ATEN 8 X 4 USB3.2 GEN1 Industrial HUB Switch - US3384I

ATEN US3384I 8x4 USB 3.2 Gen1 Industrial Hub Switch

The ATEN US3384I is a rack-mount industrial USB hub switch designed for environments where multiple computers need controlled, shared access to up to eight USB 3.2 Gen 1 peripherals — think automated test benches, industrial control rooms, surveillance server rooms, or any facility where USB device sharing across workstations needs to be managed without physical plug-swapping. Unlike consumer-grade USB hubs, this unit is built for fixed infrastructure with a terminal block power input, rack-mounting form factor, and three distinct port-selection methods that give operators real flexibility in how they manage device routing.

Overview

The US3384I handles eight computer connections simultaneously, letting up to four host systems (or a configured subset) share a pool of USB 3.2 Gen 1 devices. Port selection can happen three ways: a front-panel pushbutton for hands-on operation, a remote port selector (the 2XRT-0016G, sold separately) for out-of-reach installations, or serial commands for scripted and automated switching. That last option is what separates this from basic USB switches — serial command control means you can integrate port switching into existing automation workflows, scheduled scripts, or facility management systems without anyone touching the hardware. Eight orange LED indicators confirm the currently selected port at a glance, eliminating guesswork in busy rack environments. Browse the full ATEN catalog for complementary KVM and switching solutions.

Key Features

• USB 3.2 Gen 1 across all 8 ports: Each port runs at up to 5 Gbps — fast enough for high-throughput storage devices, industrial cameras, and data acquisition hardware without bottlenecking the attached peripheral. This isn't USB 2.0 legacy territory; you get genuine SuperSpeed bandwidth on every connection.
• Three port-selection methods: Pushbutton, remote port selector (2XRT-0016G, sold separately), and serial command control. The serial command path is the key differentiator for automated or scripted environments — port switching can be triggered by a host system or PLC without operator intervention, which matters in lights-out or after-hours workflows.
• Rack-mount form factor: Built for standard rack deployment alongside network switches, NVRs, and server equipment. Keeps USB switching consolidated in the rack rather than scattered across desk-level adapters — cleaner installs, easier cable management, simpler auditing.
• Flexible power architecture — terminal block plus DC jack: Two power input paths give you options. The terminal block suits permanent, hard-wired industrial installations where a DC jack would be a liability. The 12V DC jack (female, black) supports the optional 0AD8-8012-50M2 power adapter for standard deployments. Note: the power adapter is sold separately — budget for it if you're not hard-wiring.
• 8 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A to Type-B cables included (1.2m each): All eight host-side cables come in the box at 1.2m length. That's enough reach for a standard rack-to-adjacent-server run without extension, and the Type-B connectors are the industrial standard for device-side connections on printers, scanners, and instrumentation. No scrambling for cables on day one.
• 8 orange port-selection LEDs: Visual confirmation of the active port selection is built in. In a dense rack with multiple switches, knowing which port is live without logging into a management interface prevents mis-routing errors during device swaps or shift handoffs.
• Serial command control for automation integration: For facilities running scheduled USB device polling, automated backup to USB storage, or PLC-driven peripheral management, serial command switching means the US3384I can be embedded in an existing rack management or automation control layer. No separate management software required for basic automation.
• Storage temperature range -20°C to 60°C: Wide enough to survive shipping and staging in uncontrolled warehouse or loading dock environments before installation — a practical spec for equipment that moves through distribution before reaching its permanent home.
• Firmware v1.0.062 (released 2024-12-26): Current firmware is recent, indicating active product support. Firmware upgrades are supported, so the unit can receive fixes or feature updates without hardware replacement — important for long-lifecycle industrial deployments.

Integration and Compatibility

The US3384I connects to host computers via the included USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A to Type-B cables. Serial command control requires a serial connection to the managing host or PLC — check your host system's COM port availability before installation. Remote port selection via the 2XRT-0016G extends physical control to locations away from the rack face, useful in server rooms where the rack is behind a locked door but operators need USB switching capability from a work area. Power options — terminal block or DC jack — mean the unit can integrate into both industrial hard-wired power architectures and standard IT rack environments using the optional 0AD8-8012-50M2 adapter. For installations pairing with surveillance servers or edge compute nodes, the serial command interface can tie port switching into automated data-offload or device-polling routines without custom hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the US3384I require a power adapter, or can it draw power from the USB host?

A: The US3384I requires external power — either via the terminal block (for hard-wired installations) or the 12V DC jack using the optional 0AD8-8012-50M2 power adapter. The power adapter is sold separately. It does not draw bus power from the connected hosts.

Q: Can the US3384I switch ports automatically without manual button presses?

A: Yes. The US3384I supports serial command control, which allows port switching to be triggered programmatically from a connected host or PLC. This enables fully automated USB device routing without any manual intervention at the unit.

Q: Is the remote port selector included in the box?

A: No. The remote port selector (model 2XRT-0016G) is sold separately. The included accessories are the eight USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A to Type-B cables (1.2m each). Contact your supplier to add the remote selector to your order.

Q: What cable length is provided for host connections?

A: The US3384I ships with 8 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A to Type-B cables, each 1.2 meters long — one for each of the eight host computer connections.

Q: Does the US3384I support firmware upgrades in the field?

A: Yes. The current firmware is v1.0.062 (released 2024-12-26) and the unit supports firmware upgrades, allowing you to apply updates in the field without replacing hardware.

Q: What is the storage temperature range for the US3384I?

A: The unit is rated for storage from -20°C to 60°C, making it suitable for staging and transport through warehouse or uncontrolled environments prior to installation.

Eden Phillips

The spec that stands out most on the US3384I is the triple port-selection architecture — pushbutton, remote selector, and serial command in a single unit. Serial command control is what makes this more than a manual USB switch; it means port routing can be embedded in a script or automation controller, which is exactly what you want in a surveillance server room or industrial control deployment where someone shouldn't be physically touching the rack to manage USB peripheral access.

Technical Highlights:

• USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) on all 8 ports: Full SuperSpeed bandwidth across every host connection — no shared bandwidth penalty that you'd see on legacy USB 2.0 switches. High-throughput peripherals like industrial cameras or NAS-style USB storage won't bottleneck.
• Serial command switching: Port selection via serial command integrates directly into PLC or scripted automation workflows. No management software dependency — just a COM port and the right command string, enabling scheduled or event-driven USB device routing.
• Dual power input (terminal block + 12V DC jack): Hard-wire it into an industrial power feed via terminal block, or use the optional 0AD8-8012-50M2 adapter for a standard rack install. Two paths mean you're not locked into one infrastructure type.

Deployment Considerations:

• Budget for the optional 0AD8-8012-50M2 power adapter if you're not hard-wiring via terminal block — the unit requires external power and it does not ship with the adapter included.
• The remote port selector (2XRT-0016G) is also sold separately. If your design calls for out-of-rack port selection, confirm that accessory is on the PO before installation day.

The US3384I fits best in fixed industrial or server-room rack builds where USB peripheral sharing needs to be automated or remotely managed — surveillance edge server deployments offloading to USB storage on a schedule, or industrial test benches routing USB instrumentation across multiple host systems without manual cable swaps.