USB over Ethernet

[Cr0nJ0b]

I currently have a cannon MP530 hooked up to a netgear print server and it works...ok. but i'd really like to get it direct connected to my PC so i could use the fax and scan functions from the PC. I can't run a USB cable between the two, so I'm wonfering if there is a method of plugging the USB into my linux box which the printer is next to...and then sharing that port over ethernet to the PC. I've seen products in the market that can do this for windows...USB over ethernet....but not for linux and windows.

any help would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[Wolfsraider]

Easier solution if you have a free pci slot

Usb pci cards

Install into computer you want to connect it to.

If this wont work for you sorry you didnt specify if there was a free slot (pci) available.

 

[herm0016]

cant you just use the linux box to share the printer over the network? that is how we set up our dorm with one printer for the 4 of us and our 5 computers, just hook it to a computer, share it over the network and than you can use it from each computer. don't you have to stand there if you are going to scan/fax something anyway? you could just print over the network and use the other computer to transfer the files when you do scan stuff.

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

thanks, but neither of these ideas would work. The issue is not the number of USB ports...I have tons of those. They are just 25 feet away from the printer...that's in the closet. I could and have used the linux box as a print server, but then I lose most of the fax and scan functionality.

I've found this link:

Linux usb over ethernet

but it is pretty old and I'm worried that it won't work with my FC4 system...also I don't see any windows drivers.

then there is this link...

windows

but it doesn't have linux drivers...

I could try it with VMware, but I was hoping for something better.

 

[vshah]

you could just run a long usb cable to your printer from your pc...

 

[alaricljs]

If you go the long USB cable route you're going to have to get an 'active' USB extension. Basically a USB hub with 1 port on the end of a long cable. standard limit is 15 ft so just 1 active and 1 normal cable will get you the 25' (that is if it's 25' after routing the cable nicely).

 

[herm0016]

i have a 25 foot usb cable that works fine. right now its going about 3 feet to my printer. i think you should just try it. see what happens. otherwise put a powered hub between them. maybe that would help.