StarTech.com USBthere USB221EXT Instruction Manual

USBthere 1 Port 165 ft. (50m) Multi­Speed USB 2.0 Extender

Instruction Manual

USB221EXT

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

Thank you for purchasing the USB221EXT. Please read this guide
thoroughly before installation.

FCC Radio Frequency Interference Statement Warning

The USB221EXT has been tested and found compliant with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when installed and operated in a commercial environment. The USB221EXT
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with this user guide, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. Operation of the USB221EXT in a residential area
is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required
to correct the interference at his own expense.

CE Statement

We, StarTech.com, declare under our sole responsibility that the
USB221EXT, to which this declaration relates, is in conformity with
European Standard EN 55022/A1 Class A, and EN 50082-1 (IEC 801-2,
IEC 801-3, IEC 801-4)

IC Statement

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

©2005 StarTech.com. All rights reserved. StarTech.com, the StarTech.com
logo, and the StarTech.com products referred to herein are either the
trademarks or the registered trademarks of StarTech.com. All other
trademarks are property of their respective owners. StarTech.com assumes
no responsibility for errors that may appear in this manual. Information
contained herein is subject to change without notice.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual



Introduction……………………………………………………………… 1
Contents………………………………………………………………….. 1
About the USB221EXT………………………………………………….. 2
Before You Begin………………………………………………………... 6
Installation……………………………………………………………….. 6
Troubleshooting………………………………………………………….. 9
Specifications……………………………………………………………. 11
Technical Support………………………………………………………... 12
Warranty Information……………………………………………………. 12

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

1

Introduction

This manual is intended to assist IT professionals install the USB221EXT .
The instructions in this guide assume a general knowledge of computer
installation procedures, familiarity with cabling requirements, and some
understanding of USB devices.

NOTE

: Notes give additional information that could make installation

easier.

USB221EXT Product Contents

When you open your USB221EXT for the first time you should find the
following items:

 USB221EXT User Guide
 Local unit
 Remote unit
 AC power adapter (2)
 USB cable (2m long)

To complete the installation, you will also require the following items that
are not included with the product:

 USB 2.0 compatible computer
 USB device
 Category 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable with two RJ45

connectors (if using surface cabling),
OR,
Category 5 UTP cabling with two information outlets and two
Category 5 UTP patch cords with RJ45 connectors (if using
premise cabling)

NOTE

: The maximum length of the Category 5 UTP cable, including patch

cords, must not exceed 165 feet (50m).

NOTE

: Use only the AC adapters supplied with the USB221EXT. Use of

substitute adapters may cause permanent damage to the system and
will void the warranty.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

2

About the USB221EXT

The USB221EXT incorporates StarTech.com’s USBthere technology. This
technology breaks the five-meter distance barrier for the connection of USB
peripheral devices and allows users to enjoy the benefits of USB technology
beyond the desktop. With the USB221EXT, USB devices can be located up
to 165 feet (50 meters) from the host computer.

The USB221EXT is composed of two individual units; the Local unit and
the Remote unit.

The Local unit

The Local unit connects to the host computer using a conventional
USB cable. Depending on your needs, it also connects to a power
outlet through an AC power adapter.

Front
View

1

2

5

64

3

1 Host LED
2 Host Port (USB Type B)
3 Link LED

4 Link Port (RJ45)
5 Power LED
6 Power connector

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

3

The Remote unit

The Remote unit connects to the USB device using a conventional
USB cable. Depending on your needs, it also connects to a power
outlet through an AC power adapter. The Remote unit allows you to
connect one USB device.

Front
View

2

1 3

4

Rear
View

6

5

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

4

1 Link LED
2 Link Port (RJ45)
3 Power LED
4 Power connector

5 Device LED(s)
6 Device Port(s) (USB Type A)

Network Cabling

The Local unit and Remote unit are interconnected by up to 165 feet
(50 meters) of Category 5 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling.
The UTP cabling must have a straight-through conductor
configuration, with no crossovers, and must be terminated with 8­conductor RJ45 connectors at both ends.

Category 5 cable

USB

USB

Local

Remote

cable

cable(s)

USB

device(s)

computer

AC power adapters

NOTE

:Category 5 UTP cabling is the standard data communications cable

installed in most commercial and some residential buildings.

