Open Stack

On Wed, 2014-04-23 at 02:01 +0000, Yuanjing (D) wrote:
> Hi
> 
> I have proposed three BPs about usb-passthrough.
> 1. Usb-passthrough is the core function I want to provide which is in https://review.openstack.org/#/c/86404/.
> 2. The function of specify usb controller for usb-passthrough is for refine the use of Usb-passthrough, which is 
> in https://review.openstack.org/#/c/88337/. 
> 3. The function of specify usb controller is the prerequisite of specify usb controller for usb-passthrough which is 
> in https://review.openstack.org/#/c/88334.
> 
> The backgrounds are:
> I want to make a detailed explanation about why I suggest to provide this function.
>  
> We provide VDI(Virtual Desktop) and server virtualization solutions for customers, our customers have strong requirements for using USB devices.
>  
> The typical use cases and our solutions are described as below:
> 
> 1.In VDI solution, customers want to use local USB printers or USB scanners with TC(Thin-Client), because remote desktop protocol like ICA have already support USB-redirection, 
> so customers only need to attach USB device to TC, the protocol can map USB device to VM.
> 
> 2. In virtualization solution, when starting or restarting some business-critical applications, a connected USB-KEY is needed for authentication, 
> some applications even need a daily authentication by USB-KEY. we suggest the following solutions:
> (1) Using physical 'USB-HUB' box and technology of USB-redirection over TCP/IP. Customers need to buy USB-HUB and install software in guest os, the software helps
> redirecting USB device to VM.
> 
> (2) Using USB-Passthrough and USB hot-plug functions provided by our virtualization software. The end users(normally application or system administrators) 
> insert USB devices to host that containing the VM, then  can see USB device list in portal and choose USB device to attach.
> 
> This solution has advantages that
> 1. It doesn't need additional physical devices 
> 
> 2. It doesn't need a special server to run spice client for USB-Redirection 
> 
> 3. Business-critical applications commonly need stable and long-standing USB-KEY to attach, USB-Passthrough maybe more stable than USB-Redirection over TCP/IP or remote desktop protocol.

Hi Jing, thx for your above email.

I think of cloud computing as providing a way for users to *not* have to
manage hardware -- they are free to work with virtual servers and then
throw them away when not needed or get a new one quickly if something
bad happens.

I'm afraid I don't see any relation to what I think of as "cloud" in the
second use case you list above. I don't think having a system
administrator running around to a physical machine in a datacenter and
plugging in a USB key is a "cloudy" activity.

For the first use case, however, where the user inserts a USB device on
the thin client and USB redirection allows the VM to read/write to the
USB device on the thin client, I certainly see a good use case there.

However, I am uncertain which of your blueprints deals exclusively with
the first use case. Could you advise on that?

Best,
-jay