Microsoft Hyper-V is a hypervisor-based virtualization management tool for x86-64 systems. The basic benefits of this solution to businesses are low cost, isolation of each guest OS, possibility to run multiple servers on one computer and manage resources such as CPU and memory for different virtual machines.
However, the main disadvantage of Hyper-V is the lack of USB support. Most users need USB devices to work in the virtual environment, and Hyper-V does not offer this functionality. Luckily, this limitation can be overcome with the help of FabulaTech's USB over Network. This easy-to-use software tool requires no special knowledge and can share any types of USB peripherals, including:
- USB flash drives
- USB Dongles
- USB License Keys
- USB IronKeys
- USB fingerprint scanners
- USB signature pads
- USB IrDa devices
- HardDisk Drives
- Iphones, Ipads, Ipods
- MP3 players and more!
FabulaTech USB over Network doesn't require any complicated adjustments. All you need to do is configure the Client part to connect to the Server's IP address, and it will instantly redirect USB devices from your physical computer to your virtual Hyper-V desktop.
You don't need to worry about having to set up Microsoft Firewall for the connection to work - USB over Network is a firewall-friendly solution. However, if for some reason USB over Network is not listed there, you need to add it manually.
1. Get USB over Network now!
You can download it right from www.fabulatech.com. The free trial version is fully functional and offers all features of the product for you to test in your particular environment.
2. Install USB over Network on a Hyper-V virtual machine.
Just like you would do on any regular Windows machine - no special tricks or instructions for Hyper-V. The Server part is to be install on your physical computer and the Client part – on your virtual Hyper-V machine.
- Install the Server part on the physical machine.
- Share your working folder on the physical computer.
- Copy usb-over-network-client.msi to the shared working folder.
- Run the file and follow the installation guide to install the Client part on the Hyper-V virtual machine.
Normally USB over Network is registered in Windows Firewall automatically, but if it is not, do the following steps:
- From the Start menu go to Control Panel.
- Click on the Network and Internet icon.
- Select Network and Sharing Center, and then in the left panel choose Windows Firewall.
- In the left panel, click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall.
- Click the Change settings button.
- Click the Allow another program button and select USB over Network Server from the list.
- Click the Add button.
3. Redirect your USB peripherals.
USB over Network allows you to redirect and work with any USB peripherals in a Hyper-V virtual machine. It doesn't require any special knowledge or settings. Launch the corresponding parts of the program on the physical and virtual machines and plug a USB device. That is all it takes!
- Launch USB over Network Server on the physical computer.
- Plug a USB peripheral into the physical computer.
- In the USB over Network Server window, select the device and click the Share button.
- Launch USB over Network Client on the Hyper-V virtual machine.
- In the USB over Network Client window, click the Add Remote USB Server button.
- In the Remote IP address or computer name field, put IP address or the name of your physical computer.
- The shared USB device will appear in the USB over Network Client window.
- Select the device and click the Connect button.
- Now the device is available on the virtual machine.