USB Cables

USB cables have two distinct connectors. The Type A connector is used to
connect the cable from a USB device to the Type A port on a computer or
hub. The Type B connector is used to attach the USB cable to a USB device.

USB Type A

port

USB Type A

connector

USB Type B

port

USB Type B

connector

Compatibility

The USB221EXT complies with USB 2.0 specifications governing the
design of high-speed USB devices. However, StarTech.com does not

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

5

guarantee that all high-speed USB devices are compatible with the
USB221EXT.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

6

Before You Begin

Before you can install the USB221EXT, you need to prepare your site.

1. Determine where the host computer is to be located and set up the

computer.

2. Determine where you want to locate the USB device(s).

3. If you are using surface cabling, ensure you have enough Category

5 UTP cabling to connect the two locations.
OR
If you are using premise cabling, ensure Category 5 UTP cabling is

installed between the two locations, with Category 5 information

outlets located near both the computer and the USB device.

Installing the Local unit

1. Place the Local unit near the host computer.

2. Plug the power adapter into a suitable AC outlet.

3. Connect the power adapter to the Local unit.

4. Plug the Type B connector on the USB cable (included) into the

Host port on the Local unit.

5. Plug the Type A connector on the USB cable into the USB port on

the computer.

NOTE

: The host computer must be equipped with an EHCI (USB 2.0) host

controller. Support for OHCI/UHCI (USB 1.1) host controllers is

not provided.

Installing the Remote unit

1. Place the Remote unit near the USB device.

2. Plug the power adapter into a suitable AC outlet.

3. Connect the power adapter to the Remote unit.

Connecting the Local unit to the Remote unit

NOTE

:To ensure proper operation, we recommend that only Category 5 or

better, Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling be used to connect

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

7

the Local unit to the Remote unit. The UTP cabling must have a

straight-through conductor configuration with no crossovers, and

must be terminated with 8-conductor RJ45 connectors at both ends.

With Surface Cabling

1. Plug one end of the Category 5 UTP cabling (not included) into the

Link port on the Local unit.

2. Plug the other end of the Category 5 UTP cabling into the Link port

on the Remote unit.

With Premise Cabling

1. Plug one end of a Category 5 patch cord (not included) into the

Link port on the Local unit.

2. Plug the other end of the patch cord into the Category 5 information

outlet near the host computer.

3. Plug one end of the second Category 5 patch cord (not included)

into the Link port on the Remote unit.

4. Plug the other end of the second patch cord into the Category 5

information outlet near the USB device.

NOTE

: The maximum length of the Category 5 UTP cable, including patch

cords, must not exceed 165 feet (50 meters).

Checking the Installation

1. Check that the Power LEDs on the Local unit and Remote unit are

both on.

2. Check that the Link LEDs on the Local unit and Remote unit are

both on.

3. Check that the Host LED on the Local unit is on.

4. On the host PC, open the Device Manager applet. Expand the entry

for Universal Serial Bus controllers by clicking the + sign. If the

USB221EXT has been installed correctly you should find it listed

as a Generic USB Hub.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

8

Connecting a USB Device

1. Install any software required to operate the USB device(s). Refer to

the documentation for the device(s), as required.

2. Connect the USB device to the Device port on the Remote unit.

3. Check that the Device LED on the Remote unit is on.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

9

Troubleshooting

The following table provides troubleshooting help. The topics are arranged
in the order in which they should be executed in most situations. If you are
unable to resolve the problem after following these instructions, please
contact technical support for further assistance (see page 12).

Symptoms/Cause Remedy

All LEDs on Local unit
and Remote unit are
off.

Cause:

The USB221EXT is not
receiving power from
the adapter

1. Ensure that the power adapter is connected to
the Local unit and Remote unit

2. Check that the adapter is connected to a live
source of electrical power

Link LEDs on Local unit
and Remote unit are
off.

Cause:

There is no connection
between the Local unit
and Remote unit.

1. Ensure that a Category 5 UTP cable with
straight-through conductors is connected
between the Local unit and Remote unit.

2. Connect a short Category 5 patch cord
between the Local unit and Remote unit.
Recheck the operation of the system.

Link LED on Local unit
is on;
Host LED on Local unit
is off.

