A scanner, a license dongle or a USB-only printer is plugged into a machine on another floor, and you need it on the computer in front of you. Walking over and swapping cables gets old fast. USB Network Gate for Linux shares that device over the network, so your computer treats it as if it were plugged in locally.
Quick facts
- Version: 11.0.4
- Platforms: Linux (DEB and RPM packages, x86 and x64), plus ARM builds for Raspberry Pi and similar boards. The same product also runs on Windows, macOS and Android.
- Price: licenses start at $159.95
- Trial: fully functional 14-day trial on Linux
- Free version: share 1 local USB device, for non-commercial use
- Disk space: about 3.12MB
Key features
Use a USB device plugged into another computer
You install the software on the computer holding the device (the server side) and on the machine where you want to use it (the client side). Both roles are in the same program, so there is only one thing to install. Any mix of Windows, Linux, Mac and Android machines can connect.
Pass USB devices through to virtual machines
Virtual machines are not always good at USB passthrough, especially when the machine is remote. You can redirect devices such as scanners, printers and video hardware to a virtual machine with minimal setup.
Use USB devices inside a Remote Desktop session
Once you are connected to a remote system, you start the software there and redirect a device from the machine you are sitting at. Mice, keyboards, flash drives and security devices are the typical cases.
Restrict who can reach a shared device
You can protect shared devices with a password, and the connection channel is encrypted. TLS 1.3 encryption is available as an option. On shared PCs and terminal servers, per-user and per-session isolation keep a redirected device visible only to you.
Reach devices over the cloud or integrate the technology
The software can redirect USB to a cloud platform, which suits virtual desktops and remote work. An OEM license and an SDK let you build the functionality into your own product. Custom ARM or MIPS builds are available on request.
Who it's for
- IT staff who keep license dongles on one machine and need them elsewhere on the LAN.
- Offices sharing scanners, printers and multifunction devices without tying up the host computer.
- Developers debugging against a phone or microcontroller that sits on someone else's desk.
- Teams running Raspberry Pi or other ARM boards as a USB server.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Server and client are one program, so setup is a single install.
- Works across Linux, Windows, macOS and Android.
- Free version and a 14-day trial let you test it first.
- Small download, about 3MB on Linux.
- Encryption and password protection are available.
Cons
- The free version covers only 1 local USB device and is for non-commercial use.
- Paid licenses start at $159.95, which is a lot for someone who shares a single device.
- Supported distributions are specific: Ubuntu 16.04+, Debian 10+, Linux Mint 20.1+, CentOS Stream 9+ and Fedora 36+.
FAQs
Do I need two different programs for the host and the client?
No. Both the server and client parts are in one instance of the software.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. The Linux build comes with a fully functional 14-day trial, and a free version shares one local USB device for non-commercial use.
Can I use it on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes. There are DEB packages for Raspberry Pi 3/4 and Zero 2 W and other ARMv7 and ARM64 boards.
Can a Linux machine share devices with Windows or Mac computers?
Yes. The solution is cross-platform, so you can connect any combination of operating systems.
Does it work with virtual machines?
Yes. You can redirect devices to a virtual machine, and use USB devices in a remote session.
System requirements
- Kernel: version 2.6.32 or higher
- DEB-based: Ubuntu 16.04+, Debian 10+, Linux Mint 20.1+
- RPM-based: CentOS Stream 9+, Fedora 36+
- Packages: x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit)
- Disk space: 3.12MB