Wireless USB?

Is there such a thing as a wireless USB hub or extender, ideally which would run on a 802.11g wireless setup?

I'm basically referring to using USB devices (e.g. printer) in another room. I have done searches but what I'm looking for keeps getting lost in results which are for USB wireless ports (in lieu of a PC card wireless etc) or a handful of "USB Print Servers ".

While a Print Server which serves USB printers would suffice for the printer, they tend to be a bit pricey and are limited to printers. What I wold like is merely extending my USB port into another room.

Does it exist at a reasonable cost?

 

Not sure if I have heard of such a device.
You have several options

1) a cable ( wired) usb connection
Generally the quoted figure for length that a usb can run is 10 feet.
Depends on what is being powered .
In this case you are not powering a device so much as sending data
you can use 10 foot usn extension cables and a powered ( must be powered) in the middle if you need to


2) I suspect that you want to keep the convenience of the wireless printer and not run cables

I am assuming that the signal goes from the router to your wireless printer

- it was a question of mine after turning on the wep of a HP wireless computer of a friend of mine
- the router hands the printer an ip address so the printer communicates via the router. If you are close to the printer will it communicate directly with the printer ? Would the printer either not get confused or think is was 2 separate timed jobs if this happened ?
If the signal to print is coming through the router you would want to boost the signal of the router

1) Is is possible to move the router closer to the printer ?
- with dsl connections you can plug into any phone jack
however you may not want to disrupt the connection of computer number 1

2) can you improve the signal the router sends

- either by moving a few feet
- placing a reflective antenna behind it to concentrate signal to the printer. Antennas do not boost the signal they they focus it
there are templates on the web.

http://www.freeantennas.com/

There are some external antenna that some router manufactures sell
That is if the antenas can be unscrewed

Linksys has them
SMC
D-link or trendnet
however they are a bit pricey

If you are willing to or have an older ( pre version 5 ) Linksys wrt54g wireless router you can apply a 3rd party firmware ( sveasoft is the best known) and dramatically boost the power
not a direct correlation power to speed but it will help a lot
also you can try changing the channel
also set the signal to b only. ( if you have b cards) signal will go further
if not try setting signal to g only

Lastly what about the signal at the computer end

- placement of computer
even moving a foot can make a big difference
- better adapter . Is there an updated driver ?
can you lock the signal on that ssid only rather than having the wireless utlity hunt around
maybe try an ad hoc network setup
I do not know if the signal will go directly to the printer in this case or through the router
I would think that it would serve to lock the signal on that one channel and ssid and go through the router
You might want to try to change the ssid , if it is set to something common at factory - default of linksys

lastly maybe the reception of the wireless card can be improved

- built in laptop lid antennas are quite good
- pci adapters in desktops are hidden on the floor behind the metal of the computer. A usb adapter can be placed on a usb extension and held away from the computer .

or http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

generic usb dongle (zyadas chipset ) do not use the Linksys or d-link usb adapters. Not worth the effort

12 inch metal bowl, antenna end 7 inches off of base of bowl

just some ideas to play around with

 

TonyT,

No - no other computers in that room at the time being. Otherwise I'd think of doing that.

I have a "front office" in my house but also a "back office ". I don't have enough desk space in the front room to put both printers I have. In fact I wouldn't mind not having any here (I can easily go into the other room to get the printout). Print servers are available but a tad expensive (the one reason I bought the second printer was because it was a cheap used laser which has its uses... but is large).

Vision, I appreciate all that info but little of it applies to my situation.