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Connecting two PCs via USB
- Thread starter smithcza
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smithcza
Because of the live feed carried in a USB cable you need a special USB to USB Laplink instead, see below.
I quote:
USB was designed as a PC-to-peripheral communication mechanism. Because of this design, it is not possible to plug a passive cable between the USB ports of two computers and transfer information. In fact, if you try this with an ordinary USB cable, you'll short the two power supplies together, possibly destroying one or both machines. Laplink cables include the necessary electronics to allow for the fastest peer-to-peer communication between the computers, without the dangers of shorting out either machine.
Martin
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Because of the live feed carried in a USB cable you need a special USB to USB Laplink instead, see below.
I quote:
USB was designed as a PC-to-peripheral communication mechanism. Because of this design, it is not possible to plug a passive cable between the USB ports of two computers and transfer information. In fact, if you try this with an ordinary USB cable, you'll short the two power supplies together, possibly destroying one or both machines. Laplink cables include the necessary electronics to allow for the fastest peer-to-peer communication between the computers, without the dangers of shorting out either machine.
Martin
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I agree with Martin that you cannot use just a USB cable. My modest note is to suggest that several manufacturers of such things exist, many long before laplink.
Some vendors, and valuable advice about USB networking, is discussed by the wonderful Johannes Helmig:
Some vendors, and valuable advice about USB networking, is discussed by the wonderful Johannes Helmig:
As Bill has hinted others make these cables.
And that has prompted me to add: the cost of these cables is quite high so may I suggest, two PCI ethernet cards and a "crossed" network cable maybe cheaper, quicker and a more versatile solution.
Martin
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And that has prompted me to add: the cost of these cables is quite high so may I suggest, two PCI ethernet cards and a "crossed" network cable maybe cheaper, quicker and a more versatile solution.
Martin
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I vote with you Martin on ethernet.
But for a very small LAN (say under four workstations) the use of USB and firewire becomes a "hot" LAN implementation. I think despite its theoretical speed, I would guess USB 2.0 likely tops out at 200mbs (bits), but that is very decent. I have little idea about firewire, but in a small LAN I suspect it would be pretty darn quick as well.
But you are absolutely right - it would cost significantly more as a solution than ethernet, and the cable distance is a very, very limiting factor for both USB and 1394.
But for a very small LAN (say under four workstations) the use of USB and firewire becomes a "hot" LAN implementation. I think despite its theoretical speed, I would guess USB 2.0 likely tops out at 200mbs (bits), but that is very decent. I have little idea about firewire, but in a small LAN I suspect it would be pretty darn quick as well.
But you are absolutely right - it would cost significantly more as a solution than ethernet, and the cable distance is a very, very limiting factor for both USB and 1394.
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