Changing Configuration at Runtime

Parallels Workstation Extreme allows you to connect or disconnect certain devices at runtime or switch some of them for using other media.

Generally, the following virtual devices can be connected or disconnected at runtime:

• CD/DVD-ROM drive
• Floppy disk drive
• Network adapter
• Parallel port
• Serial port
• Sound device
• USB device
• Shared folders

Note: Only devices enabled in the virtual machine configuration can be connected or disconnected at runtime.

You can configure any of these devices in one of the following ways:

• Click a device icon on the status bar and choose the necessary command from a device shortcut menu.

  The status bar displays the devices information when the virtual machine is running.

• Use the necessary command from the Parallels Workstation Extreme Devices menu. This menu is available only when the virtual machine is running.
• Drag and drop an image file (*.iso or *.fdd) or a shared folder on the appropriate device icon on the status bar. This option is available for CD/DVD-ROM drives, floppy drives and shared folders only.

Connecting a CD/DVD-ROM or a Floppy Drive

If you have several CD/DVD-ROM drives connected to your virtual machine, in the Devices menu they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first CD/DVD-ROM drive will be CD/DVD-ROM 1 , the second will be CD/DVD-ROM 2 , and so on.

Connecting a Network Adapter

You can set up any of the three network modes: Shared Networking, Bridged Networking, or Host-Only Networking. If you have several network adapters used by the virtual machine, on the status bar and in the Devices menu they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first network adapter will be Network Adapter 1 , the second will be Network Adapter 2 , and so on.

Connecting a Parallel Port

If you have several parallel ports used by the virtual machine, on the status bar and in the Devices menu they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first parallel port will be Parallel Port 1 , the second will be Parallel Port 2 , and so on. To change the parallel port emulation device at runtime, click the parallel port icon on the status bar and choose Real Parallel Port , Printer or Connect Output File from the device shortcut menu.

Connecting a Serial Port

If you have several serial ports used by the virtual machine, on the status bar and in the Devices menu they are listed in the same order as they were connected. The first serial port will be Serial Port 1 , the second will be Serial Port 2 , and so on. To change the serial port emulation device at runtime, click the serial port icon on the status bar and choose Real Serial Port , Connect to Socket or Connect Output File from the device shortcut menu.

Connecting a Sound Device

To connect or disconnect a sound device, choose the Activate or Mute options respectively. You can also choose the type of output and input devices.

Connecting a USB Device

Parallels Workstation Extreme automatically detects all USB devices plugged into the host computer. The devices that are currently connected to the virtual machine appear in the list from the Device menu. You cannot use a USB device in the primary operating system while it is being used by the virtual machine. If you want to use the USB device in the primary operating system again, just disconnect it from the virtual machine.

Connecting a Shared Folder

The Shared Folders options available at runtime are much alike the settings in the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog.

You can

• share the host computer disks or Home Folder only with the guest operating system
• share the guest operating system disks with the primary OS
• add a new shared folder

You can connect or disconnect all shared folders at a time by clicking the device icon on the status bar and choosing Connect All or Disconnect All from the device shortcut menu or by choosing the corresponding commands from the Parallels Workstation Extreme Devices menu.