4.2. Configuring USB Devices
A virtual machine connected with the SPICE protocol can be configured to connect directly to USB devices.
The USB device will only be redirected if the virtual machine is active and in focus. USB redirection can be manually enabled each time a device is plugged in or set to automatically redirect to active virtual machines in the SPICE client menu.
Important
Note the distinction between the client machine and guest machine. The client is the hardware from which you access a guest. The guest is the virtual desktop or virtual server which is accessed through the User Portal or Administration Portal.
4.2.1. Using USB Devices on Virtual Machines
USB redirection Enabled mode allows KVM/SPICE USB redirection for Linux and Windows virtual machines. Virtual (guest) machines require no guest-installed agents or drivers for native USB. On Red Hat Enterprise Linux clients, all packages required for USB redirection are provided by the virt-viewer package. On Windows clients, you must also install the usbdk package. Enabled USB mode is supported on the following clients and guests:
- Client
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.1 and later
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 and later
- Windows 10
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows 2008
- Windows 2008 Server R2
- Guest
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.1 and later
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 and later
- Windows 7
- Windows XP
- Windows 2008
Note
If you have a 64-bit architecture PC, you must use the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer to install the 64-bit version of the USB driver. The USB redirection will not work if you install the 32-bit version on a 64-bit architecture. As long as you initially install the correct USB type, you then can access USB redirection from both 32 and 64-bit browsers.
4.2.2. Using USB Devices on a Windows Client
The usbdk driver must be installed on the Windows client for the USB device to be redirected to the guest. Ensure the version of usbdk matches the architecture of the client machine. For example, the 64-bit version of usbdk must be installed on 64-bit Windows machines.
Procedure 4.5. Using USB Devices on a Windows Client
- When the usbdk driver is installed, select a virtual machine that has been configured to use the SPICE protocol.
- Ensure USB support is set to Enabled:
- Click Edit.
- Click the Console tab.
- Select Enabled from the USB Support drop-down list.
- Click OK.
- Click the button and select the Enable USB Auto-Share check box.
- Start the virtual machine and click the button to connect to that virtual machine. When you plug your USB device into the client machine, it will automatically be redirected to appear on your guest machine.
4.2.3. Using USB Devices on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client
The usbredir package enables USB redirection from Red Hat Enterprise Linux clients to virtual machines. usbredir is a dependency of the virt-viewer package, and is automatically installed together with that package.
Procedure 4.6. Using USB devices on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux client
- Click the Virtual Machines tab and select a virtual machine that has been configured to use the SPICE protocol.
- Ensure USB support is set to Enabled:
- Click Edit.
- Click the Console tab.
- Select Enabled from the USB Support drop-down list.
- Click OK.
- Click the button and select the Enable USB Auto-Share check box.
- Start the virtual machine and click the button to connect to that virtual machine. When you plug your USB device into the client machine, it will automatically be redirected to appear on your guest machine.
