Virtual USB bus using TCP

Question

I have a router that a printer can be attached to to print wirelessly to. It appears that the software for Windows uses a virtual USB bus using TCP. This allows the printer to appear as if it was plugged directly into the computer.

Is it possible to create a virtual USB bus using TCP on Ubuntu or is this a custom protocol used by the router and Windows software?

Answer 1

This is potentially a custom/proprietary protocol used by your router and the software designed by the manufacturer.

However, USB over IP is a thing and it can be used on Ubuntu. Assuming your router is using the standard USB over IP and not a custom protocol, this page (paraphrased below for anyone who finds this through google) should help you set it up.

1. Install usbip

   sudo apt-get install usbip

2. Load the vhci-hcd kernel module

   modprobe vhci-hcd

3. Check if it really got loaded

   lsmod | grep vhci_hcd

   (Your out should be similar to below)

   root@client1:~# lsmod | grep vhci_hcd
   vhci_hcd               19800  0
   usbip_common_mod       13605  1 vhci_hcd
   root@client1:~#
   

4. (optional) Add module to load on boot

   sudo echo vhci-hcd >> /etc/modules

5. Connect to the server (your router) and get a list of devices.

   usbip -l serverip

   Replace serverip with the IP address of your router.

   Example output:

   root@client1:~# usbip -l 192.168.0.100
   - 192.168.0.100
        1-1: SanDisk Corp. : Cruzer Micro Flash Drive (0781:5151)
           : /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:07.2/usb1/1-1
           : (Defined at Interface level) (00/00/00)
           :  0 - Mass Storage / SCSI / Bulk (Zip) (08/06/50)
   

   Note the designation of the USB device you want to use (1-1 in this example).

6. Attach the remote device to the local computer.

   usbip -a serverip designation
   

   e.g.

   usbip -a 192.168.12.34 1-1
   

   The remote device should now be attached locally to your computer. You should see it listed if you execute lsusb from the terminal.