USB Passthrough of licensing dongle

Kajetan321

I'm trying to use XCP-ng and Xen for software testing. I have software that uses Thales USB licensing dongles (to use software, you need a hardware dongle attached).

I have been following instructions on here mostly: [XCP-ng USB Passthrough(https://www.techtutorials.tv/sections/xcp-ng/xcp-ng-usb-passthrough/) I have been able to get it to work.

My concern is that there may be problems down the road. Apparently, the pass through does not survive Xcp-ng host reboot. I also read that USB pass though interferes with snapshots and backups.

Could someone elaborate what additional constraints USB pass though brings to snapshots and backups? Does it matter if I'm passing though an actual USB device rather than a USB flash drive?

I would like to +1 on more love for USB pass through in Xcp-ng and Xen Orchestra.

olivierlambert

If you really need to get something ultra reliable on that side, the usual technique around here is to use USB over IP (I don't remember the exact hardware, but we've seen solutions that are working very well).

I'm trying to remember who used that in the community here, but I can't remember. Lurkers: please help me here

Kajetan321

It would be great to hear what brands/products people are successful using for this. I have no experience with this technology.

olivierlambert

Yes, I agree. We should maybe even document this at some point. Let's see how long for the community to bring the right answers

Kajetan321

I found this: https://www.digi.com/products/networking/infrastructure-management/usb-connectivity/usb-over-ip/anywhereusb

Not cheap but they mention "virtualization" and "software license key fob" in their marketing blurb.

I would prefer a cheaper USB 2.0 version as I don't need the speed of USB 3.1.

Andrew

@Kajetan321 I have not used that item but I was going to post it as I also found reviews that said it was used for a dongle to connect to a windows VM. Not cheap and known for poor software and support.

Kajetan321

Well, if the software and support are poor, than maybe different vendor is best.

Forza

@Kajetan321 we use the digi anywhere USB 24 because we needed so many devices. But it works great. We also have a my-utn USB dongle server for year. Really good stuff both of them.

https://www.seh-technology.com/services/downloads/download-deviceserver/myutn-50.html

https://hub.digi.com/support/products/infrastructure-management/digi-anywhereusb-24-plus/

KPS

I am using USB-servers from SEH and Silex. Both of them are working.

Silex can provide higher Performance - SEH is IMHO nicer for license-dongels, etc.