ATEN US234 2-Port USB 3.0 Peripheral Sharing Device
Overview
The ATEN US234 is a 2-port USB 3.0 peripheral sharing switch that lets two computers share a single USB device — scanner, printer, external drive, or capture hardware — without swapping cables or rebooting. In security and AV installations where a USB-attached enrollment reader or signature pad needs to serve a primary and backup workstation, the US234 eliminates the manual swap and the risk of port wear from repeated plug cycles. Port switching is handled by a 1.8 m remote port selector cable, keeping the control point at the operator's position rather than behind the rack or under the desk. Optional bus power is available via a USB Micro-B female port if the connected peripheral or host cannot supply adequate current on its own.
Compatibility
The US234 is compatible with any USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 host — Windows, macOS, or Linux workstations with standard Type-A USB ports. On the peripheral side, it supports USB 3.0 devices including external storage, card readers, barcode scanners, and HID enrollment peripherals. Compatible with ATEN KVM and peripheral management products in environments where a second USB share point complements an existing KVM switch deployment. Two computers connect simultaneously; only one has active control of the shared device at any given moment — ensure your workflow accounts for this exclusive-access model before deploying in high-throughput environments. Suitable for use alongside USB accessories and peripheral infrastructure in rack-mounted security workstation builds.
Installation Notes
Operating humidity is rated 0–80% RH non-condensing — suitable for conditioned server rooms and operator workstations but not exposed or high-moisture environments. The 1.8 m remote selector cable sets the maximum distance between the shared device location and the switching control point; plan cable routing accordingly. No driver installation is required for standard HID-class USB devices. For peripherals requiring dedicated drivers, install on both connected hosts before sharing. Mount type is listed as rack-compatible; verify panel or tray clearance for the USB cabling run on both host ports.
