USB-to-Ethernet Device Server Supports A/V Data Transfer

By DE Editors

September 10, 2007 — Lantronix, Inc.’s (Irvine, CA) new UBox 2100, is said to be the first USB-to-Ethernet device server to support the USB isochronous data transfer standard, typically used for audio and video (A/V) applications.

With UBox 2100, users can put any off-the-shelf USB 2.0 peripheral device on an Ethernet network. Removing the distance limitations normally associated with USB, users can access and share web cams, speakers, microphones, sensors, security access equipment, multifunction printers, hard drives, and scanners over the Internet.

UBox eliminates the need to directly connect devices to a PC, thus IP-enabling the USB devices. UBox includes software designed to identify, access, configure, upgrade, and secure each UBox unit on the network as needed. UBox 2100 includes an Auto-Connect feature that automatically connects and disconnects shared USB printers based on need. Flexible network configuration options make it easy to use the UBox in local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs).

UBox 2100 will be available globally for $154 US MSRP. The current four-port version, UBox 4100 (USB 2.0, full speed), has also been updated to support isochronous audio and is currently available through the Lantronix channel and other sales partners. Users can upgrade existing UBox 4100s with a firmware upgrade.

For more information, please visit Lantronix.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.