How VirtualHere Changed My E-Commerce Business
What exactly is VirtualHere and what can it do for your business?
Generally USB devices need to be plugged straight into your computer to be made use of. With VirtualHere this is no longer required, the network itself becomes the cord transferring USB signals (likewise called USB over IP, USB/IP, USB over WiFi, USB over Ethernet, USB Device Server).
This USB server solution is excellent for permitting USB devices to be used remotely over a LAN network, online, or in the Cloud without the USB tool requiring to be literally attached to remote client device. The USB gadget appears as if it was straight connected although it is plugged in to a remote server, consequently all existing drivers as well as software work, no unique modifications are required.
The VirtualHere software is commercial quality, utilized by countless customers, and numerous OEMs and is exceptionally very easy to configure and use. It has a powerful API so device interaction can be scripted, along with an intuitive user interface. There are 2 parts:
The VirtualHere USB Server software works on the Synology, QNAP, ASUSTOR, ReadyNAS and MyCloud NAS Devices, as well as Raspberry Pi, AMD64, x86, MIPS, ARM, PowerPC, ARM64 and so on running ANY variation of Linux, and also currently runs on OSX, Android as well as Windows And WSL2. Also, now available on the Heavy steam Link game system!
The VirtualHere USB Client software requires minimal installment and also works on each end user machine or cloud instance, for Windows, OSX and also Linux
NEW: The VirtualHere client and also server currently supports EasyFind so you can quickly connect from anywhere, no network arrangement or details required!
How Can VirtualHere Help My Business?
For my personal business, I operate my business out of two locations. The first space being my office and the second space being my home office. Prior to moving into this new house, I had all of my printers hooked up directly to my computer via USB ports. Unfortunately this was no longer an option as the computer is set up on the opposite side of the room. I would have to run USB cables that are at least 6-10 ft for each printer.
With VirtualHere, I was able to use a secondary device to host the printers. While any computer on the network could access the same USB devices including my business computer. Though the downside is you have to disconnect a device prior to starting it from another device. This isn’t a bad thing IF you’re not able to have these printers connected via a network.
Sidenote: I’ve also heard, but have not tried this yet, you can access those usb devices from anywhere even when you’re not connected to the network. This creates the ability to have even usb storage devices connected allowing you to have your own.
What is needed?
- Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless)
- WaveShare USB HUB Board with Case
- 32GB Micro SD Card
- Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable
- Any Monitor
- Any Keyboard
- Any Mouse
- Virtual Here (Trial or Paid)
Other accessories you may also want?
The Raspberry Pi Set-Up
After initially setting up your Raspberry Pi, you will need to open the terminal in the top menu bar. If you don’t see it another way is to use CTRL+ALT+T. You can also open it via the menu; choose Menu > Accessories > Terminal.
The first command you are going to want to enter is to select the downloads folder; this allows the next command to download directly to that folder.
cd Downloads/
The next command allows your raspberry pi to automatically fetch the download you will need.
wget http://www.virtualhere.com/sites/default/files/usbserver/vhusbdarm
The next command you will need to use is to alter the permissions your system requires for the software.
chmod +x vhusbdarm
The next command you will need to use tells the system to run the app in sudo mode along with telling it to run in the background.
sudo ./vhusbdarm -b
The Client System Set-Up
You will need to start out by downloading the supported software for your system. Whether it’s Windows, MacOS, Linux GUI.
Go ahead and download it from the following link:
https://itsahazardlife.com/virtualhere-usb-client-download/
Quick Links To The Most Used Systems
Windows
VirtualHere Client for Windows (64-Bit Win10,Win11/Server 2016/2019/2022
VirtualHere Client for Windows ARM64 (Win 10/Win11 on ARM64)
MacOS
VirtualHere Client for MacOS 12/13
Linux
VirtualHere Client for Linux Intel 32-bit
VirtualHere Client for Linux 64-bit
All others can be DOWNLOADED HERE
After you have downloaded the client software, if the Raspberry Pi is on your network it will automatically connect to it.
Side-note: If you’re on a different network, you may need to enter your EasyFind ID which can be found by right clicking on your device in the Client on your computer that is connected to the same network.
From here you are basically set to go, some USB devices will need the drivers installed on your client PC in order to work (ie: Printers)