parallel ports in VMware

Lanz · 25 Jun 2012 at 11:55

We had an old server, but it died so we P2V'd it. It had parallel port license dongle for a certain application - is it possible to access this dongle from a VM if I can find a server that has a parallel port?

anything I don't mind · 26 Jun 2012 at 09:51

I am not sure if vmware supports parallell ports. if you can find a server that has one and put esxi on it, you might be lucky. Otherwise you could look for an updated version of the application or device that works off usb or just reinstall the software on a deskop pc and import the database.

We have two desktop pcs in our server room, one has the door swipe software on it which connects with serial port and the other is for recording calls which has an analog modem.

Little_Crow · 26 Jun 2012 at 10:08

From what I've read, ESX allows you to passthrough parallel ports, ESXi does not.
So you'd need to be using the licensed version, and it would have to be ESX 4.

As groen has has said, if there is an updated version that can run off a USB dongle this might be easier.

walnuts · 26 Jun 2012 at 10:22

I think you'll need to look for 'parallel over IP' hardware or software. Something like this:

http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb#overview

I've found software solution to be a lot cheaper.

J.B · 26 Jun 2012 at 13:47

walnuts said:
I think you'll need to look for 'parallel over IP' hardware or software. Something like this:

http://www.digi.com/products/usb/anywhereusb#overview

I've found software solution to be a lot cheaper.

I was going to suggest something like this. I've done Serial over IP with a Digi product which worked really well in the end. If you have any questions then I might be able to help

Lanz · 29 Jun 2012 at 12:20

Thanks all, I've bought a Lantronix IP/Serial adapter, it'll hopefully work otherwise im in the stuck.