CAC reader through VRDE using Remote Desktop

[Royd]

Hello All,

I have a Windows 10 Pro Guest running on a Linux (CentOS 7) host (but I don't think the host is relivant in this case). I have a CAC (DoD smart card) Card Reader (SCR3310) used for login and authentication on the Windows guest. Having the USB reader plugged into the host works fine. I am able to log in. The problem is when I try to setup VRDE Port and access the guest from another host. I typically connect using Remote Desktop from another Windows host, and I can login with a username and password, but the USB CAC Reader does not pass thought the Remote Desktop session. I have also tried connecting from various Linux hosts using various linux RDP clients (even my Android tablet). But it appeaers that the CAC Reader on USB does not pass through the RDP session. The USB mouse and keyboard and other devices seem to pass through just fine. But the CAC Reader is not seen by the guest at all.

If I leave the CAC Reader plugged into the host where the guest is running, I can connect through RDP on another host and login fine. But, I obviously cannot leave the CAC Smart Card in the host with the guest as I need to keep it with me. So, I need to be able to pass it through the RDP connection.

Any ideas why the USB CAC Reader is not passing through the RDP connection? It appears that this is a limitation on VirtualBox's side.

Thank you!
Justin

[socratis]

So, let me get this straight... You want to have your authentication device somewhere in the world, and RDP in the VM and have that be the one that authenticates you?

AFAIK, USB devices do not get "forwarded" in RDP sessions. Think about your printer or your USB stick. Those don't get "forwarded", do they? Keyboard and mouse are not USB devices that are forwarded, don't be confused.