Re: Networking Two Computers via USB

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Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 16:45:56 +0100
To: Douglas Allen <kb9agt@yahoo.com>

On Thu, Dec 30, 2004 at 10:36:07PM -0800, Douglas Allen wrote:
> Hi hackers,
>
> I am interested in connecting my Linux machine to my windows XP machine.

Neither Linux nor Windows is FreeBSD, why do you ask in a FreeBSD
list?

 
> I was going to try the USB ports first. Now I've opened a can of worms.
>
> Assuming one could buy a USB A-male to A-male cable, is there a danger in connecting
>
> each computer directly? Where can I get more information on the pin outs of the USB ports?
>
> I see that adaptors are sold for such purposes. Is that because there is some danger of
>
> frying those ports? I know there is a power connection on a USB port. I don't need to supply
>
> power to any PC port. What leads may I use just for data? Do they need to be like a null-
>
> modem cable? Probably that's why there are so many schemes to xfer data such as flash
>
> memory keys. I want to go direct without a hub or an adaptor. Is there a cable to make it
>
> all work ok? Any reply would be greatly welcome. 73s all.

USB is single master.

You can't connect two masters (hosts) directly together.

A-A cables are illegal in sense of the USB specs, they don't work and
can even damage the systems.
Thosese cables are mostly sold because in a early USB specification
there was only A connectors and a early hardware designs used A
connectors instead of B.
I personally would avoid such hardware.

There are other options to connects computers together via USB.
- Use two USB-Ethernet adapters and X-link them together and
  do Ethernet.
- Use two USB-serial adapters and X-link them together and do
  ppp, slip, xmomdem or whatever.
- Use a special host to host adapter - those simulate an serial
  adapter at each host side.
  AFAIK those adapters are all limited to USB-1.1 speed, so the
  Ethernet way can be faster if both sides can do high speed.

-- 
B.Walter                   BWCT                http://www.bwct.de
bernd@bwct.de                                  info@bwct.de
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• Previous message: Venkata Subramanian: "Wish You All a HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.."
• In reply to: Douglas Allen: "Networking Two Computers via USB"
• Next in thread: M. Warner Losh: "Re: Networking Two Computers via USB"
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