SMART Cat 5 USB Extender

SMARTSKU: 4214860

Price:
Sale price$109.22

Description

SMART Cat 5 USB Extender

The SMART Cat 5 USB Extender is a versatile, high-performance solution designed to overcome distance barriers in classrooms, training rooms, boardrooms, and professional labs. Built to expand the reach of USB peripherals without compromising speed or reliability, this extender connects USB devices to a host computer over standard Cat5e/6 cabling. Whether you’re wiring an interactive whiteboard, a document camera, a projector, or a series of USB peripherals across a long table or auditorium, the SMART Cat 5 USB Extender delivers a clean, plug-and-play experience with robust data integrity. The system uses a transmitter and receiver pair that communicate over Cat5e/6 cables, turning ordinary Ethernet cables into a dedicated USB conduit. This is particularly valuable in environments where cable runs would otherwise create hazards or clutter, or where wireless alternatives fall short in responsiveness or security. Say goodbye to desk clutter and signal dropouts and enjoy stable, high-bandwidth USB connectivity across rooms and campuses, all while maintaining a straightforward setup that works with existing network infrastructure.

  • Distance and reliability: Extends USB connections up to 100 meters (328 feet) over Cat5e/6 cables, with lossless data transfer and minimal latency. This makes it ideal for interactive whiteboards, document cameras, projectors, and shared peripherals in classrooms, training facilities, and corporate settings where devices must be accessed from a distance.
  • USB 2.0 high-speed performance: Delivers up to 480 Mbps data transfer for compatible devices, ensuring smooth operation of keyboards, mice, printers, webcams, USB drives, and other standard USB peripherals without noticeable lag—even when devices are located far from the host computer.
  • Plug-and-play simplicity: Designed for quick, user-friendly setup with no driver installations required for most USB devices. It supports standard USB HID devices out of the box, enabling immediate use after connecting the USB host, Cat5e/6 cable, and the remote device.
  • Flexible power options: Works in bus-powered configurations for short runs and lower-power devices; when longer cable distances or power-hungry devices are involved, an external power supply on the transmitter or receiver keeps performance stable and consistent.
  • Education- and professional-grade resilience: Built to withstand daily classroom and conference-room use with robust construction and simple maintenance, providing dependable connectivity for interactive displays, video conferencing peripherals, printers, and other shared USB devices in busy environments.

Technical Details of SMART Cat 5 USB Extender

  • Max distance: Up to 100 meters (328 feet) over Cat5e/6 cables; performance may vary with cable quality, environmental interference, and device power requirements.
  • USB version and speed: USB 2.0 High Speed, 480 Mbps theoretical bandwidth; backward compatible with USB 1.1 devices.
  • Connection architecture: Transmitter unit connects to the host USB port; receiver unit connects to the target USB device; both units communicate over a standard RJ45 Cat5e/6 link.
  • Device compatibility: Works with common USB peripherals including keyboards, mice, printers, scanners, webcams, USB drives, document cameras, and other USB HID and storage devices.
  • Power options: Can operate in bus-powered mode for shorter runs or lower-current devices; external power supply is recommended for longer runs or higher-current devices to maintain signal integrity.
  • Compatibility and drivers: Plug-and-play for most operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux); no special drivers required for standard USB devices.
  • Physical design: Transmitter and receiver units are designed for desktop or small rack-mount setups; compact form factors support discreet installation in classrooms, conference rooms, and labs.
  • Status indicators: LED indicators provide clear link and activity status to help with quick installation and troubleshooting.

how to install SMART Cat 5 USB Extender

Deploying the SMART Cat 5 USB Extender in a classroom, meeting room, or lab is straightforward and quick. Start by preparing a stable workstation with the host computer and the intended peripheral. Connect the transmitter unit directly to the host computer’s USB port using the included USB cable. Run a Cat5e/6 cable from the transmitter’s RJ45 port to the remote receiver’s RJ45 port, ensuring the cable is clear of sources of electrical interference and not routed parallel to high-power lines. At the remote end, plug your USB device into the receiver’s USB port; this can be a keyboard, mouse, printer, document camera, webcam, or any USB 2.0-compatible device. If your installation distance or the connected device requires additional power, attach the included external power adapters to the appropriate units as recommended in the product manual. Finally, power on all devices and verify that the host detects the USB device. Look for the LED indicators on both units to confirm a solid link and active data transfer. For best results, keep cables neatly managed, avoid bending Cat5e/6 cables sharply, and minimize interference from nearby electrical equipment. With these steps, you can extend USB device reach across rooms while preserving performance, reliability, and ease of use for students, teachers, presenters, and IT staff alike.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the maximum distance supported by the SMART Cat 5 USB Extender? The extender supports up to 100 meters (328 feet) over Cat5e/6 cables under optimal conditions; performance can be affected by cable quality, interference, and USB device power requirements.
  • Do I need any software or drivers? For standard USB HID devices and most peripherals, the setup is plug-and-play with no additional drivers required. Some specialized devices may need drivers installed on the host computer.
  • Will it work with interactive whiteboards and classroom peripherals? Yes. The extender is specifically designed to extend USB connections used by interactive whiteboards, document cameras, projectors, and related classroom devices over long cable runs without signal degradation.
  • Can I power the extender over the Cat5 cable? The kit supports bus-powered operation for shorter runs; for longer runs or high-current devices, connect the optional external power supplies to the transmitter and/or receiver as recommended in the installation guide.
  • Is it compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux? Yes. The extender is designed to be cross-platform, with broad compatibility across major operating systems, and it generally requires no driver installation for standard USB devices.

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