6.7

For Mac OS X systems, the EHCI+UHCI controller is enabled by default and is required for USB mouse
and keyboard access.
For virtual machines with Linux guests, you can add one or both controllers, but 3.0 superspeed devices
are not supported for passthrough from an ESXi host to a virtual machine. You cannot add two controllers
of the same type.
For USB passthrough from an ESXi host to a virtual machine, the USB arbitrator can monitor a maximum
of 15 USB controllers. If your system includes controllers that exceed the 15 controller limit and you
connect USB devices to them, the devices are not available to the virtual machine.
Prerequisites
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ESXi hosts must have USB controller hardware and modules that support USB 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1
devices present.
n
Client computers must have USB controller hardware and modules that support USB 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1
devices present.
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To use the xHCI controller on a Linux guest, ensure that the Linux kernel version is 2.6.35 or later.
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Verify that the virtual machine is powered on.
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Required Privilege (ESXi host passthrough): Virtual Machine.Configuration.Add or Remove
Device
Procedure
1 Right-click a virtual machine in the inventory and select Edit Settings.
2 On the Virtual Hardware tab, add a USB controller.
Client Steps
vSphere Client Click the Add New Device button and select USB Controller from the drop-down
menu.
vSphere Web Client a Select USB Controller from the New device drop-down menu at the bottom
of the Edit Settingswizard.
b Click Add.
The controller appears in the Virtual Hardware devices list.
3 Expand New USB Controller to change the USB controller type.
If compatibility errors appear, fix them before you can add the controller.
4 Click OK.
What to do next
Add one or more USB devices to the virtual machine.
vSphere Virtual Machine Administration
VMware, Inc. 160