Appendix B: Virtual media
Virtual media and USB 2.0 constraints
The virtual media feature of KVM s4 switches enables you to connect
to the USB port of an attached computer. With this feature, a user
located at the switch or using the remote software can access a local
USB storage device, such as a USB CD/DVD-ROM drive, diskette
drive, or flash drive, from an attached computer.
The VMC adapter cables are composite devices that address four
functions: keyboard, mouse, DVD drive, and mass storage device. The
CD/DVD drive and mass storage device will be present on the target
device whether or not a virtual media session is mapped. If a media
device is not mapped, it is shown without media present. When a
virtual media device is mapped to the target device, the target device
will be notified that media has been inserted. When the media device
is unmapped, the target device will be notified that the media was
removed. Therefore, the USB virtual device is not disconnected from
the target device.
The adapter cable presents the keyboard and mouse as a composite
USB 2.0 device. Therefore, the BIOS must support a composite USB
2.0 human interface device (HID). If the BIOS of the connected
computer does not support this type of device, the keyboard and
mouse might not work until the operating system loads USB 2.0
device drivers. If this occurs, there might be a BIOS update provided
by the computer manufacturer that will provide BIOS support for a
USB 2.0 connected keyboard and mouse.
Booting a computer using virtual memory
In many cases the virtual media feature can boot an attached computer
from a device attached to the USB port on the switch. Most computers
with a USB port can use virtual media; however, limitations in some
USB media devices and the BIOS of some computers might prevent
the computer from booting from a USB device attached to the KVM
s4 switches.
Booting from a virtual USB device is dependant on the target device
supporting booting from an external composite USB device. It also
requires a CD/DVD of the operating system that supports external
USB 2.0 booting.
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