Difference between USB device pass-through and VMDirectPath I/O Direct IO pass-through
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Difference between USB device pass-through and VMDirectPath I/O Direct IO pass-through

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Article ID: 309191

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article contrasts USB device passthrough and VMDirectPath I/O, and provides additional information and suggested resources.


Environment

VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable

Resolution

VMDirectPath

With this option, the VMkernel is configured without the respective device under its management, while it is passed through to a virtual machine.

This virtual machine takes full control of the device. As it has full control of this hardware component attached to the server, it cannot be vMotioned to a different server. In addition, other servers do not have the ability to remotely access the device or hardware.

USB device passthrough

This option allows you to redirect I/O to or from a USB device for virtual machines.

The device is managed by the VMkernel, allowing the attachment of USB devices to virtual machines live, and maintaining vMotion capability.

For further information on USB device pass-through, see USB support for ESX/ESXi 4.1 (1022290).


Additional Information

USB デバイス パススルーと VMDirectPath I/O ダイレクト IO パススルーの相違点