Re: OT: Using a USB hub with 3 computers, 1 printer, 1 external drive (for backup for any of the three PCs)

[Dan Ritter <dsr@randomstring.org>]

rhkramer@gmail.com wrote: 
> In a way, the subject covers most of it: " Using a USB hub with 3 computers, 1 
> printer, 1 external drive (for backup for any of the three PCs)".
> 
> I don't know much about USB hubs, I guess all of the ports are two way.
> 
> To clarify, if needed, I'd like to buy a 5 (or more) port USB (3.0) hub to 
> connect 3 PCs, 1 printer, and 1 external drive such that I can print or backup 
> from any of the 3 pcs.

Others have told you why this won't work.

Let's explore other ways that you can achieve the same goals.

I'm going to assume that all 3 PCs are connected to a local
network, and you can get 

Goals:

1. Print from any PC to the printer

2. Backup from any PC to the backup disk

Is that correct?

If so:

1. Printing:

- if the printer has an ethernet port, plug it in to your
  network. If it has wifi, turn that on. Done.

- if the printer does not have an ethernet port, plug it in to
  a computer that will always be on when you need to print,
  and share it on the network with CUPS. (Debian provides 
  a CUPS server.)

- if CUPS doesn't make you happy, install Samba and share with
  that.

2. Backup

- Debian machines can backup over the network to a machine where
  the USB disk is plugged in. 'backupninja' can help configure
  that.

- Windows machines can backup over the network to a Debian
  machine where the USB disk is plugged in. Samba is the key
  here.

- Mac OS X machines can backup over the network to a Debian
  machine where the USB disk is plugged in. netatalk is the key
  here -- it can be used for native Time Machine backups.

Happy to help.

-dsr-