How to Perform VirtualBox USB Dongle Capturing
Many users believe it is easy to use USB devices in virtual settings. That's far from the truth. To perform this action, users must first navigate several software layers. Then, they'll interact with the drivers that control the hardware resources they need to get the host and guest operating systems to work together.
There are two ways to handle this complex issue.
"On-The-Fly" option
The first is to apply an "On-The-Fly" mechanism to capture a USB device in a VirtualBox. Use the icon at the bottom of the GUI window to select the USB device. The "✓" next to each name in the list means the device has been captured.
Using a USB filter
The second method involves using a USB filter. This method is more effective and reliable because it offers fast connectivity. For example, a running VM can immediately capture a dongle that is connected to the host operating system. USB filters work best when all devices have individual filters.
Note: If you use a Linux host like Ubuntu or Fedora, it's a bit difficult to use a VirtualBox USB dongle. After you log out or reboot the system, you won't be able to see the connected device list unless you're a member of "vboxusers" with a verified membership.
In summary, here's a short guide on how to capture a USB device using a filter.
- Install the VirtualBox extension on your operating system to support USB 2 and USB 3 host controllers.
- Double-check to confirm that the VM is configured and that both USB 2 and USB 3 are enabled.
- Once the USB device is connected to the host, create a new USB filter for the connected USBs using the VM's guest settings. To do so, go to "VM Settings" → "Port" → "USB."
- Once on this page, delete every value except Name, VendorID, and ProductID. Fill in the appropriate values and let the connected device create the filter. Alternatively, you can also select a name and obtain the VendorID and ProductID.
You can always select a name and obtain the VendorID and ProductID. The method varies depending on the device you use.
• When on a Linux host device, use the command "lsusb" to access the VendorID and ProductID.
• On a Mac OS, check system information to access the VendorID and ProductID.
• For Windows, visit the device manager to obtain the same information.
If you already have a VirtualBox extension installed on your device, you can try a different method when using the filter to capture a USB device. Here's how:
- Unplug the USB device.
- Login and start the guest virtual environment with the filter. Ensure that all hard drives and VMDK stop before you proceed.
- Connect the USB device so that it can capture the filter. Once done, you can control the USB with the guest operating system.
