USB 2.0 over 5 meters

Duesix · 22 Sep 2010 at 15:58

I am wondering wheter anyone can provide me with some advice on running USB 2.0 over the 5 meter limit. I have a piece of equipment at work which needs to print out to a tiny brother label printer which is sat between 10 and 15 meters away. I need run this line in a discreet way and i am wondering whether active cables would do the trick?

Can anyone offer me any advice and guidance please?

Many thanks

Duesix

Aod · 22 Sep 2010 at 16:04

the 5-meter USB limit is because the USB spec enforces limits on packet RTT, of which the cable-TT is very short due to allowances for processing delays.

my recommendation? small computer connected via Ethernet which is then plugged into the label-printer wherever it needs to be, and then setup network printing, allowing you to print from any computer on the network.

wesley · 22 Sep 2010 at 16:04

Any usb hub will act a repeater

Lanz · 22 Sep 2010 at 16:15

Get a couple of 5M active usb extension cables, that should do the trick.

Azuse05 · 22 Sep 2010 at 17:55

If the printer has an ethernet port that would be easier tbh. If not, and you don't want a pair of usb hubs sitting around you could always use a pair of usb/cat5 adapters and run a length of trusty old cat5e. Would cost slightly more but be neater; more options are always good

franco_22 · 22 Sep 2010 at 18:37

Get an active USB extension.

Sareth · 22 Sep 2010 at 18:54

Aod said:
the 5-meter USB limit is because the USB spec enforces limits on packet RTT, of which the cable-TT is very short due to allowances for processing delays.

my recommendation? small computer connected via Ethernet which is then plugged into the label-printer wherever it needs to be, and then setup network printing, allowing you to print from any computer on the network.

Or a usb print server.

Duesix · 22 Sep 2010 at 20:27

Thanks for all of your replies i have taken all suggestions on board and will let you know the results