Supported hardware
Some machines do not have an Ethernet port available, but can be programmed via USB or even with a USB to serial converter. With USB over IP you can access these devices remotely. Please note that USB devices with high data volumes, like cameras, are not supported.
Connect to your USB device
- Connect your USB device to the USB port of the StrideLinx router.
- Multiple USB devices can be found remotely, using a USB hub.
- Up to 1 USB device can be accessed remotely.
- If you are using a serial to USB converter, please carefully read the following article first: Using serial converters with StrideLinx.
- Set up a VPN connection to your StrideLinx router.
- Download and start the VirtualHere USB Client.
- The VirtualHere Client should automatically find your remote USB device.
- If no USB devices are found, make sure that the StrideLinx router is running firmware 3.23 or higher.
- Double-click your USB device to start using it.
- The VirtualHere Client will now set up your USB device.
- It may take a moment for the USB device to appear in your software (15-30s).
- Depending on your connection and USB device, it may take longer (several minutes).
Troubleshooting
USB at its core is designed to be a local connection, thus expecting a low latency. With USB over IP, this is then changed to a remote connection, which greatly increases the latency. Not all hardware and software can handle this increased latency well.
If the below troubleshooting help does not resolve your USB connectivity problem, unfortunately your hardware or software is incompatible with USB over IP and your USB device cannot be accessed remotely.Are you unable to find or connect to your device? Select the problem below that applies to you.
I cannot find my USB device in the VirtualHere Client
Make sure that you have followed the instructions in Connect to your USB device. If you still cannot find your USB device in the VirtualHere Client, please try the following:
- Connect a USB hub or USB adapter between the StrideLinx router and the USB device.
- This has resulted in devices being found that previously could not be found.
I cannot connect to my USB device
If you are able to find and mount your USB device in the VirtualHere Client, but are unable to use it in your software, please try the following:
- Are you using a serial converter (e.g. RS232 to USB)? Make sure that your software either provides the option to configure a timeout or has a high timeout configured already.
- If this is not the case, the software is unable to communicate over the internet, because communication over the internet will always have a much slower response time compared to a local (serial) connection. If you are unsure, contact the developer of the software.
- Try waiting a few minutes longer.
- Once a USB device is mounted in the VirtualHere Client, it may take a moment for the USB device to appear in your software (15-30s). Depending on your connection and USB device, it may take longer (several minutes).
- Change the VPN connection type to UDP in both the StrideLinx router and your own VPN Client settings.
- Change the connection type to UDP in the StrideLinx router settings (instructions).
- To effectively make the StrideLinx router use the new setting, make the StrideLinx router reconnect:
- Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
- In the left menu, go to Network > VPN.
- Under VPN access, switch the VPN connection off and back on.
- Change the connection type to UDP in the VPN Client settings (instructions).
- Repeat this step for every user using the VPN connection.
- To effectively make the VPN Client use the new setting, reconnect your VPN connection:
- If you already have a VPN connection active, disconnect it and then reconnect.
- Improve the connection between your computer and the USB device. A few tips:
- Connect the StrideLinx router to a different VPN server.
- The StrideLinx router automatically connects to the closest VPN server. However, this may not always result in the shortest path from your computer to the StrideLinx router. Changing to a different VPN server may improve the connection between your computer and the StrideLinx router. More information: Tips to improve a slow VPN connection.
- Use a wired connection.
- If you're using a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, switching to a wired connection will generally result in a more stable and often also faster connection. This applies to both your own computer's connection and that of the StrideLinx router.
- Connect the StrideLinx router to a different VPN server.