Connect USB Devices Wirelessly — Definitive How-to Guide

A Guide to Connecting USB Devices Wirelessly

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FlexiHub

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Olga Weis Last updated Sep 3, 2024

This article will look at sharing USB devices over Wi-Fi via software and hardware solutions. We’ll show you how wireless USB hubs work and offer different ways to implement them. These solutions will help you achieve remote access to USB peripherals, facilitate collaboration with colleagues, and reduce cable clutter in your workspace.

USB Over Wi-Fi Hardware Solutions

We will first look at hardware solutions that provide USB over Wi-Fi functionality. They establish a wireless USB connection, eliminating the need for direct cabling. The different hardware types available offer varying capabilities that may address your wireless USB connectivity requirements.

Wireless USB Hubs

What is a wireless USB hub? A wireless USB hub, also called a USB device server, connects USB peripherals to a network using Wi-Fi technology. Wireless USB hubs are not constructed using a single device. Several techniques can be used to create a wireless USB hub to enable remote access and management of your peripherals over a Wi-Fi network.

Wireless USB hubs are typically used to:

• Facilitate workplace flexibility;
• Connect multiple USB devices simultaneously;
• Reduce cable clutter.

Wired USB Hubs with a Wireless Adapter

The first method we will look at combines a wired USB hub and a wireless adapter using the following procedure.

Connect the desired USB devices to the wired USB hub’s ports.
The hub provides USB signals received by the wireless adapter.
The adapter converts the signals into data packets that can be transmitted over a Wi-Fi network.
Computers connected to the network can receive the data packets to remotely access the USB devices.

Consider the following points if choosing this option.

• Two separate pieces of hardware are required for the solution: a wired USB hub and a compatible wireless adapter.
• The network and shared devices should be protected by implementing encryption and using strong passwords.
• Software will be required on both computers to manage the connection to the USB devices.

⚠️The drawback to using a Wi-Fi USB hub is that devices connected to the hub must be connected directly via a USB cable. The “wireless” aspect in the name of the hub refers only to its ability to connect to the computer over a Wi-Fi network.

Dedicated Wireless USB Hub

A rare solution is a single device that combines a USB hub with wireless capabilities. This type of device is not widely available and may provide limited functionality in comparison to the hub and wireless USB adapter solution.

DIY wireless USB hub

Another option is to construct a wireless USB extender with a Raspberry Pi device. This technique also allows you to share multiple USB hubs. Connecting a peripheral device to the hub makes it remotely available without additional configuration. The Raspberry Pi acts as a server, hosting the USB devices. Once connected to the Raspberry Pi, the USB devices are remotely available to computers connected to the same network.

This solution requires the installation of USB/IP server software on the Raspberry Pi. The software virtualizes USB ports so they can be accessed over a network. Two popular software options are:

FlexiHub - This user-friendly software provides a simple and intuitive interface. The software features a free trial with paid subscription plans for users who need additional features.

USB Network Gate - A USB over network software utility focused on security and advanced functionality. It is available as a free trial and has multiple licensing options.

How to construct the wireless USB hub:

We recommend a Raspberry Pi 3 or newer model with built-in Wi-Fi.
Connect your USB devices to the USB ports on the Raspberry Pi.
Configure the Raspberry Pi with a static IP address and connect it to your network.
Install the appropriate client software on the machines that will remotely access the USB devices.
The client software detects the shared USB devices and establishes a connection with the same level of functionality as if they were physically attached.

USB to WiFi Bridges

USB to Wi-Fi bridges facilitate providing wireless access to USB devices without built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. As with wireless USB hubs, there is no single device that serves as a bridge between USB and Wi-Fi to share devices. Two different approaches may provide the necessary functionality, though they have some limitations.

Wireless Adapters with Sharing Software

This is an uncommon solution that requires a specialized USB Wi-Fi adapter equipped with dedicated software to enable USB device sharing over the network. These types of wireless adapters typically only support specific kinds of USB devices and may provide limited features.

Separate Wireless Adapter and Wired USB Hub with Sharing Software

This common approach to constructing a USB to Wi-Fi bridge requires the following components.

A wired USB hub with multiple ports for connecting peripheral devices;
A wireless adapter connected to the USB hub to convert USB signals to data packets that can be transmitted over Wi-Fi;
Software on the host computer attached to the hub and client machines that will remotely access USB devices to facilitate communication and data transfer.

Several issues may affect the viability of USB to WiFi bridges.

• Limited availability of USB to WiFi bridges with built-in sharing capabilities;
• Using a separate adapter involves additional components and configuration;
• Degraded performance and increased latency may be an issue due to the lower bandwidths of wireless connections;
• Security misconfigurations can be a problem when implementing access controls and encryption;
• Dependence on dedicated software may result in compatibility problems and require regular updates to maintain the system.

