DisplayPort monitor with USB hub, switch to another machine with all USBs?

Question

So, I'd really like to just be able to sit down at my desk, with my gaming pc all connected up and working, plug my MacBook Air in to the DisplayPort and pick up all the USB devices.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-206-SA

The graphics card I'm using on the gaming PC is a Radeon HD 7900, will this happily see the USB devices connected on the monitor?

Is there some kind of DisplayPort only switch that I can just press a button and it'll switch it all over to the other machine?

Can't really find much information about this kind of setup, anyone have any experience?

Solution

Dell UltraSharp U3415W has the same capability. Here's how it works, I would imagine other Dell monitors are similar.

There are four USB3.0 "A" ports you can use to plug USB devices into the USB hub built into the monitor. Three are on the same plate as the power/video connections (bottom backside of the monitor), and the fourth is out on the edge of the display at the back, like if you wanted to have an easier to reach place to plug a USB key.

There are two USB3.0 "B" ports to plug cables which would go to a computer. These are on the same plate as the power and video connections They're labeled "USB 1" and "USB 2"

In the menu for the monitor, you bind the USB ports to a video input. For example: "USB1 goes with DisplayPort" and "USB2 goes with HDMI"

Then you run the USB1 and DisplayPort cables to one computer, and the USB2 and HDMI cables to the other computer.

When you use the buttons on the monitor to select DisplayPort, your USB devices are automatically connected to the matching computer. When you change display input to HDMI, the USB hub automatically gets switched to the other computer at the same time.

It's quite slick -- But obviously you need to think about for example, USB storage, which doesn't want to be ejected uncleanly, which it will be if you switch display outputs without manually ejecting the USB key first.

Comments

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

"Is there some kind of DisplayPort only switch that I can just press a button and it'll switch it all over to the other machine?" You are describing a KVM switch, like this:ca.startech.com/Server-Management/KVM-Switches/…

[Michael Baldry]

But if the USB is provided via the DisplayPort, I don't need a full KVM switch, just one that does DisplayPort :)

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

USB isn't carried over DP so you're going to need a separate USB connection from the monitor's USB-hub to the computer(s).

[Michael Baldry]

DisplayPort 1.2 carries USB superuser.com/questions/363649/can-displayport-carry-usb

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

Nice, I wasn't really aware of that AUX channel defined in that manner (just the Multi-Stream stuff). You video card may support it (it say it's DP 1.2, whether they actually used that feature of 1.2 and pumped USB through it would have to be tested). I'd be more concerned about that monitor you mention -- it's specs refers to the USB Hub and the specific USB upstream connector to connect the USB hub to the computer. Have you confirmed this monitor can do it?

[Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007]

There are DisplayPort 1.2-compatible KVMs out there as well: belkinbusiness.com/products/…. So again, you need a KVM, you just have to find the right one (and before you do it, asking for a product recommendation here at SU would be off-topic ;) ). But not only that, you have to hope that all manufacturers of the devices you choose, actually implemented a USB over DP solution in their "1.2" implementations.

[Michael Baldry]

Good question, I'd looked at the ports on the monitor and didn't see an upstream USB port so assumed it was via display port! Yes, I see a specification as something that must be implemented fully to claim your product supports it. Not implement half of it, but in the real world you are probably right :(

[Michael Baldry]

Maybe I'd just have to go for a DP and USB switch to keep things simple..

[Michael Baldry]

You just answered a 4 year old question :)

[Nethan]

Yup! Because there was still no answer! And I had the same question.

[HankCa]

Sweet thanks, I was trying to find this answer. I chatted to Dell support and they had no clue. I sent an email to their technical support and have not received a reply. But this is exactly what I'm looking for and it is such a nice feature to have - I don't know why they don't up-sell it better.