Ethernet-only switch with usb-input port: Do they exist?

[Vegster]

There are countles wireless routers out there. Newer models also come with around 4 ethernet ports for wired networking, hence they also function as a wired router/switch. Many of these routers also come with a usb-input port intended for peripherals like printers or external hard drives. A feature I find very handy.
Example of one such product, is this: Zyxel Wireless

But I can not for the life of me find a ethernet-only switch with the same usb-input functionality. What I'm looking for is something like this: Zyxel Ethernet WITH the possibilty to connect peripherals via USB for sharing over the wired network. So my question is: Does it exist? If so, I would be overjoyed if someone could provide me with a link or other information on where to buy one.

Regards.
Vegster

Addendum:
I am not asking for alternative solutions. I am well aware of what my options are.
-"Why dont you just..." is not the answer I am looking for.

 

[jfreggie2]

There's this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-PSUS4-PrintServer-Port-Switch/dp/B0000DF2LT

But kind of curious why you're opposed to the router?
If it's easier to find a wireless router with the USB port, just turn the wireless off, and don't use the router functionality.

 

[Maxx_Power]

A switch that has a USB host necessarily needs a server inside, which has an IP address associated with the USB devices, so you can share and access them. Basically, that is nearly all the silicon that is necessary to make a router (switch+routing logic).

A switch just forwards packets depending on what layer the switch is operating on (usually MAC address layer or IP address layer). It doesn't have any abilities to assign IP addresses or serve any ports and so on. The reason why you see USB storage being a common option on wireless routers is because the CPU inside those systems can easily power a simple storage server, and basically it is super cheap to rig up a router with USB storage, and thus a lot of manufacturers sell them. You CAN get a USB-ethernet server that plugs into ethernet ports and shares over the network, but that solution isn't usually cost effective.

In other words, a switch with the capability to serve and route, would be a router, it is only recently that all-in-one devices that really are gateway+wireless AP+wired switch+router devices are just called routers for convenience. The wireless aspect is just that an all-in-one product is easier to sell to the masses. If you don't need a specific option like wifi, you can easily disable it in the firmware setup page of routers.

I know you are not looking for alternative solutions, but if you obtained say, an ASUS RT-N16, and set it up so that the wireless is disabled, it ESSENTIALLY is exactly what you are looking for, with a polished interface.

 

[Vegster]

There's this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-PSUS4-PrintServer-Port-Switch/dp/B0000DF2LT

But kind of curious why you're opposed to the router?
If it's easier to find a wireless router with the USB port, just turn the wireless off, and don't use the router functionality.

I've mixed up the whole switch/router terminology. Apologies
I wont mind it being a router. In essence, I could have just said: What I'm looking for, is the first product example, but without the wireless functionality.

 

[Vegster]

A switch that has a USB host necessarily needs a server inside, which has an IP address associated with the USB devices, so you can share and access them. Basically, that is nearly all the silicon that is necessary to make a router (switch+routing logic).

A switch just forwards packets depending on what layer the switch is operating on (usually MAC address layer or IP address layer). It doesn't have any abilities to assign IP addresses or serve any ports and so on. The reason why you see USB storage being a common option on wireless routers is because the CPU inside those systems can easily power a simple storage server, and basically it is super cheap to rig up a router with USB storage, and thus a lot of manufacturers sell them. You CAN get a USB-ethernet server that plugs into ethernet ports and shares over the network, but that solution isn't usually cost effective.

In other words, a switch with the capability to serve and route, would be a router, it is only recently that all-in-one devices that really are gateway+wireless AP+wired switch+router devices are just called routers for convenience. The wireless aspect is just that an all-in-one product is easier to sell to the masses. If you don't need a specific option like wifi, you can easily disable it in the firmware setup page of routers.

I know you are not looking for alternative solutions, but if you obtained say, an ASUS RT-N16, and set it up so that the wireless is disabled, it ESSENTIALLY is exactly what you are looking for, with a polished interface.

Thank you for a very informative and educational answer. I suspected I was mixing up terminology and what the differences between a switch and a router was.

 

[Maxx_Power]

A switch that has a USB host necessarily needs a server inside, which has an IP address associated with the USB devices, so you can share and access them. Basically, that is nearly all the silicon that is necessary to make a router (switch+routing logic).

A switch just forwards packets depending on what layer the switch is operating on (usually MAC address layer or IP address layer). It doesn't have any abilities to assign IP addresses or serve any ports and so on. The reason why you see USB storage being a common option on wireless routers is because the CPU inside those systems can easily power a simple storage server, and basically it is super cheap to rig up a router with USB storage, and thus a lot of manufacturers sell them. You CAN get a USB-ethernet server that plugs into ethernet ports and shares over the network, but that solution isn't usually cost effective.

In other words, a switch with the capability to serve and route, would be a router, it is only recently that all-in-one devices that really are gateway+wireless AP+wired switch+router devices are just called routers for convenience. The wireless aspect is just that an all-in-one product is easier to sell to the masses. If you don't need a specific option like wifi, you can easily disable it in the firmware setup page of routers.

I know you are not looking for alternative solutions, but if you obtained say, an ASUS RT-N16, and set it up so that the wireless is disabled, it ESSENTIALLY is exactly what you are looking for, with a polished interface.

Thank you for a very informative and educational answer. I suspected I was mixing up terminology and what the differences between a switch and a router was.

You are very welcome! Cheers!