IBM Support

VCO on console switch will not work with VMWare 2 and 3 - IBM Rack/Storage (Type 1735)

Troubleshooting


Problem

When using Console Switches that support IBM Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO), the following symptoms occur: 1. The user is unable to install VMware 2 or 3.0.x. 2. The user is unable to install older versions of Linux. 3. Once the operating system is up and running, the mouse and keyboard do not work.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H192052

Symptom

When using Console Switches that support IBM Virtual Media Conversion Option (VCO), the following symptoms occur:

  1. The user is unable to install VMware 2 or 3.0.x.
  2. The user is unable to install older versions of Linux.
  3. Once the operating system is up and running, the mouse and keyboard do not work.

Note: The mouse and keyboard may work to go into BIOS on computers that support USB 2.0.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

  • Rack/Storage, type 1735, any model

The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM Options:

  • Console Switch, Option part number 17352GX
  • Console Switch, Option part number 17354GX

The system is configured with at least one of the following:

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3, any update
  • SUSE Linux 7.3, any Service Pack
  • SUSE Linux Professional 8.0, any Service Pack
  • SUSE Linux Professional 8.2, any Service Pack
  • VMware ESX 2.5.4, any version
  • VMware ESX 3.0.1, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 1.5.1, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 1.5.2, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 2.0, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 2.1, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 2.5, any version
  • VMware ESX Server 3.0, any version

Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software.

Please see the compatibility page for more information:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/
Additional information

This is a permanent limitation. Any computer that does not support USB 2.0 will not work with VCO. Any operating system that does not support USB 2.0 will not work with VCO.

VMWare 2.x and 3.0.x and older Linux versions do not support USB 2.0. Any operating system that does not support USB 2.0 could be affected by this.

The VCO cable presents the keyboard and mouse as a composite USB 2.0 device. Therefore, the BIOS must support 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.

Workaround

Complete the following steps to workaround this issue.

Option 1

Use the IBM USB Conversion Option (UCO) or KVM Conversion Option (KCO) instead. UCO support USB 1.1. There will not be remote media when using UCO or KVM.

Option 2

The user is able to install a USB 1.1 hub between the Server USB port and the VCO USB port. This will slow down the transfer speed to USB 1.1 speeds, but will provide remote media.

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

System x Hardware Options:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-5073025

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