usb-passthrough

[TErxleben]

Is it possible to (reliably) pass a USB device to multiple VMs? I'm primarily concerned with smart card readers. So no write access.

 

[leesteken]

Is it possible to (reliably) pass a USB device to multiple VMs?

Only if you pass it to one VM at a time (just like physical machines). Maybe use a physical USB switch that allows you to select which USB port (give each VM a separate physical port) gets the device (as you would with physical machines)? Or maybe use USB/IP and some scripting to switch between VMs using software commands?

 

[TErxleben]

I understand that with read/write access. But read-only access? Have you had any experience with that? In the ProxmoxGUI I could assign a USB device multiple times.

 

[leesteken]

But read-only access?

The USB protocol does not support multiple hosts AFAIK.

Have you had any experience with that? In the ProxmoxGUI I could assign a USB device multiple times.

Did you try it? I would be really surprised if it works in the way you hope it will.

 

[TErxleben]

Then I'll have to try it out, willy-nilly. I hoped someone had already had experience with this.

 

[leesteken]

Then I'll have to try it out, willy-nilly. I hoped someone had already had experience with this.

Give it some time; maybe someone with more experienced will reply later. I would like it to work and hope that someone will correct my pessimism.

 

[TErxleben]

Of course I will be patient. I will definitely post my experience here. Thank you for your exchange of ideas.

 

[leesteken]

Then I'll have to try it out, willy-nilly. I hoped someone had already had experience with this.

Someone has ran into using the same USB device with two VMs: https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/why-is-one-to-many-usb-device-attachment-possible.155191/

 

[TErxleben]

Thanks for the tip.
Even if it unfortunately presents more problems if you want to implement my plan.