Cause:

a) The computer is not

functioning.

b) The Local unit is not

connected to the
computer.

c) The computer does

not support USB
hubs.

d) The USB221EXT is

malfunctioning.

1. Disconnect all USB devices from the Remote
unit.

2. Disconnect the Local unit from the computer.

3. Disconnect and then reconnect the power
adapter to the USB221EXT.

4. Reconnect the Local unit to the computer.

5. In the Universal Serial Bus controllers section
of Device Manager, check that the
USB221EXT is recognised as a “Generic USB
Hub”.

6. If the USB221EXT is not recognised, contact
technical support for assistance (see page

12).

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

10

Symptoms/Cause Remedy

A device is connected
to Remote unit and the
corresponding Device
LED is off

Cause:

a) The USB device is

malfunctioning.

b) The computer does

not recognise the
USB device.

c) The application

software for the
device is not
operating.

d) The USB221EXT is

malfunctioning.

1. Disconnect the USB221EXT from the
computer.

2. Connect the USB device directly to the USB
port on the computer.

3. If the device does not operate properly,
consult the user documentation for the device.

4. If the device operates properly when directly
connected to the computer, connect another
device (of a different type) to the
USB221EXT. Connect the USB221EXT to the
computer.

5. If the second device does not operate, the
USB221EXT may be malfunctioning. Contact
technical support for assistance.

6. If the second device does operate properly,
the first device may not be compatible with the
USB221EXT. Contact technical support for
assistance.

All LEDs on both the
Local unit and Remote
unit are on but the
device does not
operate correctly

Cause:

a) The USB device is

malfunctioning.

b) The computer does

not recognise the
USB device.

c) The application

software for the
device is not
operating.

d) The USB221EXT is

malfunctioning.

1. Disconnect the USB221EXT from the
computer.

2. Connect the USB device directly to the USB
port on the computer.

3. If the device does not operate properly,
consult the user documentation for the device.

4. If the device operates properly when directly
connected to the computer, connect another
device (of a different type) to the
USB221EXT. Connect the USB221EXT to the
computer.

5. If the second device does not operate, the
USB221EXT may be malfunctioning. Contact
technical support for assistance.

6. If the second device does operate properly,
the first device may not be compatible with the
USB221EXT. Contact technical support for
assistance.

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

11

Specifications

Range (over Category
5 UTP cable)

165 feet (50 meters)

USB device support

High-speed devices (480 Mb/s)
Full speed devices (12 Mb/s)
Low speed devices (1.5 Mb/s)

USB hub support Any single chain can include four USB hubs and

one USB221EXT, in any order.

AC adapter(s)

Input: 110/240 V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
Output: 5 V DC, 2 A

Power available to USB
device at Remote unit

1 x 500 mA

USB cable 2 meters (6.6 ft)

Local unit connector
(upstream)

1 x USB Type B

Local unit connector
(downstream)

1 x RJ45

Remote unit connector
(upstream)

1 x RJ45

Remote unit connector
(downstream)

1 x USB Type A

Local unit dimensions

107 mm x 84 mm x 34 mm

4.25” x 3.4” x 1.4”

Local unit weight 0.3 kg (0.6 lb)

Remote unit
dimensions

107 mm x 84 mm x 34 mm

4.25” x 3.4” x 1.4”

Remote unit weight 0.3 kg (0.6 lb)

Total system shipping
weight

1.1 kg (2.4 lb)

Temperature range 4°C to 40°C
Regulatory testing FCC, CE Class A

USB221EXT Instruction Manual

12

Technical Support

StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our
commitment to provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with
your product, visit www.startech.com/support and access our
comprehensive selection of online tools, documentation, and downloads.

Warranty Information

This product is backed by a one year warranty. In addition, StarTech.com
warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for the
periods noted, following the initial date of purchase. During this period, the
products may be returned for repair, or replacement with equivalent products
at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor costs only.
StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising
from misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA
LLP (or their officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages
(whether direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or
otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business, or any pecuniary loss, arising out
of or related to the use of the product exceed the actual price paid for the
product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions
contained in this statement may not apply to you.

Instruction Manual