Access USB scanner over Ethernet [Full tutorial]

Contents

1. Why you may need to share a USB device
2. Sharing your scanner by a specialized app
3. Solution by Windows OS

Why you may need to share a USB device

Nowadays, the most common way to physically connect a peripheral to your PC is through a USB port. Even though a variety of other communication interfaces are in use so far, to have it straight, your mouse, printer, scanner, or any other device is most likely connected to your home computer via a USB port.

Typical scenario: Everyone at some point may need to access one USB device from two PCs. Clearly, having to physically reattach your device from one machine to another is rather troublesome even if those PCs are located in the same prеmіsеs, the more so when they’re wide apart. For instance, your associates may need to access a USB scanner plugged into your machine from their laptops. So is there any way to share a USB scanner over Ethernet? Actually, there’s even more than one!

A video guide on how to share scanners over the network with the help of USB Network Gate:

Solution by Windows OS

There’s another way to share a scanner over Ethernet for Windows users - by the use of a specialized system feature.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Make sure that your scanner is connected to a network machine or a modem/router, and all the necessary installation was accomplished.
Launch the Control Panel from the Start menu. Go to ‘Network and Sharing Center’ and click ‘View network computers and devices‘. Once you’ve located your device’s icon, right-click on it and pick ‘Install’. From then on, the device becomes available from other machines in your network.

Given all the strengths and weaknesses of either of the two methods, it is clear that USB Network Gate, being a multiplatform application, is the most effective tool for sharing a USB scanner over Ethernet. It allows you to share a USB peripheral with several remote PCs with maximum safety and security.