Sharkoon Readies LanPort ''USB Servers''

Monday, November 30th 2009

Sharkoon is out with a unique pair of devices it refers to as LanPort "USB servers". The function of these devices is to let USB ports being shared by computers across a network. The main unit connects to a wired network over a common RJ-45 port (probably 10/100 Mbps), and takes in a 5V DC power input (to power the ports) and gives out USB ports. The LanPort 100 comes with just one USB port, while LanPort 400 comes with four. Any USB device, such as mass-storage (flash drives, external HDDs, PMPs), printers, scanners, etc., can be shared.

The device comes with its own web-interface that lets users configure it, while the bundled software helps handle the configuration, and sets up a layer between the PC and the remotely connected USB devices. The software supports Windows 7, XP, and Vista. Sharkoon's LanPort 100 and LanPort 400 will become available soon and with price-tags of 23 Euro and 37 Euro, respectively.

posted by btarunr - 6:15 PM | Related News |

User comments

by Steevo (7:47 PM) - Reply

Does it support RAID for four thumbdrives? If not then I see no purpose to this.

by DanishDevil (8:06 PM) - Reply

Any availability in the US?

by btarunr (8:19 PM) - Reply

by: Steevo
Does it support RAID for four thumbdrives? If not then I see no purpose to this.

RAID on removable storage is pointless as it is. Actually so is this device. You can plug in USB drives to your PC and keep them as network shares, and share your printer/scanner. The only use I see of this device is that it's better than a dedicated print-server that draws a lot more power, or a machine that has to be kept on throughout office hours, also USB devices that you can't normally 'share' without physically moving it around.

by Completely Bonkers (9:23 PM) - Reply

This is an excellent device. An always on, plugged into the LAN, 24/7, accessible from any machine. Perfect for SOHO. It's a great way to network consumer devices too. Network scanners cost a fortune. USB scanners are dirt cheap. I like it. Esp. the picture of the daisy chain to the sharkoon external HDD. You've basically got a NAS right there (albeit without additional services, and zero-security). Oh look, it's got a SD card reader on it too. SDcard over LAN. I'm sure we can invent uses for it! LOL:pimp:

by LittleLizard (9:28 PM) - Reply

i find it quite useful. EX: office have to use only one or two of those for having a file in a thumbdrive shared across all the net instead of passing it trough each machine (altough with shared files and dropbox is useless)

by Conflict0s (9:30 PM) - Reply

Well for me, this is ideal. I have a spare 200Gb HDD lying around that I don't want/can't fit in my system, also I don't like to keep my computer on 24/7 and no doubt this will be lower power consumption than if I did leave it on. I shall be getting this, especially at that price :) Thanks for the information.

by Steevo (9:42 PM) - Reply

If it supported RAID at those prices it would work good as a quick file storage for upgrading customers PC's. Move files out onto it, then onto the new PC faster than just moving it by single drive, or by CD/DVD. Plus cheap storage that you can make contingious, four 32GB drives are enough capacity for 99.9% of the upgrades I do at the home of the customer. But not enough by themselves.

by EviLZeD (10:42 PM) - Reply

I think theres a typo in the title sharkoon?

by Mussels (11:35 PM) - Reply

everyones focused on storage, but in its own way this works for other devices too. its a file server, a print server, remote scanner (which you cant do via windows) a remote webcam (ok, thats useless :P)

by Wile E (11:51 PM) - Reply

by: Mussels
everyones focused on storage, but in its own way this works for other devices too. its a file server, a print server, remote scanner (which you cant do via windows) a remote webcam (ok, thats useless :P)

Not for monitoring/surveillance. If it was Gb, it would be better, imo.

by indybird (2:33 AM) - Reply

I smell a new purchase for my upcoming LAN party. Can you say patch/game file server? -Indybird

by btarunr (8:16 AM) - Reply

by: Steevo
If it supported RAID at those prices it would work good as a quick file storage for upgrading customers PC's. Move files out onto it, then onto the new PC faster than just moving it by single drive, or by CD/DVD. Plus cheap storage that you can make contingious, four 32GB drives are enough capacity for 99.9% of the upgrades I do at the home of the customer. But not enough by themselves.

Even if it did, does the customer's PC support RAID of USB storage devices? Or for that matter, does your PC support such a thing?

by InnocentCriminal (8:49 AM) - Reply

Check the title Btarunr. :)

by Mussels (8:57 AM) - Reply

by: InnocentCriminal
Check the title Btarunr. :)

his typo has already been pointed out by EviLZeD

by InnocentCriminal (8:58 AM) - Reply

That wasn't there when I came to post, my sincerest apologises.

by Mussels (8:59 AM) - Reply

by: InnocentCriminal
That wasn't there when I came to post, my sincerest apologises.

yep, it was :P you missed it *hands you award for thread skimming* (but he still hasnt fixed it)

by InnocentCriminal (9:00 AM) - Reply

I didn't skim the thread, as I stated it wasn't there. Still, not going to argue with you over something so frivolous as a typo. I was only trying to be helpful.

by Mussels (9:01 AM) - Reply

by: InnocentCriminal
I didn't skim the thread, as I stated it wasn't there. Still, not going to argue with you over something so frivolous as a typo. I was only trying to helpful.

and i am merely picking on you. it happens :( back on topic! USB doodad intriguing!

by Naelex (10:05 AM) - Reply

i definately want one of these, can keep my chunky eternal 1tb hdd out of sight and use as nas :)

by Gzero (5:05 PM) - Reply

It sounds nice in theory, but if it's not gigabit ethernet, then surely having flash drive plugged into your pc is better even with a normal hub. What I want to know is: does it support older printers such as my EPSON SP830, which doesn't seem to have x64 drivers so I can't print from my x64 pc's as the pc nearest to it is using x86.

by Mussels (1:54 AM) - Reply

by: Gzero
It sounds nice in theory, but if it's not gigabit ethernet, then surely having flash drive plugged into your pc is better even with a normal hub. What I want to know is: does it support older printers such as my EPSON SP830, which doesn't seem to have x64 drivers so I can't print from my x64 pc's as the pc nearest to it is using x86.

doubt it. it would require drivers for the OS you're using.

by Steevo (2:26 AM) - Reply

Server? Or plastic doodad? Choose one, a Server in my mind is a high performance multiple basic I/O device. Like storage, printing, ....serving at rates greater than this will sustain for multiple users. Thus the question of being able to simple hardware RAID 0 four USB sticks for at least 40MBps read/write for this to be worth much more than $9 You could load updates on it and take it to other sites and plug it in and run your updates to multiple PC's with ease, or mebey boot to a drive on it and install your OS, or run a network file server that is fast enough to stream a few movies at a friends. But as is, plastic worthtless thingy.

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