The Ranger, Rover, and WiRanger product lines from Icron Technologies offer packaged, USB extension capabilities to organizations; they allow for the use of USB devices at significant distances from the host computer. The Icron product line is based on the vendor's ExtremeUSB technology, which allows for the use of USB devices with a PC host at distances greater than 5 meters (the vendor lists a possible range of up to 10 km when used with fibre cables).

The Icron extension packages are offered in pairs; a "LEX" (Local Extender) module is connected to the PC itself, while the "REX" module (Remote Extender) connects to the LEX, and itself accommodates the direct connections from the USB devices. How the pairs connect and communicate with one another depends on the product model; available possibilities including CAT5 cabling, Fibre, Wireless, and a planned powerline-based version. Connections between the two devices must further be made point-to-point, without intervening switches or hubs; and the units cannot be daisy chained (though the remote hubs themselves can accommodate the connection of more hubs for additional ports).

As mentioned multiple products are available in the line supporting both USB 1.1 (low/full speed) and USB 2.0 (high speed) flavors, with most models supporting both FS and LS USB devices and some additionally supporting HS devices. (The Rover 1300 connects via CAT5 cables and supports only a single FS device--no LS or HS support.) The products range from the Ranger 140/440 (CAT5 cabling up to 50 meters with 1 or 4 device ports), through the Ranger 442/444 (Fibre cabling, 4 ports, and distances of 500 meters or 10 kilometers, respectively), to the 802.11-based WiRanger. In the case of the WiRanger no wired connection is necessary between the LEX and REX units; rather, communications are facilitated from one to the other based on 802.11g transmissions. The vendor states that the two units can communicate with one another at a range of up to 30 meters.

The local hub (LEX) connects to the host computer via a Type B USB connector; while individual devices connect to the remote unit (REX) via Type A USB connections. The remote hub includes 1, 2, or 4 ports; with the WiRanger platform supporting the connection of 14 USB devices in total (including the hubs).

New to the product line is the Ranger 2101/2104 (1 or 4 ports) extenders, CAT5-based models that can extend USB connectivity up to 100 meters. Pricing for the new models is $349 and $389, respectively.

Visit the vendor's Web site for further information.