I need a USB switch

[LimaDelta]

Not a KVM, which is what comes up every time I try to search. I need a device to physically switch between two USB peripherals connected to the same PC, which I don't want connected at the same time.

Like the old parallel port data switches, but for USB.



Is there such a thing?

[Ransoman]

No, because the USB standard is a data bus so data from multiple devices can co-exist.

There might be a way to do it in software though but that is outside my realms of knowledge.

[Mr Pointy]

This one has switches to turn off the power to each port:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual...

[Harpoon]

Lindy sell them (assuming I've understood the question properly!)

https://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-c4/usb-switches-sharer...

{Edit}

Which I think I have - the above is to share a device between two PCs, not two devices and one PC. I think!

[LimaDelta]

Harpoon said:

Lindy sell them (assuming I've understood the question properly!)

https://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-c4/usb-switches-sharer...

{Edit}

Which I think I have - the above is to share a device between two PCs, not two devices and one PC. I think!

Nope, wrong way round. There are plenty of these printer-sharing type devices, but none going the other way AFAIK.

[LimaDelta]

Ransoman said:

No, because the USB standard is a data bus so data from multiple devices can co-exist.

There might be a way to do it in software though but that is outside my realms of knowledge.

Interesting. So I guess I'm stuck with just un-plugging and re-plugging as required.

[wizzard67]

One of these maybe? - Link

[QuartzDad]

Mr Pointy said:

This one has switches to turn off the power to each port:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-4-Port-Individual...

I have one of these, works well.

[LimaDelta]

wizzard67 said:

One of these maybe? - Link

Brilliant. Thanks.

[paulrockliffe]

You could just modify the cable with a changeover switch, should just need a double-pol changeover switch on the red and black wires.

[Ransoman]

LimaDelta said:

Ransoman said:

No, because the USB standard is a data bus so data from multiple devices can co-exist.

There might be a way to do it in software though but that is outside my realms of knowledge.

Interesting. So I guess I'm stuck with just un-plugging and re-plugging as required.

I might have misinterpreted your question as I thought you wanted a fixed 2 way toggle to choose between 2 devices so that when one is enabled, the other is automatically disabled. The suggested devices wouldn't give you such specific control, they just allow you to shut down a port physically.

[tribbles]

paulrockliffe said:

You could just modify the cable with a changeover switch, should just need a double-pol changeover switch on the red and black wires.

Conceptually possible, but USB is sensitive to cable length variations, and wire separation.

A home-made system may work at lower speeds, but unless you are skilled in the art of signal impedance, shielding and trace length matching, I'd be buying a commercial system.

[Paft Dunk]

Does it have to be physically?

Option to disable/enable In Software work for you ?


https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.htm...

[LimaDelta]

Paft Dunk said:

Does it have to be physically?

Option to disable/enable In Software work for you ?


https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.htm...

Physical is just simpler IMHO.