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USB via networking???

Source: microsoft.public.virtualpc
Sent: 04/22/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
(http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
devices into a virtual machine?
This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.

I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
virtual machine....

If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
device in a virtual machine?
Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Post Reply | This is Spam! | Mark as Spam

Related Messages

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/22/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:06:44 +0200, Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

UPDATE:
Apparently it is possible to do this with a VMWare ESX guest (which
also lacks USB support) according to a document on the DIGI site.
http://www.digi.com/pdf/wp_ESXServer_AnywhereUSB.pdf

Question now is weather it is able to be used with protection dongles
and with VPC2007 or VS2005....
Want to know before buying.

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>(http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>devices into a virtual machine?
>This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>
>I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>virtual machine....
>
>If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>device in a virtual machine?
>Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

I have tried to use the similar Silex USB Device Box but couldn't get i to
work for a special application - it's not universal, but only works for some
equipment.

I would instead try these software programs
http://www.fabulatech.com/usb-over-network.html
http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/

"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
news:(email address - cut out)...

Show quoted text

> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
> devices into a virtual machine?
> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>
> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
> virtual machine....
>
> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
> device in a virtual machine?
> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Ups, not sure they support virtual USB ports.

Show quoted text

>I have tried to use the similar Silex USB Device Box but couldn't get i to
>work for a special application - it's not universal, but only works for
>some equipment.
>
> I would instead try these software programs
> http://www.fabulatech.com/usb-over-network.html
> http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/
>
>
> "Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
> news:(email address - cut out)...
>> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>> devices into a virtual machine?
>> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>>
>> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>> virtual machine....
>>
>> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>> device in a virtual machine?
>> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>>
>> --
>>
>> Bo Berglund (Sweden)
>
>

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:46:45 +0200, "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

The problem is that I cannot suggest a software solution because then
the USB device has to be plugged into a host PC somewhere and we are
immediately seeing two PC:s involved. The customer's IT department
would not allow this since they are consolidating all of their servers
virtually...

I have contacted the Swedish distributor for Digi and I will be able
to borrow a unit for testing. I'll report back when I have some
results...

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
>news:(email address - cut out)...
>> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>> devices into a virtual machine?
>> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>>
>> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>> virtual machine....
>>
>> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>> device in a virtual machine?
>> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>I have tried to use the similar Silex USB Device Box but couldn't get i to
>work for a special application - it's not universal, but only works for some
>equipment.
>
>I would instead try these software programs
>http://www.fabulatech.com/usb-over-network.html
>http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Tried the Silex USB Device Server and couldn't get it to work.

Tried with a USB stick and a scanner, and both were recognized by the Silex
software - but not Windows. None of Windows own USB drivers gets installed,
so it looks like a virtual USB driver is required to tweak Windows.

"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
news:(email address - cut out)...

Show quoted text

> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
> devices into a virtual machine?
> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>
> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
> virtual machine....
>
> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
> device in a virtual machine?
> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:12:18 +0200, "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

I found this on the DIGI webpage for AnywhereUSB. It concerns VMWare
ESX guests, but it is really about Windows drivers:
http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/aw_usb_vmware.txt

<quote>
AnywhereUSB Installation on a VMWare ESX Server

Problem:
The AnywhereUSB drivers do not install on a VMWare ESX Server

Cause
VMware ESX does not support USB. The USB drivers are not copied to the
VMware system by default. The AnywhereUSB device is dependent on the
USB core files to properly install.

Solution
Copy over the usbd.sys file from the original operating system disk
into Windows (or winnt) \system32\drivers directory. Reboot your
machine. You can then continue with the AWUSB installation as normal.
</quote>

It looks that by putting this driver (usbd.sys) in the right place on
the guest system it would be possible to make it recognize a
redirected USB driver.
Might work also in a VPC2007 or VS2005 guest...

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
>news:(email address - cut out)...
>> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>> devices into a virtual machine?
>> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>>
>> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>> virtual machine....
>>
>> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>> device in a virtual machine?
>> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>Tried the Silex USB Device Server and couldn't get it to work.
>
>Tried with a USB stick and a scanner, and both were recognized by the Silex
>software - but not Windows. None of Windows own USB drivers gets installed,
>so it looks like a virtual USB driver is required to tweak Windows.

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/23/2009
From: "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Bingo!

