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I'm modifying my desktop computer case and I want to plug everything into the USB ports in the back of it. However, the ports are not easy to reach and sometimes I have to unplug some devices because the operating system acts funny in certain cases.
So I thought of this: I want to connect a plug to an USB port, connect the +5V line to a rocker switch, and then collect all the lines into a socket, to which I will plug my device. Now, here is my problem.
Would I be limited by cable length due to capacitance etc? I don't want to harm the computer or its USB port by making a stupid mistake.
Would I need to disconnect all lines? In that case a set of relays seem much more logical. However, passing the data lines over relays could distort the signals maybe. I don't know anything about high speed cables. Do you think this could affect communication?
Also, in case of disconnecting all the lines, in what order should I connect/disconnect the lines?
Will I get in trouble because of the bouncing from the switch? I guess the USB connectors also have some bouncing but the USB system is probably engineered for their bouncing characteristics.
Edit: Thank you all for your answers, I originally asked this question on the electronics forum of the same network but somebody migrated it to here, sorry if I wasted your time.
A hub would definitely work, but I want to hide the cables and the ports as much as possible, so it's not a solution I'd prefer. This is a case mod after all, aesthetics is somewhat important also.
The problem with the operating system isn't easily solved, i.e. by ejecting. The OS initializes my Bluetooth dongle in a weird way if it's plugged in during bootup and then I have to recycle it before I can use it. That's one of the devices I'd like to switch. The other one is a webcam which I occasionally use and rather not have connected all the time.
What? Your question is really difficult to understand what is your problem or what you want to archive, and has some affirmation that is not true. Just the first point is more "answerable" Yes ofcourse you have limit on cable length, but that depends on a factor of variables, in general 2 meters considering high-speed devices. – None – 2014-01-14T13:04:49.873
But just for starting, I don't know why you want to "power" devices out by a mechanic switch. First you need to discover (at least try) why you get in troubles with the devices connected. Are not you trying to get more current than the USB can supply? If so, you should use other USB host (put the front port header to the back, normally its other host controller), or a powered USB hub, but this would reduce bandwidth. – None – 2014-01-14T13:08:26.483
What kind of USB devices are you talking about? Media can be logically disconnected by simply ejecting them. Are you talking about keyboards and other things? – Synetech – 2014-01-14T16:46:13.407