Have you ever been frustrated by plugging and unplugging USB devices from your measly 2 USB ports (typically most PCs only come with 2 ports) I know I have constantly had to plug/unplug a USB printer, Canon PowerShot G3 digital camera, iPaq sync cradle, Plantronics USB headset, Intel videocamera, and more from my PC. I thought about buying a USB hub to add more ports, but I guess I'm just too damn cheap.
Actually I just couldn't justify spending the money on USB hub just due to the "laziness factor" of having to plug/unplug USB devices.
I did wish I could "share" my USB peripheral devices on the network so that my network of PCs (home & work) could share the USB devices without having to move them.
Well, my wish has come true with Keyspan's USB Server! This is cool stuff!
Check out the news release I received:
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Below find news from Keyspan as it ships its new USB Server which represents an entirely new product category that supports USB devices as a class rather than just USB printers.
Richmond, CA-- April 12, 2004 -- Keyspan, America's #1 brand of USB connectivity products*, announces it is now shipping its revolutionary USB Server that connects USB devices to a Mac or PC via a wired or wireless Ethernet-based LAN.
The Keyspan USB Server has an MSRP of $129 and is available to resellers from Ingram Micro, Wynit and D&H; and to consumers at CompUSA, CDW, and other leading computer products resellers.
Much like a USB print server, the USB Server enables attached USB devices to be used and shared by client PCs on a LAN. In addition to printers, the USB Server supports other USB devices such as scanners and multi-function printers.
The USB Server provides 4 ports for connecting to USB devices at Full Speed USB (12 Mbps). It connects to 10/100 Ethernet networks via an RJ45 connector and supports static IP, DHCP, and Apple's Rendezvous address assignment. Client PCs must be running Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Mac OSX 10.2.8 or higher.
"The Keyspan USB Server makes it possible to share USB printers and USB scanners across a LAN in a home office, small office or classroom," stated Mike Ridenhour, president of Keyspan. "Client PCs can be wired or wireless - providing a great way to print from a Wi-Fi-based laptop."
