Hi

I'm a little stuck with my passthrough setup and was wondering if someone could help. I've currently installed ESXi 4.0 on my Dell SC440. Everything works fine until I purchased a UPS. The UPS is usb controlled and was wondering if there was a way to enable passthrough on my setup?

I've read this post:
http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/VMDirectP ... _Setup.php

I've installed a PCI USB hub with Via chipset as per:
http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_vmd ... ox_HCL.php
and
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1584

but on rebooting the server and host, the option is still greyed out. Would upgrading to version 4.1 help me?

I have downloaded version 4.1. If I upgrade, would I need a new licence key?

Sorry for all the questions!

I would update to 4.1. It includes support for passthrough of USB devices (without using VMDirectpath) so it may end up being a better solution for you.

You don't have to change the license key.

Thank you. Will update to 4.1 and report back!

Hi

Upgraded to 4.1 but configure passthrough is greyed out still.

How do I use passthrough of USB devices (without using VMDirectpath)?

Does the server have any built-in USB ports? If so,
1) attach the USB device to one of those ports
2) shut down the VM and select edit setting
a) add a USB controller to the VM
b) add a USB device.

Excellent
Thanks a lot - the UPS is recognised now in the VM.

Is there a way to get the ESXi host to shutdown within a set timeframe?

I've seen mention of some scripts on VMware's communities forums for this. Are you using the vCLI or PowerCLI to script the shutdown of the host / VMs?

And what kind of UPS are you using?

I haven't got a script as I'm not too good at scripting!!

I'm using the CyberPower Value 800 UPS

I'm just going to use the PowerPanel software that come with the UPS to shutdown the VM.

I also have a QNAP NAS attached to the UPS which I'm hoping can detect the battery level of the UPS.

I would just worry about shutting down the VMs on the host. ESXi takes a configuration backup an 1 minute past every hour. The chances of the power going out during that process are minimal and if the VMs are stopped then it's pretty safe to pull the plug on ESXi.