I have a USB switch that I switch between 3 computers, including one Unraid machine.

I want USB devices to work with my Windows VM _when_ they are connected, but not have to be connected.

Currently the VM will not boot without them connected. If I boot with them then I am able to use the switch without issues.

 

 

Is this possible, to have a USB device associated with a VM, but not have to be present in order to boot the machine?

Edited September 3, 20223 yr by Lacy
update title

The ideal way is to physically passthrough a separate USB controller card so that it operates the same way as any other machine.

 

Your other alternative would be 

 or 

Or:

https://forums.unraid.net/topic/71159-auto-vm-start-interrupted-by-missing-usb-device/?do=findComment&comment=654162


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3 hours ago, Lacy said:

Is this possible, to have a USB device associated with a VM, but not have to be present in order to boot the machine?

 

BTW, my reply only applies to this part, I have no idea what happens if the VM boots wihtout the device present, then you add it later. But I assume that the plugins Squid mentions would solve for that part.

 

I've raised a feature request to have the optional startup policy added to the VM form view:

 

2 hours ago, Jorgen said:

But I assume that the plugins Squid mentions would solve for that part.

My USB Manager plugin can connect at startup of the VM, or hotplugging a USB can be mapped to a VM. Mappings ca be by device or port and it support same vendor product IDs.

 

Specify a hub mapping to a VM and any device connect to that hub gets connected to the VM.

 

You can use the USBIP addon to use or allow remote machines access to USB devices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, that is an awesome plug-in, not sure how I’ve managed to miss it! Thanks @SimonF


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Just want to note, this feature has been introduced in the latest update, 6.11