USB over Network

[Penth]

I'm wondering if software exists that would let you use and control a usb device over ethernet. I imagine it would have to have a program running on a server and some kind of software driver combination on the client. Is there a reason that this wouldn't be possible if it doesn't exist?

Also, I guess this is kind of in the same topic. I hear about Wireless USB coming out sometime in the near-ish future. Does anyone know if current usb peripherals could be plugged into a wireless usb hub and made compatible?

 

[ShellGuy]

Penth how about this what are you trying to do? I run my USB printer through the network and can get to my USB Hdd on my secodn system through the network.
what are you looking for here?



Will G.

 

[Penth]

I want to move my scanner to my server so it doesn't have to be on the desk next to my computer. I already have printers and hard drives shared. I doubt something like I need actually exists. Maybe if I get a really long usb extension, but I think they're only supposed to be 12' or something.

 

[Tostada]

This is something that currently has to be supported directly by the drivers. For example:

http://www.umax.co.uk/support/technotes/n005B.htm

If you're actually trying to scan across the network, I hope you have GB ethernet with large frames.

If your server has no monitor, I think a more reasonable solution (if less elegant) would be to simply RDP into the server and scan from there, saving to a shared drive.

 

[Tostada]

Actually, Googling "USB over ethernet" gives 5,130,000 results:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=USB+over+ethernet&btnG=Google+Search

But still, every one of these devices that I've actually seen has pretty mediocre throughput. I see in those Google results that there are several claiming USB 2.0 speeds, but I certainly wouldn't count on them being anywhere near as fast as a real USB 2.0 connection, which is going to be a major bottleneck for scanning.

edit: NewEgg has one for $40. Looks like a great deal if you can handle USB 1.1 speeds:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812101152

You also have to realize that something like that is only an extender. There's no way the $40 box is actually generating IP traffic that will work through a hub/switch.