Host and guest OS USB 3.0 and virtual xHCI support with Workstation 9
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Host and guest OS USB 3.0 and virtual xHCI support with Workstation 9

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Article ID: 307817

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Updated On:

Products

VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides the host and guest OS combinations which support USB 3.0 and/or virtual xHCI in Workstation 9.

Symptoms:
  • USB 3.0 external storage devices are not visible in Workstation 9
  • USB 3.0 webcams are not detected inside Workstation 9
  • A USB device not visible/detected under VM > Removable Devices
  • When connecting a USB 3.0 device in a virtual machine, you receive an error similar to:

    The connection for the USB device "<Device Name>" was unsuccessful. Driver error


Environment

VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
VMware Workstation 9.x (Linux)

Cause

USB 3.0 and virtual xHCI are not supported on all host and guest OS combinations in Workstation 9.

Resolution


Which guest operating systems support the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller?

The VMware Virtual xHCI Controller requires guest xHCI drivers to function correctly inside a virtual machine. In Workstation 9.x, with USB 3.0 and the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller:
  • Full support of Microsoft's generic xHCI driver.

    Note: As of December 2012, only Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 are shipped with Microsoft generic xHCI drivers. Currently, Windows 7, Windows XP, and other older guest operating systems do not have the Microsoft generic xHCI driver, and therefore do not work with the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller.

  • No support of third-party Windows xHCI drivers.

    Note: Third-party vendor drivers are not designed to run with the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller and should not be used. If a guest OS does not support the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller, please use the VMware Virtual USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI+UHCI) for USB functionality in a virtual machine.

  • Full support of generic Linux xHCI driver when running on a 2.6.38 or later kernel.

    Note: This only applies for supported Linux guest operating systems. For more information, see the VMware Compatibility Guide, and search for your guest OS.

What type of USB devices are supported by the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller?

USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0 devices functioning at low, full, high, and super speed are supported.


What are the prerequisites for a USB device to work in a guest operating system?
  • The USB device must be attached to a functional USB host controller port (for USB 2.0 ports: EHCI or UHCI; for USB 3.0 ports: xHCI) on the host OS. A functional USB host controller means that the USB host controller hardware and driver are properly installed and working in the host OS.
  • The USB device must be connected to a functional virtual USB controller which presents on a guest OS which fully supports the device. A functional virtual USB controller means that the VMware Virtual USB Controller (for USB 2.0: EHCI+UHCI; for USB 3.0: xHCI) and xHCI driver it supports are properly installed and working in the guest OS.
  • The USB device driver is properly installed and functional in the guest OS.

How can a USB 3.0 device be used in a virtual machine?
  • A USB 3.0 device only runs in 3.0 mode when connected to a host xHCI port. If the device is running at Super Speed on the host, it must be connected to the guest via virtual xHCI as a 3.0 device to function properly.

    Note: Using a USB 3.0 device attached through the host's USB 3.0 port with the VMware Virtual USB EHCI+UHCI Controller is not supported.

  • If you want to use a USB 3.0 device in a guest which does not support the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller, you can try to plug the USB 3.0 device into a USB 2.0 EHCI/UHCI port on the host, which will force the device to function in USB 2.0 mode. The device can then be connected to the VMware Virtual USB EHCI+UHCI Controller to use in the virtual machine.

If a USB 3.0 device connected through a USB 3.0 port works on a Windows physical machine, will it also work in a guest operating system which supports the VMware Virtual xHCI Controller?

These scenarios describe usage of USB 3.0 devices attached to a USB 3.0 port on various Windows hosts:

  • Windows 8 or later host OS with the Microsoft generic xHCI driver:

    Functionality of USB 3.0 devices attached to a Windows 8 host is fully supported in the guest operating system.

  • Windows 7 host OS or Windows XP host OS:

    On Windows 7 and Windows XP hosts, USB 3.0 support of Workstation in the guest operating system is experimental and limited to specific configurations of USB 3.0 hardware and drivers.

    A USB 3.0 device attached to the host is only known to work in guest operating systems with specific configurations of USB 3.0 host controllers using the NEC/RENESAS chipset and driver on the host. To support USB 3.0 device functionality in a guest operating system, the NEC USB 3.0 host controller and driver must be properly installed on the Windows host.

    • Known supported USB 3.0 xHCI controller host configurations:

      • NEC/RENESAS μPD720200 chipset:

      • PCI Express USB 3.0 cards used in testing:
        • StarTech.com PEXUSB3S2 - PCI Express - 2 ports
        • Buffalo IFC-PCIE2U3S2 - PCI Express - 2 ports
        • Western Digital 4060-705065-002 - PCI Express - 2 ports

      • Other configurations of the NEC/RENESAS chipset, driver, and firmware are not sufficiently tested and may not function as expected.

    • Known unsupported USB 3.0 xHCI controller host configurations:

      • Any USB 3.0 host controller Chipset other than the NEC/RENESAS chipset mentioned above.

        For example, Fresco Logic FL1009, FL1000, and other USB 3.0 adapters such as Etron, ASMedia, Intel, TI, VIA, etc are not supported. USB 3.0 devices attached to these host controllers are not properly identified by Workstation to connect or function properly as a USB 3.0 device in the guest OS.

        To use a USB device with these host controllers, attach the device to the host's USB 2.0 port to use it in USB 2.0 mode.

  • Other Windows host operating systems without Microsoft generic xHCI driver support:

    • USB 3.0 devices attached to these hosts through the USB 3.0 port with third-party xHCI drivers are not supported by Workstation to connect or function properly in guest operating systems.

      Note: To work around this limitation, attach the device to the host's USB 2.0 port to use it in USB 2.0 mode through the virtual EHCI+UHCI controller in the virtual machine.


Additional Information

Workstation 9 におけるホスト OS とゲスト OS の USB 3.0 および仮想 xHCI のサポート
Workstation 9 的主机和客户机操作系统 USB 3.0 以及虚拟 xHCI 支持

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