Specifications
CHAPTER 8 Configuring Devices
325
Connecting to a Generic SCSI Device
The following sections describe how to use generic SCSI devices in a virtual machine:
• Device Support in Guest Operating Systems on page 325
• Adding a Generic SCSI Device to a Virtual Machine on page 326
• Generic SCSI on a Windows Host Operating System on page 328
• Generic SCSI on a Linux Host Operating System on page 330
Generic SCSI lets a virtual machine run any SCSI device that is supported by the guest
operating system in the virtual machine. Generic SCSI gives the guest operating
system direct access to SCSI devices connected to the host, such as scanners, tape
drives and tape changers.
Device Support in Guest Operating Systems
In theory, generic SCSI is completely device independent, but VMware has discovered
it is sensitive to the guest operating system, device class and specific SCSI hardware.
We encourage you to try any SCSI hardware you want to use and report problems to
VMware technical support.
Preparing a Windows XP Guest Operating System to Use SCSI Devices
To use SCSI devices in a Windows XP virtual machine, you need a special SCSI driver
available from the download section of the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/
download. Follow the instructions on the Web site to install the driver.
Preparing a Windows NT 4.0 Guest Operating System to Use SCSI Devices
Generic SCSI devices use the virtual Mylex® (BusLogic) BT/KT-958 compatible host bus
adapter provided by the virtual machine. Some guest operating systems guide you
through installing the drivers after you install the first SCSI device in the virtual
machine. On Windows NT 4.0, however, you may need to install the driver manually, if
it is not already installed for a virtual SCSI disk. You should do so before you add a
generic SCSI device.
To install the BusLogic driver in a Windows NT 4.0 guest, have your Windows NT
installation CD available and follow these steps.
1. Open the SCSI Adapters control panel.
Start > Settings > Control Panel > SCSI Adapters
2. Click the Drivers tab.
3. Click Add.