Copying the usbd.sys to the system32/drivers directory the XP guest now has
USB capability - and it's working with standard USB devices!

However it's not realtime USB as the scanner is 'steeping' through the scan,
but it came out perfectly. Properly the reason why I couldn't get it to work
the application I had in mind (needed a wireless USB hub).

You can find information about the Silex boxes here
http://www.silexamerica.com/connectivity-aamp-wireless-productsmenu-156/usb-device-servers-productsmenu-85.
In Denmark it is sold by Konica
...

"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
news:(email address - cut out)...

Show quoted text

> On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:12:18 +0200, "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
> wrote:
>>"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
>>news:(email address - cut out)...
>>> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>>> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>>> devices into a virtual machine?
>>> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>>>
>>> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>>> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>>> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>>> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>>> virtual machine....
>>>
>>> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>>> device in a virtual machine?
>>> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>
>>Tried the Silex USB Device Server and couldn't get it to work.
>>
>>Tried with a USB stick and a scanner, and both were recognized by the
>>Silex
>>software - but not Windows. None of Windows own USB drivers gets
>>installed,
>>so it looks like a virtual USB driver is required to tweak Windows.
>
> I found this on the DIGI webpage for AnywhereUSB. It concerns VMWare
> ESX guests, but it is really about Windows drivers:
> http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/aw_usb_vmware.txt
>
> <quote>
> AnywhereUSB Installation on a VMWare ESX Server
>
> Problem:
> The AnywhereUSB drivers do not install on a VMWare ESX Server
>
> Cause
> VMware ESX does not support USB. The USB drivers are not copied to the
> VMware system by default. The AnywhereUSB device is dependent on the
> USB core files to properly install.
>
> Solution
> Copy over the usbd.sys file from the original operating system disk
> into Windows (or winnt) \system32\drivers directory. Reboot your
> machine. You can then continue with the AWUSB installation as normal.
> </quote>
>
> It looks that by putting this driver (usbd.sys) in the right place on
> the guest system it would be possible to make it recognize a
> redirected USB driver.
> Might work also in a VPC2007 or VS2005 guest...
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:52:09 +0200, Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

Partial success, but still a ways to go....
I have tested this configuration:
- DIGI AnywhereUSB Concentrator with 5 USB ports.
- Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1
- Guest operating system Windows 2003 Enterprise Server

After a rather extensive set of installs and then also some restarts
of both the concentrator and the Win2003 server guset itself I have
reached the following situation:

1) There is now a USB subsystem on the virtual computer. :-)
2) If I plug a USB memory stick into the unit it will be mapped to
a drive letter in the virtual machine. :-)
3) If I plug a Safenet Sentinel Pro dongle into the concentrator
a USB device named SafeNet Sentinel... appears in Device Manager
in the guest. :-)
4) Unfortunately (for my use) the software that tries to access the
protection dongle reports that the Sentinel driver has not been
loaded. :-(

So the situation now is that the Sentinel driver is running so far as
to being able to discover a USB device as a Sentinel unit, but when a
program tries to use the device then it fails to allow access.

I don't really know where to go from here on the USB software
protection key access route, but it seems like the DIGI unit is in any
case capable of giving a virtual machine USB capabilities at least for
some types of USB devices.

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:46:45 +0200, "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
>wrote:
>>"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
>>news:(email address - cut out)...
>>> Is it possible to use a product like AnuwhereUSB from Digi
>>> (http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb.jsp) as a way to get USB
>>> devices into a virtual machine?
>>> This hub is operating via the Ethernet network.
>>>
>>> I have a use case where our customers are moving towards virtual
>>> servers and our database functionality is thus installed on a virtual
>>> PC platform. But our licensing system use SafeNet Sentinel dongles,
>>> which are USB devices and there is a problem connecting these to a
>>> virtual machine....
>>>
>>> If one uses the product above, will it be possible to register the USB
>>> device in a virtual machine?
>>> Or does it still need emulated USB hardware (nonexistent) to work?
>
>>I have tried to use the similar Silex USB Device Box but couldn't get i to
>>work for a special application - it's not universal, but only works for some
>>equipment.
>>
>>I would instead try these software programs
>>http://www.fabulatech.com/usb-over-network.html
>>http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/
>
>The problem is that I cannot suggest a software solution because then
>the USB device has to be plugged into a host PC somewhere and we are
>immediately seeing two PC:s involved. The customer's IT department
>would not allow this since they are consolidating all of their servers
>virtually...
>
>I have contacted the Swedish distributor for Digi and I will be able
>to borrow a unit for testing. I'll report back when I have some
>results...

