Specifications

CHAPTER 8 Configuring Devices
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Linux kernels in the 2.6.x series also use a special arbitrator that allows access to the
parallel port hardware. If the parallel port is in use by the host, the guest cannot use it.
If a virtual machine is using the parallel port, the host and any users accessing the host
are not given access to the device. GSX Server puts a lock on the device, and this lock
restricts access so only the virtual machine can use the port.
You can choose VM > Removable Devices to disconnect the parallel port from the
virtual machine and reconnect it.
Parallel Ports and Linux 2.4.x Kernels
Be sure that PC Style Hardware (CONFIG_PARPORT_PC) is loaded as a module, as
mentioned at the beginning of Using Parallel Ports on page 290. If you are using a
2.4.x kernel, the modules that provide parallel port functionality are parport,
parport_pc and ppdev.
To see if these modules are installed and running on your system, run the lsmod
command as the root user. These three modules should be included in the listing of
running modules. You can also look at the /proc/modules file for the same list.
To load the proper modules, run this command:
insmod –k <modulename>
If none of the listed parallel port modules is running, use this command:
insmod –k parport_pc
This command inserts the three modules needed for a parallel port.
If you continue to see problems, it is possible that the lp module is running. If it is, the
virtual machine cannot use the parallel port correctly. To remove the lp module, run
this command as the root user:
rmmod lp
You should also ensure that the line referring to the lp module in the /etc/
modules.conf or /etc/conf.modules file is removed or commented out by
inserting a hash character (#) at the beginning of the line. The name of the
configuration file depends on the Linux distribution you are using. When you reboot
the host after removing this line, the configuration file no longer starts the lp
module.
To ensure that the proper modules for the parallel port are loaded at boot time, add
this line to the /etc/modules.conf or /etc/conf.modules file:
alias parport_lowlevel parport_pc
Linux kernels in the 2.4.x series also use a special arbitrator that allows access to the
parallel port hardware. If the parallel port is in use by the host, the guest cannot use it.