USB Server

MacMinute: Keyspan introduces USB Server at Macworld Expo this week.

This is significant for many home automation enthusiasts, who often have devices that are best located elsewhere in the home. Such as weather stations, for example.

Update
I spoke with a Keyspan rep at Macworld and left the booth disappointed. They're seemingly not very far along with the software that drives this thing as they had nothing to show in this regards. Additionally, when I asked about a release timeframe, I was told that they're considering a release RSN but only to support USB printers. I was told that 99% of the people who came by the booth wanted it for use with a printer, so that's likely where they'll focus, and then "later" make it work with other devices like scanners, media readers, etc. When I asked about generic serial port use, such as coupled with a Keyspan Serial-to-USB adapter, the response was so nonsensical that I can't even being to characterize it here.

Ugh, that doesn't bode well for home automation use. I have to admit it even puzzles me somewhat, because there are plenty of USB printer servers on the market, so if folks need one of those there's no need to wait for Keyspan at all. Also, this is a four port device, and who in the world has 4 USB printers to share? Certainly that market is as equally small as the home automation market.

Comments

[dude123]

> "Also, this is a four port device, and who in the world has 4 USB printers to share?"

... Good point. Maybe it might not have cost much less to produce a box with just one port. That's counterintuitive, but possible. Just a guess. The simple connectors themselves probably don't cost much, so if the device's USB hub-controller already offered a 4-port capability, maybe it made sense to just put in the 4 connectors? ... I agree that a lot of people might not have 4 devices to share, but maybe a few people will. Personally I'm hoping the thing will eventually work with USB devices other than printers.

[Stephen]

I used to work for Keyspan, so I recently had an opportunity to beta-test their USB Server. Since my wife and I share a USB printer, scanner and a ZIP drive (she runs MacOSX and I run Windows XP), this is a nice way to share them. Both the printer and non-printer functionality was in the version I tested, and they've put the item on their web site, so I'm guessing that RSN is more like RRRSN, now.

[George Musser]

This is a looooooooong time after the original posting, but in case anyone is looking... I've tried the Keyspan server with both the Powerlinc USB and the CM15A, and they work great. I can now control X-10 devices from my wireless laptop.