Connecting a USB device to a virtual machine via ESXi Host Passthrough

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to:

• How to connect a USB device attached to an ESXi host to a virtual machine.

• Understanding the behavior of USB passthrough during vMotion and power operations.

 

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

Resolution

To connect a USB device from an ESXi host to a virtual machine, follow the standard procedure in the vSphere Client:

1. Right-click the virtual machine and select Edit Settings.

2. Click Add New Device and select Host USB Device.

3. Select the specific USB device from the drop-down menu.

4. Click OK.

Documentation:

• Add USB Devices from an ESXi Host to a Virtual Machine

Risks and Considerations

Review the following behaviors and limitations regarding vMotion and data safety:

1. vMotion Support and Behavior:

   • Migration: You can migrate a virtual machine (vMotion) to another host while maintaining the connection to the USB device. The device remains connected remotely.

   • Suspend/Power Off: If you suspend or power off the virtual machine after it has been migrated away from the host with the USB device, the connection will be lost. The device cannot reconnect automatically upon resume/power-on unless the virtual machine is moved back to the original host.

   • Refer to: Conditions and Limitations When Configuring USB Devices for vMotion

2. Data Loss:

   • If the USB device is used for storage, ensure proper unmounting/ejecting procedures are followed within the Guest OS before disconnecting or powering off to prevent data corruption or loss.

   • Refer to: Avoiding Data Loss with USB Devices

3. Hardware Compatibility:

   • Ensure the USB device is supported by the vendor for use in a virtualized environment.