Powered USB Hubs - Raspberry Pi - Some hardware not working?

Submitted by Stitch-Up on #1

Good morning all,

Firstly I wish to say this software is a brilliant solution for sharing my USB software security dongles over my LAN - love it :)

As my Raspberry Pi VH server only has 4 USB ports and I'm using one to connect a bluetooth keyboard, I've attached a powererd USB hub to give me additional USB connectivity. This works fine for most USB devices/hardware but, there are some devices that work fine when connected to directly to the Pi but don't work when connected to the HUB. An example is my Epson 2880 inkjet printer - connected directly to the Pi and I can access it via VH across my LAN from other VH clients. However, if I connect the same printer to the hub, the LED on the hub's port will illuminate for a second and then go out and the printer can't be 'seen' by VH.

Perhaps this isn't a problem with VH ? Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks for a brilliant solution :)

John

Submitted by Michael on Sat, 2018/06/09 - 13:06

#2

Hi John. Im glad you find virtualhere useful. It sounds like its definitely a power issue. I suspect that probably the printer is asking the usb port for more than 500ma. The port will only provide up to 500mA, and so it cuts out after a few seconds. I think you need a better powered hub that can provide a higher power per port e.g 2.4a or at least 1000ma. I think from memory that the ports on the pi can put out 600ma (or 1.2a if you change the kernel config). So you might only need something slightly more than 500ma.

Submitted by Stitch-Up on Fri, 2018/06/15 - 00:13

#3

Thanks for the reply Michael,

Yes, Virtualhere has been great for us :) Before we were having to carry very expensive USB HASP security dongles from our shop to our home in order to use particular software. There was a great risk that we could damage them with all the unplugging and plugging in and a greater risk that we'd lose them and have to pay upwards to £1000 for replacements!!! Now, we have them plugged into a USB hub attached to a Raspberry Pi Virtualhere server - brilliant solution :)

I thought the problem with the printer might be power related and was aware it was unlikely to be anything to do with VH.

Cheers

John