Pass through both USB ports to a VM on ESXi 6.7 on a C240 M4

[Han Sooloo]

I have a C240 M4 running ESXi version 6.7.0 (latest version as of Aug 9th, 2023). I need to pass through _both_ of the USB ports on the back of the server to a VM that is on that ESXi host.

I was able to configure pass through for USB port #2, but no matter what I do, port #1 pass through state DOES NOT stick after a host reboot and goes back to "available" state.

C610/X99 series chipset USB Enhanced Host Controller #1 ==> pass through works / sticks

C610/X99 series chipset USB Enhanced Host Controller #2 ==> pass through doesn't work / doesn't survive a reboot

Is there a known limitation on why the 2nd controller cannot be made to pass through to a VM running on the ESXi host?

[josoneal]

Hello Han,

What type of USB are you using? USB 2.0 or 3.0? Also, what brand/model/size is the USB?

Please note if it's USB 3.0 device, we will need to configure a xHCI controller on the virtual machine which needs to be connected: https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.7/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-EC20F765-4C1A-4D04-881A-945702328FEB.html#GUID-EC20F765-4C1A-4D04-881A-945702328FEB 

Common limitations

The USB Controller has these limitations:

• Only one USB controller of each type can be added to a virtual machine.
• A virtual machine may have up to 20 USB devices attached to it, however each unique USB device can only be attached to one virtual machine at a time.

Per documentation: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1022290 

Hopefully this helps.

Regards,