We were looking for a reliable USB server software with a free trial to access and share various USB devices between Windows and Linux (and in some cases even Mac) computers. As it turned out, USB Network Gate is the only solution of that kind that could meet our criteria. The macOS installer file is large with approximate size of 6 to 10GB depending upon the. The software lets you get USB server Linux, USB server Mac, or Windows USB server. That means users on either platform with the software installed will be able to share and access USB devices over the network by creating cross-platform connections. Security of data transmission. With the advanced traffic encryption option offered by USB.
USB port types and names
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard for connecting computers and other devices. It's available with many types of ports, and each type has a unique shape. On Mac computers, USB is available with these ports, depending on your Mac model:
USB-A
Type USB-A ports are commonly called USB, USB 2, or USB 3 ports, depending on the USB specification they support. They aren't reversible, so a USB-A connector plugs into the port only when oriented correctly.
USB-C
Type USB-C ports are available as either standard USB-C ports or Thunderbolt 3 ports that also support USB-C connections. They both look the same, and the connector plugs into the port in either orientation.
Learn more about identifying the ports on your Mac, as well as the adapters and cables you can use to connect older devices to type USB-C ports.
USB specifications
USB specifications are important primarily when you want the most speed and power for your USB device, or your device needs more power or is using too much power. Every USB port supports a particular USB specification, which determines the port's maximum>USB specifications on MacData transferPowerUSB 3.1 Gen 2
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 2
Up to 10 GbpsUp to 15W at 5VUSB 3.1 Gen 1
Also known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3
Up to 5 GbpsUp to 900 mA at 5VUSB 2.0
Up to 480 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5VUSB 1.1
Up to 12 MbpsUp to 500 mA at 5V
To learn which specification is supported by a type USB-A or type USB-C port on your Mac model:
- Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, click Support, then click Specifications.
- Check the System Information app for more details, including about USB devices connected to USB ports on your Mac. Select USB in the sidebar, then select a USB bus on the right.
Get the best performance from your USB devices
USB specifications all work with each other, but speed and power are limited by the cable or device that uses the earliest specification. For example, if you connect a USB 3 device to USB 2 port, your device is limited to USB 2 speeds, and it can't draw more power from the port than can be delivered over USB 2. In other words, to get the best performance, make sure that the USB port on your Mac and the USB cable to your device meet or exceed the USB specification of the device itself.
If your Mac doesn't recognize a USB device after you plug it into your Mac:
- Check all connections: Unplug the device from your Mac, then plug it back in, and make sure that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends. Test with another cable or adapter, if available.
- Plug the device directly into your Mac instead of a USB hub or other device, and if necessary test with a different USB port on your Mac or device.
- Some devices need their own software, such as drivers or firmware. Others work without additional software. Check with the maker of your device, and install all available Apple software updates as well.
- If your device came with an AC power adapter, use it. Some devices can be powered by the USB port on your Mac. Others need more power than your Mac can provide.
- Restart your Mac.
Learn more
- USB 3 devices can create wireless interference that affects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Learn how to resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.
- Mac notebook computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 can charge over that port using a compatible USB-C power adapter and cable.
What is USB server?
USB server is a software solution that lets you access various USB devices (mostly printers and scanners) plugged into this server among computers on the network without the need of plugging them in and out all the time when they are needed on any of those PCs.
Table of contents:
- Guide:
USB server usage
Usually the server device is connected to the network via standard port and is equipped with one or more USB ports. As a result, printers or scanners connected to such device become available for remote computers over the local network. USB servers usually have their own web interface for setup and management. They also may include special software for adjustment of configuration.
14-day free trial
How to create USB server
Need to share USB devices over network, but don't want to plug them into your own computer? USB Network Gate is a professional, yet so easy-to-use solution for breaking a distance limit between USB device and its host! With USB Network Gate you can plug USB devices to any computer thus making this computer a USB server and use the connected devices from any remote PC on a local network even via RDP, Wi-Fi or Internet.
You can connect several USB devices to a local PC (e.g. USB hard drive, USB flash drive, USB dongle, USB printers/MFDs, USB home monitoring & control systems) and work with these devices from your laptop via Wi-Fi. No wires or additional hardware required!
Did you know?
You can turn any of the PCs on the network into USB server with the help of USB Network Gate with no additional hardware needed.Steps:
For Windows OS:
Install USB Network Gate on the computer that you are going to use as a USB network server. Plug USB devices that you are going to use on other computers into it.
Share the USB devices with the help of USB Network Gate (that's super easy to do).
Install USB Network Gate on all computers that will connect to the devices shared at USB network server. On Windows machines USB Network Gate for Windows has to be installed, and USB Network Gate for Linux/Mac has to be installed on Linux/Mac machines.
On client computers add remote USB device that you shared on USB server and then establish a connection with it in USB Network Gate.
14-day free trial
Creating a USB server on a Mac requires you to run USB Network Gate on the computer. Follow these steps to implement a USB server on a macOS machine after launching the app.
Click the Local pane in the upper part of the program’s window.
A list of the USB devices currently connected to the computer is displayed in the Local Pane. Locate the device you want to share and select it.
Click the Share button.
Make any configuration changes necessary for the selected USB device in the displayed dialog box.
After you have finished configuring parameters in the USB server software for mac, click Share.
Your device is now available to be used by client computers from the network USB server.
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Below you can find step-by-step instructions on how to use the USB server on Linux OS.To create a Linux USB server, you have to launch USB Network Gate.
Switch to the Share local USB devices tab.
Usb For Mac And Windows
Choose the USB device you want to share. Then press 'Share'
External Usb For Mac
You can change the TCP port to be used in the connection, or enable encryption, authorization or traffic compression.