Can I use USB to set up a workgroup

[routerman]

I want connect up 3 PC's and a number of USB peripherals, so I thought of using USB for all connections.

As I've only used USB to connect in peripherals I asked a supplier, he is not sure if the PC's would be able to see each other across the USB, for file transfer etc.

Then they sell either USB hubs or switches, but I'm not clear on the different function.

I could do this via a LAN, but would then need to provide additional connections for the USB only devices, so I would prefer a USB only solution.

Finally is USB 2.0 compatible with 1.1?

 

[pmonett]

A USB hub is generally connected to one PC in order to expand the number of available USB slots for that PC.
The only way I know of sharing a USB element (like a printer) is to network the PC and use OS sharing.
I don't know what a USB switch is though, so there is probably more to say.

You do have the possibility of using USB LAN connectors, but you'll be losing two USB slots per PC and, given that full LAN sets are available on the market today (three network cards plus a hub card and cables), I think it would be better to just network your PCs and be done with it.
How else do you think of connecting 3 PCs ?

Pascal.

P.S. : yes, USB 2 is totally compatible with USB 1 devices (and vice-versa, I think).

 

[routerman]

Hi Pascal,

Thanks for the information, I'm used to using LAN to connect devies together, I sort of thought that the USB may offer a similar type of connectivity.

Now I see the difference between USB hub and switch, with the HUB I can connect in multiple devices to my 1 PC. With the switch I can connect a printer and then switch it to the particular PC I'm working on.

I'll be buying a small switch and some LAN cards then, and thanks for the reply.

 

[jrbarnett]

I know that recent versions of Laplink can be used for file transfer/remote control over a USB cable that they can supply.
I am not sure however if you can use this is a mini network for anything more than via Laplink; remember that you will need 3 suitable cables.

John

 

[cdogg]

An ethernet hub or router is often the better choice, but it is possible to network together several PC's using the USB interface with the right devices (USB hub or switch). Just remember that with standard USB 1.1, the max transfer speed is only 12MB/s, whereas with ethernet it is cheap to get up to 100MB/s.


~cdogg
[tab]"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"
[tab][tab]- A. Einstein

 

[tedsmith]

cdogg: How do I connect just 2 pcs so I can transfer files. One PC is on a Novel network that I cant get access to so I cant use ethernet.
I want to use it from within my VB6 application so i cant use laplink.
Does the USB cable have to be a special cross-over like in the ethernet case?

 

[bcastner]

USB networking can support 127 clients, although 20-30 is more reasonable:

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/usbmain.htm