Hyper V guest (using USB port)

aueddonline · 07-05-2009, 10:17 AM

I've got server 2008 installed with hyper V and was wondering if you can set it up so the guest OS can use the selected USB ports,

What i'd like to do is have a guest be a console server for some Cisco equipment, so the USB ports selected would only ever be used by the guest.

Anyone know how this is done?

RobertKaucher · 07-05-2009, 01:54 PM

Sadly it cannot be done... Neither with USB or with a COM port...
From the Deployement Guide:
"Each virtual machine is configured with 2 virtual serial (COM) ports that can be attached to a named pipe to communicate with a local or remote physical computer.
Note
No access to a physical COM port is available from a virtual machine."

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...erV_Deploy.doc

astorrs · 07-05-2009, 04:58 PM

AnywhereUSB/5's are your friend in a virtualized data center.

RobertKaucher · 07-05-2009, 11:01 PM

Nice! Now that is cool...

dynamik · 07-05-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertKaucher

Nice! Now that is cool...

Definitely. Leave it to astorrs to come up with something that rocks

tiersten · 07-06-2009, 12:03 AM

Considering the cost of the Ethernet-USB box, I'd just buy another PC or a real terminal server...

astorrs · 07-06-2009, 01:29 AM

Tiersten, if we're talking about home use I agree. or if it's just for console access like the OP wanted a term server from any vendor makes more sense.

But in a production environment for USB ports I wouldn't want to give up the benefits of virtualization just to satisfy some obscure hardware req (like USB HASPs, etc). I've done the same with serial-over-IP boxes in the past too from Digi.

tiersten · 07-06-2009, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astorrs

Tiersten, if we're talking about home use I agree. or if it's just for console access like the OP wanted a term server from any vendor makes more sense.

But in a production environment for USB ports I wouldn't want to give up the benefits of virtualization just to satisfy some obscure hardware req (like USB HASPs, etc). I've done the same with serial-over-IP boxes in the past too from Digi.

Yeah. For what the OP wanted I mean.

aueddonline · 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astorrs

AnywhereUSB/5's are your friend in a virtualized data center.

Thanks for the posts guys

With the usbanywhere solution would there be any issue with drivers? for the USB-DB9/cisco-Serial cables I'm using, my problems is that I don't have a 64 bit driver which is one of the reasons I was hoping to us a 32bit guest (becasue I have a 32 bit driver for the cables).

I just had a thought I could run my terminal server within VMware workstation 6 on this server, I think that allows for the use of USBs

aueddonline · 07-07-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aueddonline

Thanks for the posts guys

With the usbanywhere solution would there be any issue with drivers? for the USB-DB9/cisco-Serial cables I'm using, my problems is that I don't have a 64 bit driver which is one of the reasons I was hoping to us a 32bit guest (becasue I have a 32 bit driver for the cables).

I just had a thought I could run my terminal server within VMware workstation 6 on this server, I think that allows for the use of USBs

just tried it, you can't install VMware workstation 6 while Hyper-V is running

astorrs · 07-07-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aueddonline

just tried it, you can't install VMware workstation 6 while Hyper-V is running

Correct as Hyper-V can't pass-through the CPU extensions. The reverse is possible though (running Hyper-V inside of Workstation 6.5).

bertieb · 07-07-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astorrs

Correct as Hyper-V can't pass-through the CPU extensions. The reverse is possible though (running Hyper-V inside of Workstation 6.5).

All this virtual in a virtual etc is enough to make my head hurt. I don't even know whats real anymore. I'm now fairly certain you are all (virtual) figments of my imagination. I need a lie down I've come over all funny

tiersten · 07-07-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aueddonline

I just had a thought I could run my terminal server within VMware workstation 6 on this server, I think that allows for the use of USBs

If it did let you install Workstation (which it doesn't), how would you connect your real USB ports to the VM that is running Workstation? Thats the exact problem you're trying to solve in the first place

aueddonline · 07-07-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiersten

If it did let you install Workstation (which it doesn't), how would you connect your real USB ports to the VM that is running Workstation? Thats the exact problem you're trying to solve in the first place

you can use USBs on the host with workstation 6.5

tiersten · 07-07-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aueddonline

you can use USBs on the host with workstation 6.5

Yeah but the only way to run Workstation would be within a VM but not Hyper-V. Buy a cheap PC or terminal server if you just want to make a terminal server.

What chipset is inside the USB-serial adapter?