Hosting a USB device on my wireless network?

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firebirdude

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Aug 16, 2004
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So I have a device with a USB connection that I want to make available on my wireless network. This device is very far away from my router and/or PC and cannot be moved (it's an aquarium controller). I have been told that I could use a USB over IP hosting device, which usually converts to an ethernet connection. And since I don't have an ethernet connection anywhere in the room, I'd then need to use an ethernet/WiFi gaming adapter to make it available on my wireless network.

My question is on the USB over IP hosting device. Some of them are extremely expensive ($300+) and some seem extremely inexpensive ($20). I see simple USB printer servers for 20 bucks and under often. Here's an example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ethernet-Wireless-Network-LPR-Print-Server-Printer-Share-Hub-Adapter-USB-2-0-/371245821110?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566ff9acb6
All of these that I find generally talk about how they can support multiple printer protocols blah blah blah. But some specifically say that they will only allow the print portion of a multi function printer to work, not the scanner for example. Well this scares me. Obviously this part is specifically made for printers. BUT then I see an extremely similar one on Monoprice:
http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?pg_no2=2&c_id=105&cp_id=10521&cs_id=1052103&p_id=5344&sortby=&period=&rating=&seq=1&format=4#feedback
And it clearly says it can host USB flash drives, webcams, multifunction printers, etc etc etc. What makes these any different from each other? And are either of these going to work for what I need?

To cap this off, I've seen a couple of devices that seem to go directly from USB to WiFi, which would save me the money/hassle of the ethernet/WiFi gaming adapter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRENDnet-TEW-MFP1-Print-Server-Wi-Fi-IEEE-802-11n-USB-External-/301237120717?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item462321aecd
 
Solution
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Just in case anybody finds this in the future, I GOT IT!

I was trying to connect my Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper to my network.

I used the Monoprice USB Server. Got mine off Amazon for $21.66 shipped under the model number 105343. Monoprice obviously has the same one on their page for not much more money, but under the 5343 model number. It's silver colored and says "USB SERVER" on it vice Print Server, like many do.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JTR620?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=105&cp_id=10521&cs_id=1052103&p_id=5343&seq=1&format=2
I started by connecting an ethernet cable from the USB server directly to my router and inserting a USB flash drive. It worked...
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BuddhaSkoota

BuddhaSkoota

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A print server will only work as a print server, and will not enable other USB devices to work over the network.

The Monoprice device allows media access to certain devices, but will likely not allow you to operate an aquarium controller. The controller would require drivers be loaded to a PC for the directly connected device, and not allow control over a network.
 
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firebirdude

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One of the reps for the aquarium controller company said he has used the USB network hoster to gaming WiFi adapter successfully from a desktop on the network. I asked for specific part/model numbers. But he just said
it's an IOGear product that is no longer made and it needs to be something similar to this:
http://www.startech.com/Networking-IO/USB-PS2/4-Port-USB-over-IP-Network-Hub-Adapter-USB-Ethernet-Device-Server~USB4000IP
Click to expand...
And I can't even actually find that for sale....:(

 
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BuddhaSkoota

BuddhaSkoota

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Aug 16, 2014
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Perhaps something like that will work, but you may risk some frustration in purchasing a product that is not designed specifically for this purpose. I am not familiar with aquarium controllers, so you might possibly get other suggestions if you post the make and model of this device.

Does this controller have an Ethernet interface? If so, you will likely have better luck with that.
 
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firebirdude

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Aug 16, 2004
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Just in case anybody finds this in the future, I GOT IT!

I was trying to connect my Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper to my network.

I used the Monoprice USB Server. Got mine off Amazon for $21.66 shipped under the model number 105343. Monoprice obviously has the same one on their page for not much more money, but under the 5343 model number. It's silver colored and says "USB SERVER" on it vice Print Server, like many do.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JTR620?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=105&cp_id=10521&cs_id=1052103&p_id=5343&seq=1&format=2
I started by connecting an ethernet cable from the USB server directly to my router and inserting a USB flash drive. It worked perfectly. It's like I'm plugging the USB flash drive directly into my computer. Once I knew that worked, I connected it to the Netgear WNCE2001 that I also got off Amazon for $25.25 shipped (refurb).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CO5DZ4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I used the WPS buttons to pair it up to my router and again inserted a USB flash drive. BINGO! Then I moved everything out to the aquarium to get some distance going. Signal strength dropped, but I was able to read the flash drive out there. So I stuck the ReefKeeper's USB stick in and.....like butter! It's exactly like plugging it directly into my desktop computer. It's software pulled it right up and I was able to watch amperage draw and adjust timers in real time. It works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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Solution
F

firebirdude

Distinguished
Aug 16, 2004
113
0
18,690
Just in case anybody finds this in the future, I GOT IT!

I was trying to connect my Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper to my network.

I used the Monoprice USB Server. Got mine off Amazon for $21.66 shipped under the model number 105343. Monoprice obviously has the same one on their page for not much more money, but under the 5343 model number. It's silver colored and says "USB SERVER" on it vice Print Server, like many do.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JTR620?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=105&cp_id=10521&cs_id=1052103&p_id=5343&seq=1&format=2
I started by connecting an ethernet cable from the USB server directly to my router and inserting a USB flash drive. It worked perfectly. It's like I'm plugging the USB flash drive directly into my computer. Once I knew that worked, I connected it to the Netgear WNCE2001 that I also got off Amazon for $25.25 shipped (refurb).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007CO5DZ4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I used the WPS buttons to pair it up to my router and again inserted a USB flash drive. BINGO! Then I moved everything out to the aquarium to get some distance going. Signal strength dropped, but I was able to read the flash drive out there. So I stuck the ReefKeeper's USB stick in and.....like butter! It's exactly like plugging it directly into my desktop computer. It's software pulled it right up and I was able to watch amperage draw and adjust timers in real time. It works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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