USB network hub for VMware guests

In order to get five VMware ESX guests (Windows 2003) connected to a USB dongle, I had to find something that would let the dongles connect accross the network.
Anything other would lose connection when guests would be migrated from one ESX host to another.

The first recommendation was to use the Digi AnywhereUSB hub, but that one is quite expensive, and the major problem is that it's tied to one server only.
Which would mean a hefty sum in total for all servers.

Looking further I came across the Belkin network USB hub, a lot more affordable, but untested at that time.
But, for the price we could afford to test one and it was ordered.
It isn't meant for 2003, but ignore the warning about the driver not signed and it'll install just fine. The good thing about this one is that it can share the hub over more than one client.
As long as the control software's started, it'll connect to the USB device of your choosing.
The drawback is that it's not a service. The program has to run in a session. This can be solved by logging into the console session (maybe even automatically) and starting the control center automatically. Don't forget to set the screensaver to a short time so the session gets locked quickly.
The other drawback is that clients will grab any unconfigured device that gets plugged into the hub.
In order to get the right device connected to the right server I had to tag one dongle and one port, then disconnect it one by one on all servers that don't get it, and configure it last for the server it belongs to. After this I could plug in the next dongle, etc..
With five ports on a hub I ordered a second one to provide redundancy in case one hub would die. All it takes is configure and tag the ports again for the right dongle and server.

It takes a bit more work with the Belkins, but with a difference of (at this time) €1300,- for 5 servers, and getting a redundant solution for €200,-, it's worth it.
And at the time of this writing it's been running now for six months, and no problems so far.