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Ask HN: Advice for creating a USB device linking 2 computers

20 points WorldDev | 1 comments | 25 Oct 25 19:01 UTC | HN request time: 0.2s | source

I want to build a little device that connects two computers together via usb, and send keystrokes from one to the other.

(I would use it to use a laptop keyboard on a headless computers).

I am looking for an easy solution, it does not have to be the cheapest.

ChatGPT points me to Arduino, but as far as I can see, there's no arduino with 2 usb ports. It also points me to Raspery pi zero, but that's a computer, not a microcontroller, so not sure if it's suitable.

If anyone with experience can give me some pointers, it would be greatly appreciated!

1. epakai ◴[25 Oct 25 20:09 UTC] No.45706604[source]▶
There are ST Micro parts with two USB ports that can can both be devices. I'm not sure the implications of powering them both at once. Look at STM32F407/417.

It might be simpler to get 2 microcontrollers and establish a communication link between them. Something like Arduino (Nano or even smaller third party boards), or Teensy would be suitable for this kind of setup.