6.0

Add USB Devices From a Client Computer to a Virtual Machine in the vSphere
Client
You can add one or more USB passthrough devices from a client computer to a virtual machine in the
vSphere Client. The devices must be connected to a client computer that connects to the ESXi host on which
the virtual machines reside.
The devices maintain their virtual machine connections in S1 standby, if the vSphere Client is running and
connected. After you add the USB device to the virtual machine, an information message appears on the
client computer stating that the device is disconnected. The device remains disconnected from the client
computer until the virtual machine releases it.
FT is not supported with USB passthrough from a client computer to a virtual machine.
Prerequisites
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Verify that a USB controller is installed.
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Verify that the vSphere Client is connected to the ESXi host on which the virtual machines are running.
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Required Privilege: Virtual Machine.Interaction.Add or Remove Device
Procedure
1 Select the virtual machine in the vSphere Client inventory.
2 Click the USB icon on the virtual machine toolbar.
3 Select an available device from the Connect to USB Devices drop-down menu.
The status of the device appears as Connecting.
The device appears in the USB Connections drop-down menu and is ready to use. The device remains
connected until you power off the virtual machine or disconnect the vSphere Client from the ESXi host.
Remove USB Devices That Are Connected Through a Client Computer in the
vSphere Client
You can remove USB devices from a virtual machine if the devices are no longer needed. When you
disconnect a USB device from a virtual machine, the device is released from the virtual machine and is given
back to the client computer, which starts using it.
Prerequisites
To minimize the risk of data loss, follow the instructions to safely unmount or eject hardware for your
operating system. Safely removing hardware allows accumulated data to be transmitted to a file. Windows
operating systems typically include a "Remove Hardware" icon located in the System Tray. Linux operating
systems use the umount command.
NOTE You might need to use the sync command instead of or in addition to the umount command, for
example after you run a dd command on Linux or other UNIX operating systems.
Procedure
1 Unmount or eject the USB device from the guest operating system.
2 Select the virtual machine in the vSphere Client inventory.
3 Click USB Connections on the virtual machine toolbar.
Chapter 15 Configuring Virtual Machines in the vSphere Client
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