Key Features
The TCP/IP connection provided by the AVLabs 4 Port USB Hub enables you to extend your USB devices beyond 5 meters and set up your home office your way
The USB ports are compatible with 2.0 technologies and run a variety of HID devices, printers, storages, and isochronous transmissions.
USB ports work the same as hardware ports, simply plug-in, load your device and you are away!
Targus 4-Port USB Hub $14.98
Targus Ultralife USB Hub $14.98
I'm guessing hardware ports mean USB ports built into laptop/pc chassis.
Does that make the hub ports software ports ???
So a $10 premium for the same item? Gee the professionals must've gotten that one right.
Thanks Updated
TCP/IP connection provided by the AVLabs 4 Port USB Hub
USB hub provide TCP/IP connection?
It appears this works by Ethernet connection. Does this mean you could connect it to your switch?
best to ask the Harvey Norman online rep.
Then post the chat log so we can have a laugh.
Dude it's a USB NIC. So imagine a external network card that connects to your computer via USB.
In the description in the linknit says it connects to your PC by Ethernet cable allowing a distance of more than 5m a common USB limit.
Edit: It looks like HN posted the wrong description so the explanation below is moot.
Nope, it's an embedded server for USB over IP. USB devices connected to the hub can be used like local devices by running a client driver.
May not be the manual for the device in question but this manual describes how it works: http://www.avlab.com.tw/manuals/5303_0333_0020x.pdf @bigspike: Yes, I think you could connect it to a switch, it has an IP address.
Also it appears that only Windows and Mac drivers are available. I have been unable to find out if this hub is compatible with USB over IP standards, if in fact such standards exist. Only just found out about this so still researching.
Another interesting company, apparently Sydney based, that came up in searches: http://www.virtualhere.com/ I found it from a link to an announcement for a USB over IP server for Raspberry Pi.
I've used a similar IP-to-USB switch before, in the office. It was much less useful than expected, only one computer could be "connected" to the USB hub at a time. If you couldn't connect, you had to go around all the other PCs in the office until you found which one was connected, and then tell it to disconnect.
Sorry I was talking about the ultalife
4 port usb2 hubs can be had from US$0.96 delivered form aliexpress (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-4-PORT-USB-HUB-Chic-MINI…)
but at HN you can go instore and scream at them if it doesn't work
4 port usb2 hubs can be had from US$0.96
That one isn't USB2. In the "Item Specifics" section, it says "Interface Type: USB 1.1".
Near as I can figure, that AVLabs hub is a USB-to-Ethernet device - not a network card, but a way of accessing USB devices over TCP/IP. You plug your scanner/printer/whatever into the USB hub, plug it into an Ethernet cable, run the AVLabs software on your PC and then you can trick your PC into thinking the USB device is plugged directly in.
I guess if you wanted to print over WiFi, but didn't have a network-enabled printer; or if you wanted to connect to a USB disk over the network but didn't have a NAS it might be handy. Bear in mind that the software might not work on your PC, and USB connections weren't designed to handle network lag, so it might not work for you.
If there's any networking geeks reading this, you might be able to connect it to a cheap USB serial adapter for cheap remote access to a router.
and then you can trick your PC into thinking the USB device is plugged directly in.
that's a bit deceiving, isn't it?
you guys look for the most complicated explanation…
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AVLabs-4-Port-USB-2-0-Hub-High-Pe…
and yet the simplest is that Harvey Norman made a mistake. That is all.
The problem is Avlabs do make a USB over IP hub. So the question is did HN post the wrong description? If so, then it's a $5 USB 2.0 hub, not worth the bother.
Hey man, the model numbers match.
Yeah, it looks like HN posted the wrong description, but the right photo. This is the USB over IP hub: http://www.avlab.com.tw/usb/1004_0163_001ax.htm
and the manual: http://www.avlab.com.tw/manuals/5303_0333_0020x.pdf already posted above.
So is this USB over ip or not? Its useful for hyperV since it doesn't allow USB.
Well you could call Gordon, the only store (as of last night), that had stock and ask if it looks like the photo. Assuming you can get a sales critter who understands what you're asking. If it looks like the photo, then no, it's just a plain USB hub.
MSY Selling UniTek USB3 4 port hubs for $15…their normal price.
http://www.msy.com.au/peripherals/15468-unitek-y-3046-usb-30…
What is that supposed to mean?