Hyper-V and USB Check Scanners
I have a customer that has about 8 check scanners for different banks. Right now the check scanners are connected to certain employee's computers. The issue we are having is that when we tried to add multiple scanners to one computer, they conflict with each other. The bank tech support states that we should only have one scanner per computer. Is there a way we can centralize all check scanners in one location using Hyper-V? Can we assign a particular USB port to a particular VM? My first idea was to order 8 Lenovo Tiny computers with a KVM switch but would consider Hyper-V. Any thoughts?
ste5an
What is a "check scanner"?
ASKER
it is a scanner used to deposit checks right from your desk without having to go to the bank.
ah, it depends on the drivers.
I would look at USB-over-IP or USB-over-Network to connect each VM to your scanners at the desks.
Ask the bank tech support about it.
I would look at USB-over-IP or USB-over-Network to connect each VM to your scanners at the desks.
Ask the bank tech support about it.
This cannot be done directly as Hyper-V doesn't allow pass through of the USB to a VM.
However, as this article points out, there are third party solutions.
http://windowsitpro.com/hyper-v/q-how-can-i-attach-usb-devices-hyper-v-virtual-machine
Seems to me that a bunch of VM's could be an expensive solution. I think you need to go to DataCenter server edition to run unlimited VM's.
What kind of check scanner and why do these devices conflict with one another when most USB devices play nice together?
However, as this article points out, there are third party solutions.
http://windowsitpro.com/hyper-v/q-how-can-i-attach-usb-devices-hyper-v-virtual-machine
Seems to me that a bunch of VM's could be an expensive solution. I think you need to go to DataCenter server edition to run unlimited VM's.
What kind of check scanner and why do these devices conflict with one another when most USB devices play nice together?
ASKER
We successfully install the check scanner for bank A. When we install the drivers for a second check scanner for Bank B, Bank A scanner stops working. When we call Bank A tech support they state the check scanner drivers/software are conflicting with each other, which is why we now have one check scanner per PC.
I was think of just getting Windows 7 OEM licensing at $150 each. Much cheaper than buying a new computer for each scanner. Also the real estate for each PC. Right now there are 8 check scanners but they anticipate getting a total of 20 within the next few months.
I was think of just getting Windows 7 OEM licensing at $150 each. Much cheaper than buying a new computer for each scanner. Also the real estate for each PC. Right now there are 8 check scanners but they anticipate getting a total of 20 within the next few months.
We use Fabulatech's USB over Ethernet to connect USB devices to a VM running on Hyper-V. It works really well. It's been in production for many of our clients for years now.
Isn't one cheque scanner the same as another check scanner? Checks these days follow a standard format as that is how clearing houses handle them.
ASKER
Each bank uses different brands and models of scanners. When you visit the bank's website to deposit checks, it looks for the the corresponding scanner. For those of you recommending USB over Ethernet, have you succesfully used it for check scanners?
We're using it for LoB license fobs and they are pretty sticky about security. Works fine in our experience. The VM doesn't know that there is an intermediary in play at all or the license fob would fail.
ASKER
Is it possible to assign a certain USB device, check scanner, to a certain VM? I dont want all VM clients to see all the USB devices as that will put us in the same situation as we are now.
ASKER
We really are not looking to convert USB to network, even though that is a possibliity we did not think about. We were thinking more along the lines of physically connecting the scanner to the VM host computer and assigning a particular USB host to the corresoponding VM Client. I am not too familiar with Hyper-V and not sure if this possible.
Hyper-V does not support USB pass-through.
We really are not looking to convert USB to network...
Unlike NIC's for example, you cannot "pass thru" USB ports to a virtual instance.
The solutions here are not network solutions, per se, rather third party software that runs on the host box to intercept USB port data, convert it to network data and pass it to the virtual NIC on the VM. Third party software on the VM then turns this back into USB data for the drivers than need it,
ASKER
Ok, I think I understand now. So in my case, My host VM server will host my client VM's, the Fabulatech's USB over Ethernet host software and will physically plug in the check scanners into this host server. Then install the Fabulatech's USB over Ethernet client software on the client VM's and assign accordingly.
I've not used Fabulatech's product but the operation is as you have stated for such products.
I am curious to know about your plans for VM instance costs... I think you mentioned 8 scanners with as many as 20? That's a heap of VM's.
I am curious to know about your plans for VM instance costs... I think you mentioned 8 scanners with as many as 20? That's a heap of VM's.
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