USB

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* [[USB storage|Network-attached storage]] including flash memories, hard discs, floppy discs and CD/DVD-ROM devices. These can be shared across a LAN using [[Samba]]; an external hard drive also provides plentiful swap space for use as virtual memory. * [[USB storage|Network-attached storage]] including flash memories, hard discs, floppy discs and CD/DVD-ROM devices. These can be shared across a LAN using [[Samba]]; an external hard drive also provides plentiful swap space for use as virtual memory.
-* [[Printer Sharing]]; as either a pass-through driver ([[p910nd]] - for printers not supported directly without manufacturers' drivers by embedded Linux) or [[CUPS]] (for supported printers only)+* [[Printer Sharing]]; as either a pass-through driver ([[p910nd]] - for printers not supported directly by embedded Linux or those needing proprietary manufacturers' drivers) or [[CUPS]] (for fully Linux-supported printers only)
* Local network sharing of supported scanner models using [[SANE]] drivers; these may be accessed from Linux desktop PC's or (through third-party utilities like [http://sanetwain.ozuzo.net SaneTwain]) even from Windows PC's. * Local network sharing of supported scanner models using [[SANE]] drivers; these may be accessed from Linux desktop PC's or (through third-party utilities like [http://sanetwain.ozuzo.net SaneTwain]) even from Windows PC's.

Revision as of 06:55, 28 October 2007

See also: USB storage

Of the Supported Devices, just a few support USB. These include the ASUS WL-500g Premium and various devices in this same series, the Asus WL-500W and the Linksys WRTSL54GS.

The cost of these devices starts slightly over-$100 (as of 2007), depending on capability, but the ability to add external hardware easily makes these far more powerful units. The various USB options include:

  • Network-attached storage including flash memories, hard discs, floppy discs and CD/DVD-ROM devices. These can be shared across a LAN using Samba; an external hard drive also provides plentiful swap space for use as virtual memory.
  • Printer Sharing; as either a pass-through driver (p910nd - for printers not supported directly by embedded Linux or those needing proprietary manufacturers' drivers) or CUPS (for fully Linux-supported printers only)
  • Local network sharing of supported scanner models using SANE drivers; these may be accessed from Linux desktop PC's or (through third-party utilities like SaneTwain) even from Windows PC's.

The availability of external storage and peripherals makes a greater number of packages, such as many of the Optware applications, usable from these otherwise-tiny devices.

Laptop "USB docking stations" typically provide some combination of a USB hub, an extra network interface, audio, serial/parallel ports, keyboard and mouse. Their compatibility varies depending on model; it may be necessary to determine which drivers are installed by the bundled Windows software and check availability of existing embedded Linux drivers before considering these for use. Some work, some don't. Unfortunately, USB to SVGA interfaces in these packages are currently very proprietary and in no way Linux compatible - the one key stumbling block preventing a USB-aware network-storage device such as Linksys' NSLU2 or a USB-aware router from being expanded to be a small but complete self-contained embedded Linux computer system.