Share USB port over internet?

Question

I'm using TeamViewer to access my iMac (Snow Leopard) from my laptop (Windows 7) remotely. Is it possible to make Mac recognize my iPad as plugged in to a USB port on my laptop?

Are there any free programs that will do this?

EDIT:

A friend of mine mentioned network drive sharing. How would that work? Would it?

Solution 1

There are tools to redirect USB over Ethernet, like the one from Eltima. I used this to redirect a local USB port to a server accessed by Remote Desktop.

However this is a Windows-only solution, and I couldn't find such a program that works for both Mac and Windows.

Anway, even if it exists, I doubt it's free as it's pretty complex to code. All the similar programs to "USB over Ethernet" from Eltima I could find must be paid for.

Solution 2

I doubt this will work even if you find a cross-platform USB over Ethernet software. Even USB HUBs sometimes cause syncing problems with Apples i-Devices where you have to restore the software through iTunes.

Comments

[digitxp]

What kind of USB device are you talking about?

[Simon Hughes]

That probably has to do with powering issues and USB hubs, nothings to do with the concept of USB.

[Alex Placet]

A more user friendly software from the same company: FlexiHub