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: David Wilkinson <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

Bo Berglund wrote:

What about printers?

--
David Wilkinson
Visual C++ MVP

Show quoted text

> After a rather extensive set of installs and then also some restarts
> of both the concentrator and the Win2003 server guset itself I have
> reached the following situation:
>
> 1) There is now a USB subsystem on the virtual computer. :-)
> 2) If I plug a USB memory stick into the unit it will be mapped to
> a drive letter in the virtual machine. :-)
> 3) If I plug a Safenet Sentinel Pro dongle into the concentrator
> a USB device named SafeNet Sentinel... appears in Device Manager
> in the guest. :-)
> 4) Unfortunately (for my use) the software that tries to access the
> protection dongle reports that the Sentinel driver has not been
> loaded. :-(
>
> So the situation now is that the Sentinel driver is running so far as
> to being able to discover a USB device as a Sentinel unit, but when a
> program tries to use the device then it fails to allow access.
>
> I don't really know where to go from here on the USB software
> protection key access route, but it seems like the DIGI unit is in any
> case capable of giving a virtual machine USB capabilities at least for
> some types of USB devices.

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: "Jan M. Nelken" <(email address - cut out)in>
Message:

Bo Berglund wrote:

Direct from Digi US online store - $ 349.00 (US Dollars)
Direct from Digi EMEA online store - 296.00 (Euro)

You may be shopping in expensive Swedish store...:-)

Jan M. Nelken

Show quoted text

> But the DIGI AnywhereUSB Concentrator carries a price tag (here in
> Sweden) of about $500....

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:51:58 +0200, Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
wrote:

I have now tested a later version (7.4.2) of the sentinel driver and
installed support for both USB and printer port.

After this it started working so now I can in fact access USB hardware
protection keys from within a virtual computer also with Microsoft
virtualization.
But the DIGI AnywhereUSB Concentrator carries a price tag (here in
Sweden) of about $500....

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>So the situation now is that the Sentinel driver is running so far as
>to being able to discover a USB device as a Sentinel unit, but when a
>program tries to use the device then it fails to allow access.
>

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: "jorgensen" <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

You can get a Silex 1000 unit for 50 Euro and a 2000 unit for 85 Euro!
And I can confirm it will work with most standard USB units, but not sure
about a Sentinel dongle.
Saw this about 'remote' Sentinel dongles
http://www.usb-over-network.com/forum/board-usbovernetwork-action-display-num-65863381.html
Kim

"Bo Berglund" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
news:(email address - cut out)...

Show quoted text

> On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:51:58 +0200, Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
> wrote:
>
>>So the situation now is that the Sentinel driver is running so far as
>>to being able to discover a USB device as a Sentinel unit, but when a
>>program tries to use the device then it fails to allow access.
>>
>
> I have now tested a later version (7.4.2) of the sentinel driver and
> installed support for both USB and printer port.
>
> After this it started working so now I can in fact access USB hardware
> protection keys from within a virtual computer also with Microsoft
> virtualization.
> But the DIGI AnywhereUSB Concentrator carries a price tag (here in
> Sweden) of about $500....
>
> --
>
> Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Re: USB via networking???

Sent: 04/27/2009
From: Bo Berglund <(email address - cut out)>
Message:

On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:37:22 -0400, David Wilkinson
<(email address - cut out)> wrote:

I am pretty confident that printers will be possible too, in fact I
think those are a big market target for the makers og USB-over-Network
products.

--

Bo Berglund (Sweden)

Show quoted text

>>
>> So the situation now is that the Sentinel driver is running so far as
>> to being able to discover a USB device as a Sentinel unit, but when a
>> program tries to use the device then it fails to allow access.
>>
>> I don't really know where to go from here on the USB software
>> protection key access route, but it seems like the DIGI unit is in any
>> case capable of giving a virtual machine USB capabilities at least for
>> some types of USB devices.
>
>What about printers?

Post Reply | This is Spam! | Mark as Spam

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