How can I access USB devices in a cloud workstation setup

I recently moved my workstation to a cloud setup and I’m struggling to access my USB devices remotely. I need to use specific hardware like my POS scanner but the cloud environment doesn’t support USB devices directly, and it’s been a real headache. Has anyone managed to connect their USB devices to a cloud OS? Any tools or methods that have worked for you? Thanks!

2 points | by Kate_f25 1 day ago

4 comments

  • NCaffer 20 hours ago
    I had a similar issue but with a 3D mouse, which I rely on heavily for design work. Most remote desktop setups don’t support USB connections. After some research, I found a tool that turned out to be exactly what I needed. You can find more details here https://www.net-usb.com/features/usb-to-cloud/
  • solardev 1 day ago
    It's not super clear to me what you're trying to do. Is the POS scanner a simple barcode reader? If so, many of them can operate as a plain keyboard instead, so it would just enter whatever it scans into whatever text field has focus.

    If the POS reader is something more advanced, like an integrated POS tablet system (Square, etc.), are there any APIs you can use?

    Where does the "cloud setup" come in to play here... like are you on a local computer, with a POS attached, but mostly working in a remote desktop through an app? Or is the POS system itself attached to some other computer in the cloud (like in a colo datacenter or something)? Sorry for the confusion. What data are you trying to send, and to what?

  • mcsniff 1 day ago
    https://github.com/corellium/usbfluxd

    I have used this before, it works in a pinch.

  • atmanactive 12 hours ago