Keyspan is now shipping its new USB 2.0 Server. The server combines the functionality of a USB print server and USB extender. It allows Mac and Windows clients to access two Hi-Speed USB 2.0 devices over Ethernet or WiFi. Keyspan’s USB 2.0 Server lets multiple users share USB devices on a network and extends a USB connection–between a host computer and the USB device–over any distance.
The USB 2.0 Server eliminates the need to dedicate a computer as a host for a USB device. Students, wireless office workers and road-warriors alike can access USB devices from a laptop via WiFi.
USB 2.0 Server Features:
• Connects two USB 2.0 Hi-Speed devices to a (10/100) Ethernet network
• Compatible with USB printers, scanners, digital cameras, storage devices, data loggers and other USB devices
• Supports bi-directional communication with printers that e.g. allows users to monitor ink and paper levels remotely
• For use with Macs running Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later) or Windows XP or Windows Vista PCs
“Enabling users to access USB devices over a network connection offers many new possibilities”, noted Mike Ridenhour, president of Keyspan, in the press release. “Sharing USB devices and extending a USB connection over long distances are key applications for a USB server.” Ridenhour notes that letting users connect to USB devices over WiFi from their laptop, “saves the time and effort of going to the USB device and plugging in a cable.”
Now shipping, the Keyspan USB 2.0 Server retails for US$129.
More info here.
It sounds like something familiar….hmmm
Maybe an Airport Extreme from 7 months ago?
Cool this came in when i logged on.
SOMEBODY HIT IT WITH AN UGLY STICK
Nice idea. My Apple Airport Extreme N wireless router has been doing this for about seven months. Actually, it does a lot more than this Keyspan device does, and it doesn’t cost very much more.
That said, Keyspan makes good products and I am sure this one won’t be any different.
SOMEBODY HIT IT WITH AN UGLY STICK
By the look of the thing, it appears someone already has. Quite hard, too.
Hmmmmm. Shares USB printers wirelessly? Sounds like my Airport Express from several YEARS ago. Same price though. And no AirTunes support.
Comeon guys, I’m surprised you haven’t realised it’s currently impossible to scan with an airport extreme or express
First of all, thanks for the comments everyone.
I would like to point out is that our product allows you network all kinds of devices.
Airport Extreme/Expresss will only do printers and, if you have the new Airport Extreme N, hard drives too.
Unlike Airport products, Keyspan servers allow you to connect more than printers and hard drives. We allow you to actually use all the features of a multifunction printer (Airport only does printing – we can do it all – card readers, fax, scan, etc). You can also connect scanners, input devices, etc. We support USB and you can connect just about anything to our server.
That being said, both products work great together. You wire our server to your Airport’s Ethernet port and now you can have wireless access (via Airport) to your USB devices (via the Keyspan server).
Regarding the ‘ugly design’ comments, we tried to do something different with the design here. If you don’t like the design, we hope the function of the product will justify the purchase.