Stick with USB Redirector 1.9.7 if:
Upgrade to a newer version (2.x or 3.x) if:
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---------|--------------|----------|
| “Device cannot start (Code 10)” on client | Virtual USB driver conflict | Reinstall client driver; disable any other USB over IP software. |
| Connection drops after 5 minutes | Firewall or router timeout | Set a keep-alive interval: usbr_server.exe /keepalive 30 |
| USB device not showing on server | Windows driver not loaded | Unplug/replug device; run server as admin. |
| High CPU on server | Logging enabled at Debug level | Change log level to Error only via config file. |
| Cannot connect from client | Wrong port or firewall | Ensure TCP 32032 open; test with telnet server_ip 32032 | Usb Redirector 1.9.7
Whether you are using version 1.9.7 on Windows or Linux, the core functionality revolves around solving distance limitations inherent to USB cabling.
1. USB over IP Technology The software works by intercepting USB traffic at the device driver level. It encapsulates the USB request blocks (URBs) into TCP/IP packets and sends them over the network to a remote machine, which decodes them and presents the device to the local operating system. Stick with USB Redirector 1
2. Cross-Platform Compatibility One of the strongest selling points of USB Redirector is its cross-platform support. Version 1.9.7 is widely known in the Linux community. It allows a Linux machine to act as a USB server (sharing devices) and Windows machines to act as clients (connecting to those devices), or vice versa.
3. Isolation and Exclusivity When a USB device is redirected, it is isolated on the server side. The server operating system stops accessing the device to prevent conflicts. This ensures the remote client has exclusive control, preventing data corruption or driver crashes. Upgrade to a newer version (2
4. VPN and WAN Support While designed for LANs, the software supports connections over VPNs. This allows users to redirect a USB security dongle or a smart card reader from their home office to a corporate server miles away, provided the network latency is manageable.
| Version | Released | Key Changes | |---------|----------|--------------| | 1.9.7 | ~2014 | Stable, Windows 8.1/10 support, USB 2.0 only | | 2.x | 2016+ | Added optional AES-256 encryption, IPv6 | | 3.x | 2019+ | USB 3.0 support, Linux client, UI overhaul |
Why use 1.9.7 today?