USB extender cable question

[JCROCCO]

There is a device that has two connectors that attach to the ends of a cat5e cable that can extend a usb to 150 feet (supposedly). This is good. If this actually would work, I was then wondering if I can add a splitter to the other end to extend 2 or 3 or 4 at 150 feet.

What I am trying to do is connect my computer to our phone equipment via the USB ports on the panasonic phone equipment that is about 50-100 feet away. If the extender works, I have an extra cat5e cable at my desk going to the phone area, and wanted to put a splitter up there and connect to two different pieces of equipment (that do have their own power)

I asked the manufacturer, and got a funny response (see below). Whats the difference of using a splitter at the computer, or at the end of a cable, or at the end of this extender cable?

The item is "GUCE50". You can put that on google images and find it easily.

Their response is as follows:
It is difficult to say for certain, not knowing exactly what you are trying to
accomplish, but please take the following into consideration
1- The Extender will not supply power to the devices on the non computer end
2- If the devices on the other (non computer) end are powered, AND you are
using a relatively short USB cable you should be OK.
I would approach this carefully, you don?t have to worry about destroying
anything, but it appears as though you are trying to get something for
nothing which, in the computer world usually means it won?t work
IOGear Service Support.

Any help with this is appreciated.

 

[JackMDS]

I am Not familiar with your equipment and never saw the IOGear Gizmo.

However what is communicating by IOGear people make sense.

USB is Not a matter of fitting cables.

Normal USB needs a computer on one side. So there are cheap USB to Ethernet devices that convert the computer output from USB to Ethernet.

If you need USB to Ethernet for an independent device, that is Not a Computer Mobo, the device needs to be a special device that emulates the Mobo functions for the specific device. Such adaptors are usually device specific and cost much more than a simple Master USB to Ethernet converter (USB Printer Server as an Example for such a Device).

Judging from what I see at the IOGear page the device needs the computer?s Master USB on one side. I.e. you can not use it as a general extender between two USB clients.

And if used to extend USB client connected to a computer you can not count on the 5V supply to reach 150? the USB Client need to be.

I would add that given the fact that this gizmo is already two years on the market and Not well known says something about its usefulness.

:sun:

 

[JCROCCO]

Thanks for the reply. How else can one go from a computer to a device via a USB when it is 50' away or so? This device claims to do that. What else can work? USB has become very very popular, even tho its short distant requirements are a hinderence.

 

[c3p0]

The answer to your question is yes!!!

See Here

We have been using these at work for the past couple of years with great success.

c3p0
:beer:

 

[JackMDS]

Might be that my explanation was over inclusive.

If the Panasonic by nature connects directly to a Computer's USB then both devices that mentioned above would work.

I.e. Computer ? USB to CAT5e converter ------------------- CAT5e to USB converter ?Client USB

I do not know prices, but the device mentioned by c3p0
is a better device since it seems Not to be limited by the 5V current issue.

:sun: