MultiSwitch hub will allow LAN-less USB sharing

Sharing USB devices is about to get a lot simpler thanks to a new hub powered by technology from chip developer SMSC, which will allow two computers to access up to four shared devices without the need to set up a local area network. Called the MultiSwitch hub, this device creates a proprietary behind-the-scenes network, allowing USB-equipped printers, cameras, hard drives, and other peripherals to be accessed by any combination of desktop, laptop, HTPC, or game console -- with both machines able to interact with the devices simultaneously, according to the developer. PC OEMs are supposedly working on MultiSwitch-enabled chips for distribution this fall, with the resulting consumer electronics products expected to hit stores early next year.

[Eric @ Apr 17th 2006 2:03PM]

I've been waiting for this for a while... I'm on a notebook now, but my sister has a desktop, and I'm buying an iMac... with one printer, it's hard to get stuff done.

[holk @ Apr 17th 2006 2:15PM]

That is great because I cannot get a printer shared between an OS X Mac and an XP PC to save my life.

[glacia00 @ Apr 17th 2006 2:46PM]

Peripheral manufacturers should incorporate this into their devices. I have at least 2 peripherals that have 2 USB ports and yet you can only use one at a time.

[nojok3 @ Apr 17th 2006 3:16PM]

I'll be using this to access my iPod from my dock while on my laptop. I only wish that when you remoted into a computer you could use the computer you are remoting with and plug a device and use it on the computer you are remoted into (like remote into a computer with itunes with your ipod connected to another computer). It wouldn't happen because of security reasons but certainly would be nice

[john @ Apr 17th 2006 3:20PM]

USB cords can only go about 24 inches without a powered repeater, so good luck ditching the Ethernet

[Dave @ Apr 17th 2006 3:41PM]

It must depend on the peripheral. My webcam is hooked up to my PC with a ten-foot unpowered USB cord and works just fine.

[rubrduk @ Apr 17th 2006 3:49PM]

this is a nice option...it'll take the sting out of USB networking, i'm gonna order a few for work. btw - #2 if you want to network OSX and XP PC then use appletalk/bonjour, it's the best way without a real network

[rj @ Apr 17th 2006 3:54PM]

I've been waiting for something like this for my scanner, since you can't currently (easily?) share scanners.

[Spyvie @ Apr 17th 2006 4:19PM]

Wow, so many positive comments. My initial reaction is why would anyone need this? If you have more than one computer your going to have a router� shows ya what I know�

BTW, I have a Epson printer running on a 10ft USB extension, no problem.

[Jeff @ Apr 17th 2006 4:23PM]

#2 wrote: "That is great because I cannot get a printer shared between an OS X Mac and an XP PC to save my life."

No need to reinvent the USB wheel just for this. Just share the printer using the standard UNIX LPR/LPD print server (remember OS X is UNIX-based) on OS X, then connect to it from Windows 2000/XP using the following instructions (to Windows, the Mac print server will appear to be a standard UNIX LPR/LPD print server): http://www.le.ac.uk/cc/dsss/docs/print-lpr.shtml

[Bob Rutherford @ Apr 17th 2006 4:27PM]

#2 - Holk

Check out joelandfaith.com - this guy is brilliant when it comes to sorting out problems like networking Macs and PCs together. He helped me out, and my Powerbook now shares 2 printers with 3 PCs.

Hope you get your problem fixed!!

[Jez Hildred @ Apr 17th 2006 4:31PM]

sounds a lot like the Keyspan USB server that's been out for ages

http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/server/

[atomb @ Apr 17th 2006 4:35PM]

John said:
"USB cords can only go about 24 inches without a powered repeater, so good luck ditching the Ethernet"

you're f'n brilliant....look at the 48" cable on your mouse before trying to sound smart...i don't see a powered repeater halfway to my laptop.

d1ckweed.

[Quin @ Apr 17th 2006 5:18PM]

This will be great when it comes out for my work on location. We will use it with 3-4 computers connected to one highspeed USB hard drive. So that one computer will be used to drop the work on to the drive and the others can pull the files that they need off the hard drive at USB speed rather than over a busy network. Plug and play connections rather than having to trouble shoot why the PCs cant see the Macs to pull files. For my use, this kills the need for Network attached storage as USB is way faster than ethernet.

[AJ @ Apr 17th 2006 8:24PM]

24 inches, lmao.

[nizzy1115 @ Apr 17th 2006 8:56PM]

or the fact that your printer comes with a 6 ft standard cable.

According to: http://www.motu.com/techsupport/technotes/document.2002-05-29.5489874677 and many other sources, the max usb length is 5 meters (or 16.5 feet). Any longer than that and you need a repeater. Thus, the standard cord is 6 ft and your extender is 10 ft == 16 feet total which doesnt need a repeater...

[James @ Apr 17th 2006 11:32PM]

Been waiting for something like this for such a long time. The low-speed's a little downer though, but it's a start.

[gem @ Apr 18th 2006 1:51AM]

ahh, this is great. my KVM has a three port hub that my two computers can share, except that the usb speed is 1.1.
can't wait for this. the only thing i have hooked up to the hub on the KVM now is a webcam and my USB mouse. I hooked up my 2.5" disk to it and the transfer sppeds were too slow.