Smart card reader / USB device redirection

[alfa111]

Hello,

we are finding a solution how to redirect smart card reader from Windows PC (Windows 7 or Windows server 2016) to remote Linux server (virtualized on Hyper-V).

So I tried NoMachine NX free version, but I can’t see USB device as well as smart card reader on remote Linux machine.

After the session to remote Linux (I tried Ubuntu 18.04 as well as Centos 7) server is created (physical display), I clicked to the right high corner and from the menu I chose Devices. Here in this submenu I tried Smart Card Readers as well as Connect a USB device.

When I select some USB device, after a while red exclamation mark appears.

When I select Smart Card Reader, green small ring appears. I checked SC reader passthrough by pcsc_scan. I can’t see any reader there.

I’ve attached NX logs from Linux server.

Please, can you give me some advice, what is wrong? Thank you very much.

 

(nxusb.ko was successfully compiled and is now loaded)

Attachments:

1. log_linux.tar.gz

[Giorgi-G.]

Hi,

First of all it’s important to mention that the options “Connect a USB device” and “Smart Card Readers” uses different mechanisms for forwarding devices.

“Connect a USB device” is a common mechanism that typically works with most USB devices. The simplest way to check whether the problem is in your smartcard or in USB devices forwarding mechanism is to try to forward another USB device such as Flash Drive.

The logs from the Windows side, where hardware is connected may be helpful.

[alfa111]

Hello Giorgi-G.,

thank you very much for your reply.

I tried another USB device (the Flash Drive as you recommend and USB bluetooth dongle), but the result was the same.

I’ve noticed, that after the device is selected for forwarding (in USB forwarding option), the tcp port 5040 is opened on local system. So I tried to telnet this port from remote system and the connection was successful.

I’ve attached logs from Windows side.

Thanks for your advice.

Attachments:

1. log_windows.zip

[Giorgi-G.]

Hi,

Thanks for provided info and logs.

We’re investigating and will try to reproduce in our lab. We will come back to you as soon as possible.

 

[alfa111]

Hi Giorgi-G,

any new information, please?

[frank]

Hi,

look here

https://www.nomachine.com/AR12J00658

[alfa111]

Hi frank,

thanks for the link. But I have successfully compiled and loaded nxusb.ko on my station.

[Britgirl]

@alfa111, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We’re still investigating and will update the topic soon.

[frank]

Hi,

I have the same problem,  any new information?

thx

[Giorgi-G.]

Hi,

We are still unable to reproduce this despite several attempts.

@frank, can you please tell us what versions of OS you use and your smart card reader version?

And also, have you tried to forward some another USB device, not SM reader ?

Regards.

[Britgirl]

@Frank, @alfa111 – we need the specific device/model – we’re not able to reproduce in our lab at all.

[alfa111]

Hi Britgirl,

I have tried my tests with Gemalto IDBridge CT30 and some Transcend USB Flash drive. Can you give us some info, what is wrong in log files? Or can you give any info about successfully tested USB device?

Thank you very much.

[Giorgi-G.]

Hi,

The thing that you can’t forward even USB flash drive indicates that the issue is not in the smart card reader, it’s probably in the USB forwarding module.

That’s why we weren’t able to reproduce it because of we were testing Omnikey 3021 USB Smart Card Reader.

For now we suggest to update NM to the latest version and try to make the following test.

Connect in NM to remote host. Go to USB forwarding tab, list devices.

Do you see here local and remote devices listed?

After close devices tab and type following command in remote Linux terminal:

lsmod | grep nxusb

If result is empty – try to type next one command:

sudo insmod /usr/NX/bin/drivers/nxusb.ko 

And after repeat first command and send us terminal output.

 

Also check out this article: https://www.nomachine.com/AR05O00929

[Author]

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