultaneously. If a USB hub is being used to connect the devices to the host, your VM will not recognize the hub and only see the attached devices.

VMware USB passthrough

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Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Raspberry Pi.
10.76MB Size.
Version 7.0.15125. (3 Jun, 2024).
Pricing starts $14 per month billed annually

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