USB host-2-host console

[Kent Borg]

On Thu, Nov 29, 2001 at 03:13:01PM -0500, Christoph Doerbeck A242369 wrote:
> 
> my limited knowledge of what USB can do...
> 
> is it possible (feasible) to connect 2 PCs together via USB cable
> and fire up a getty and allow logins across the USB link?
> 
> Basically do on USB what I'd do with null-modem and serial cables..

I don't think so.  I am pretty sure that there is a big difference
between host and target ends of a USB connection, more than a mere
cable can adjust for.

Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org> wrote in response:
> The Linux iPAQ uses this method to some extent. It make take some
> configuration. This is not exactly what you want, but close enough
> to help your setup.
>
> http://www.handhelds.org/z/wiki/How%20do%20I%20setup%20USB%20networking

But I think that only applies if the two ends of the connection are of
opposite genders, note from the quoted page:

  This document applies not only to the iPAQ handheld, but also to any
  SA11x0 based device, provided that it has a USB client port.

A pair of randomly chosen PCs are only likely to have the host-gender
ports, likely neither will have a client port.  Depending upon what
you are doing, if you have an open PCI slots, you might want an
ethernet card or two--they are fast and cheap these days.


-kb