WiFi Routers with USB Ports

Modern Wi-Fi routers may be equipped with USB ports. You can directly connect USB devices to the router without the need for any additional hardware. Connected devices can be shared across the network. Some routers provide features such as 4G backup or can act as a media server.

The router creates a network share for connected USB devices, making them accessible to any compatible device on the network. Wi-Fi routers with USB ports are a convenient way of sharing peripherals or storage devices with no extra hardware requirements.

Other alternative solutions to consider include the following:
Setting up a home media server can be an efficient solution when sharing media files such as music or videos.
Network Attached Storage (NAS) offers shared storage for multiple USB devices connected to your network.

Best USB Over Wi-Fi Software Solutions

Connecting USB devices wirelessly can be accomplished with a computer running USB over WiFi software. Let's look at two solutions that enable USB over Wi-Fi without the need for additional hardware.

FlexiHub

FlexiHub is a comprehensive USB over Wi-Fi software solution that enables you to share USB devices remotely over a network. The software is compatible with a wide variety of USB devices such as scanners, hard drives, printers, and security dongles.

FlexiHub reduces the number of cables attached to your computer and essentially turns your machine into a wireless USB hub.

FlexiHub’s Features

Cross-platform	You can run FlexiHub on any OS of your choice, it can be either Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, or Android.
Data protection	All connections are secured with 2048-bit SSL encryption. This ensures communication security and prevents data corruption or loss.
Redirection server	This means your computers don't need a public IP address to share and access USB devices remotely.
Access control	You can restrict access to devices connected to your local machine so that only authorized users can use them.
Data compression	FlexiHub compresses data sent to the remote side, which significantly reduces traffic consumption and increases data transfer speed.

How to Share a USB Device over a Wi-Fi Network via FlexiHub

1.

Go to the official website and register a free FlexiHub account.
2.

To be able to extend USB over Wi-Fi, activate a demo mode within a user cabinet.
3.

Download and install FlexiHub on all computers participating in the connection to use them as Wi-Fi USB hubs.
4.

Launch the app and log in with your credentials on the local and remote computers. On the latter one, find the device you need, and click the ‘Connect’ button next to it.

The connected devices are now visible to network-attached users logged into the same FlexiHub account. The devices can be used with full functionality using a Wi-Fi connection.

USB Network Gate

USB Network Gate is another reliable software solution that enables USB devices to be shared over Wi-Fi networks. This USB over Wi-Fi software can also be used to share devices across a local area network or with another computer using the remote desktop protocol.

Applications and Use Cases

USB over Wi-Fi software has impacted the way we use peripheral devices. In many scenarios, a maze of cables can be replaced by a wireless USB software or hardware solution. Enabling remote access to USB devices paves the way for many diverse applications and use cases. Let’s look at some of the ways USB over Wi-Fi can be used effectively.

Business Use:

• Deploy USB peripherals in point-of-sales systems.
• Wirelessly control and monitor industrial processes.
• Remotely manage and resolve problems with USB devices.

Personal Use:

• Share data from USB drives throughout a home network.
• Wirelessly connect USB drives to stream media to smart TV.
• Eliminate cable clutter when connecting gaming controllers.
• Use USB dongles to control smart home devices.

Educational and Medical Applications:

• Seamlessly connect audio and video equipment.
• Provide classrooms with wireless access to educational tools.
• Remotely share medical monitoring and imaging equipment.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated a variety of ways to implement USB over Wi-Fi connectivity. These wireless USB solutions can address a wide range of applications and usage scenarios. Hardware solutions such as wireless USB hubs and routers with integrated USB ports are designed to fit numerous use cases. You can also create your own USB over Wi-Fi solution by leveraging the capabilities of a Raspberry Pi.

While these solutions offer USB over Wi-Fi capabilities, wireless USB software offers a simpler and more versatile alternative. Applications like FlexiHub and USB Network Gate replace hardware components and provide a streamlined method of accessing USB devices over a wireless network. These software solutions are appropriate for home or business use and provide an effective and efficient method of implementing USB to Wi-Fi connectivity.

A Guide to Connecting USB Devices Wirelessly

USB Over Wi-Fi Hardware Solutions

Wireless USB Hubs

Wired USB Hubs with a Wireless Adapter

Dedicated Wireless USB Hub

DIY wireless USB hub

USB to WiFi Bridges

Wireless Adapters with Sharing Software

Separate Wireless Adapter and Wired USB Hub with Sharing Software

WiFi Routers with USB Ports

Best USB Over Wi-Fi Software Solutions

FlexiHub

FlexiHub’s Features

How to Share a USB Device over a Wi-Fi Network via FlexiHub

USB Network Gate

Connect USB Devices Wirelessly with USB Network Gate

Applications and Use Cases

Conclusion