Understanding support for serial devices with ESX

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article clarifies the supportability guidelines for serial devices connected to an ESX host for the purposes of using it within a guest operating system.

Note: For information about tape devices, see Understanding support for tape devices with ESX (2007904).

Environment

VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESX Server 3.0.x
VMware ESX Server 3.5.x
VMware ESX 4.0.x

Resolution

The basic configuration and communication of a virtual machine hosted by VMware ESX to a serial device is supported by VMware.

Support for the functionality provided by various serial devices that can be attached to such virtual machines is provided directly by the device vendors. VMware assumes that the third party device vendor has done the necessary validation to support this configuration in a production environment. In the event that a problem is found, VMware recommends that you open support requests directly with the third-party vendor's support organization. VMware collaborates with third-party vendors via Technical Support Alliance Network (TSANet) or Cooperative Support Agreement (CSA).

Additional Information

Understanding support for tape devices with VMware ESXi and VMware ESX