USB Pass-through in vSphere 4.1: A Game Changer for VM Backup and Recovery

The latest release of vSphere, version 4.1, has brought about a feature that has been long awaited by virtualization administrators and power users alike – USB pass-through. This feature allows you to connect a USB device directly to a virtual machine (VM) running in ESXi, without the need for a physical connection to the host. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to set up and use the new USB pass-through feature in vSphere 4.1, and discuss some potential use cases for this functionality.

Setting Up USB Pass-through in vSphere 4.1

To set up USB pass-through in vSphere 4.1, follow these steps:

1. Open the vSphere Client and right-click on the VM you want to enable USB pass-through for.

2. Select “Edit Settings” from the context menu.

3. Click on “Add” and select “USB Controller” from the list of available devices.

4. Click “Next” and select the USB device you want to connect to the VM.

5. Review your changes and click “Finish”.

This will add the USB controller and device to your VM, and enable vMotion support.

Using USB Pass-through in vSphere 4.1

Once you’ve set up USB pass-through for your VM, you can connect your USB devices directly to the VM and use them as needed. For example, you could use this feature to:

1. Connect a UPS to your management software, without the need for a physical connection to the host.

2. Use USB dongles that some software requires, either for security or for licensing purposes.

3. Connect USB HDDs to the host and use them as a backup target for Veeam Backup and Recovery.

The latter use case is particularly useful in my environment, as it allows me to connect some cheap storage directly to the host and then connect it directly into the Veeam Backup and Recovery VM. This makes it easy to backup/replicate my VMs for manual off-site storage.

Other Use Cases for USB Pass-through in vSphere 4.1

In addition to the use cases mentioned above, there are many other potential use cases for USB pass-through in vSphere 4.1. For example, you could use this feature to:

1. Connect scanners, cameras, and other peripheral devices directly to your VMs.

2. Use USB devices as a way to securely transfer data between VMs and the host.

3. Connect USB devices to your VMs for testing and development purposes.

Potential Drawbacks of USB Pass-through in vSphere 4.1

While USB pass-through in vSphere 4.1 offers many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. For example:

1. Security: Connecting USB devices directly to your VMs can increase the attack surface of your virtualized environment. You’ll need to carefully manage access to these devices to prevent unauthorized access or malware infections.

2. Compatibility: Not all USB devices are compatible with vSphere 4.1, so you may encounter issues with certain devices.

3. Resource Utilization: Connecting USB devices to your VMs can consume system resources, so you’ll need to carefully monitor resource utilization and adjust your configuration as needed.

Conclusion

USB pass-through in vSphere 4.1 is a game changer for virtualization administrators and power users alike. This feature offers many benefits, including the ability to connect USB devices directly to your VMs, improve management and backup/recovery processes, and enhance the overall functionality of your virtualized environment. While there are some potential drawbacks to consider, the benefits of this feature far outweigh the risks. So why not give it a try and see how you can leverage USB pass-through in vSphere 4.1 to improve your virtualization strategy?