The Keyspan USB Server looks like a USB hub and acts like a print server, allowing users to access multifunction devices over a LAN. Keyspans USB Server consists of a USB controller, four USB 1.1 ports and an Ethernet port. Using software that can be loaded onto Windows or Mac OS-based hosts, client computers can find the USB Servers controller via UDP port 3842 on the local network and install the controller and any attached USB devices locally.
To the USB Server, I connected an HP LaserJet 1000 that Id been trying to network for years, plus a USB memory key. The USB Server is not ideal for storage because it does not support USB 2.0, but the printer worked just fine.
However, devices attached to the USB Server do not currently support multiple users simultaneously. The active user must disconnect before another user can access the device. Keyspan plans to offer improved multiuser print services to Windows clients in an upcoming firmware release.
The USB Server retails for $129 and shipped last month. More information is available at www.keyspan.com.
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