rhkra...@gmail.com wrote: > In a way, the subject covers most of it: " Using a USB hub with 3 computers, > 1 > printer, 1 external drive (for backup for any of the three PCs)". > > I don't know much about USB hubs, I guess all of the ports are two way. > > To clarify, if needed, I'd like to buy a 5 (or more) port USB (3.0) hub to > connect 3 PCs, 1 printer, and 1 external drive such that I can print or > backup > from any of the 3 pcs.
Others have told you why this won't work. Let's explore other ways that you can achieve the same goals. I'm going to assume that all 3 PCs are connected to a local network, and you can get Goals: 1. Print from any PC to the printer 2. Backup from any PC to the backup disk Is that correct? If so: 1. Printing: - if the printer has an ethernet port, plug it in to your network. If it has wifi, turn that on. Done. - if the printer does not have an ethernet port, plug it in to a computer that will always be on when you need to print, and share it on the network with CUPS. (Debian provides a CUPS server.) - if CUPS doesn't make you happy, install Samba and share with that. 2. Backup - Debian machines can backup over the network to a machine where the USB disk is plugged in. 'backupninja' can help configure that. - Windows machines can backup over the network to a Debian machine where the USB disk is plugged in. Samba is the key here. - Mac OS X machines can backup over the network to a Debian machine where the USB disk is plugged in. netatalk is the key here -- it can be used for native Time Machine backups. Happy to help. -dsr-
