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

With the latest release of vSphere 4.1, VMware has finally brought USB pass-through to ESX hosts, a feature that was previously available in VMware Workstation/Fusion and Player. This new functionality allows you to connect a USB device directly to a virtual machine (VM) and use it inside the VM without any additional software installations or configurations. In this blog post, we will explore how to set up and use the new USB pass-through feature in vSphere 4.1, and discuss some of the potential usage scenarios for this exciting new technology.

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 select the ESX host where you want to use the USB pass-through feature.

2. Right-click on the VM you want to use the USB device with and select “Edit Settings.”

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

4. Find your USB device in the list of host-connected devices and click on it to select it for pass-through.

5. Review your changes and click on “Finish” to apply the settings.

Once you have set up the USB pass-through feature, you can connect your USB device directly to the VM and use it inside the virtualized environment.

Potential Usage Scenarios for USB Pass-Through in vSphere 4.1

The new USB pass-through feature in vSphere 4.1 offers a wide range of potential usage scenarios, including:

1. Backup and Recovery: With the ability to connect USB HDDs directly to the host, you can use Veeam Backup and Recovery to backup and replicate your VMs to an off-site location. This eliminates the need for additional software installations or configurations, making it easy to set up a reliable backup and recovery solution.

2. UPS Integration: You can connect your APC UPS to the host and use it directly inside the VM, without the need for any additional software installations or configurations. This makes it easy to monitor and manage your UPS from within the virtualized environment.

3. USB Dongles: If you require USB dongles for security or licensing purposes, you can now connect them directly to the host and use them inside the VM without any additional software installations or configurations.

4. Scanners, Cameras, and Other Devices: With the ability to connect a wide range of devices to the host via USB, you can now easily integrate scanners, cameras, and other devices into your virtualized environment.

Conclusion

The new USB pass-through feature in vSphere 4.1 is a game changer for backup and recovery, UPS integration, USB dongles, and other usage scenarios. With the ability to connect a wide range of devices directly to the host, you can now easily integrate your physical devices into your virtualized environment, making it easier than ever to manage and maintain your VMs. So why not give it a try and see how this exciting new feature can benefit your virtualization strategy?