VMware ANYWHEREUSB - TECHNICAL USB, ESX Server Using Manual
VMWARE TECHNICAL NOTE
VMware ESX Server
Using AnywhereUSB
to Connect USB Devices
Digi International’s AnywhereUSB® Remote I/O Concentrator is a remote networking solution
that utilizes USB over IP technology, called RealPort® USB, to enable you to connect USB devices
over a network.
This technical note explains how you can use AnywhereUSB to send USB data over an Ethernet
or wireless IP network to a virtual machine running on VMware ESX Server, so you can support
nearly any USB device through the virtual machine’s standard Ethernet interface. This Ethernetattached solution, supported by Digi International, provides five USB ports to connect
peripheral devices such as bar-code scanners and receipt printers.
AnywhereUSB also breaks the traditional 5 meter distance limitation between USB device and
host. Now USB devices may be located anywhere on a wired or wireless LAN — without a local
attachment to a host PC. Since the host virtual machine and the VMware server system where it
is running may be located remotely, AnywhereUSB enables devices to be deployed in harsh or
nonsecure environments, making it ideal for point-of-sale devices, kiosks, surveillance, industrial
automation, or any mission-critical enterprise application.
This technical note covers the following topics:
• Understanding RealPort USB Technology on page 1
• Installing AnywhereUSB on page 3
• AnywhereUSB and ESX Server Go to Work on page 6
• Support on page 7
Understanding RealPort USB Technology
Many of today's key business applications were written to talk to USB devices that are directly
connected to servers. To serve their customers better, businesses have found it necessary to
locate USB devices in places that are not always close to servers or PCs or to connect them to
virtual machines provided by VMware server software.
Using RealPort USB software in conjunction with the AnywhereUSB network-enabled USB hub,
users can connect USB devices anywhere on the LAN. The solution is seamless — the USB
This technical note has been developed in cooperation with
Digi International, Inc.
Using AnywhereUSB to Connect USB Devices
devices appear as though they are plugged directly into the host PC or virtual machine, when
they are actually connected to an AnywhereUSB concentrator anywhere on the network. This
ensures compatibility with existing applications without any modifications
RealPort USB software is unique among USB extender solutions. It is the only implementation
that allows multiple connections to multiple USB ports over a single TCP/IP connection. This
means that USB devices may be placed anywhere a network connection exists. Also, RealPort
USB supports as many USB devices over the network as the virtual machine would if the devices
were directly connected to the host system.
RealPort USB also provides connection recovery. If there is a network interruption, RealPort USB
automatically reconnects the device to the virtual machine’s USB port. RealPort USB offers
extensive operating system support, including support for Microsoft Windows Server 2003,
Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
The diagram below illustrates the use of various USB devices, connected through an
AnywhereUSB concentrator to a virtual machine running on a VMware server system.
RealPort USB
software drivers
VMware
ESX Server
USB
AnywhereUSB
Ethernet LAN
USB
IP
TCP/IP
10/100 Ethernet
USB
Bar-code
scanner
Alphanumeric
cash register
Receipt
printer
Credit
card
reader
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Using AnywhereUSB to Connect USB Devices
Features and Benefits of RealPort USB
Features of the RealPort USB technology support your remote USB solutions in a variety of ways.
Featu re Benefit
USB connections over any IP network Extends USB cabling distance beyond 5 meters.
USB peripherals may be anywhere.
Transparent network connection USB ports appear to be locally attached and provide
same Plug and Play user experience as onboard USB
ports.
Connections to multiple USB ports over a single TCP/IP
connection
Multiple AnywhereUSB hubs per virtual machine Virtually unlimited numbers of extended USB ports.
Supports bulk or interrupt mode devices Compatible with hundreds of different USB products.
Connection recovery Provides fault tolerance for network failures.
Connections to back room server Increases security.
Comprehensive OS support Compatible with nearly any Windows program.
Reduces overhead compared to other USB extenders.
RealPort USB comes standard with Digi's AnywhereUSB network-enabled hub.
Architecture of the Solution
AnywhereUSB supports USB at the level of the individual virtual machine. That is, each virtual
machine that requires USB device support has one or more AnywhereUSB concentrators
connected to that virtual machine. You install drivers for the concentrators in the guest
operating system running in the virtual machine, as illustrated in the diagram below.
Application
Operating
system
AnywhereUSB
driver
Operating
system
AnywhereUSB
driver
Operating
system
AnywhereUSB
driver
VMware virtualization layer
Intel architecture
Operating
system
AnywhereUSB
driver
You then connect USB devices to a concentrator. The AnywhereUSB driver installed in the guest
operating system manages the connection between the device and the guest.
ApplicationApplicationApplicationApplication
Service
console
Installing AnywhereUSB
The basic steps to set up an AnywhereUSB concentrator and connect it to virtual machines
running on ESX Server are outlined in this document. For additional detail, see the AnywhereUSB
Remote I/O Concentrator Installation Guide from Digi International.
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