Black Box 4-Port Multimode USB 3.1 Extender Over Fiber

The Black Box ICU544A is a four-port USB 3.1 extender that sends data over multimode fiber so you can place your USB peripherals as far as 200 meters from the host computer. It maintains the full 5 Gbps data rate defined by USB 3.1 Gen 1, which is ten times faster than typical USB 2.0 extenders, yet it still works with older USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices.

Each port auto-negotiates the correct speed for the attached device, whether that is a high-resolution webcam, an external solid-state drive, or a legacy keyboard and mouse. Because the extender is completely plug and play, there are no drivers to install and no configuration menus to navigate. You can connect it to systems that run Windows, macOS, Linux, or Chrome OS and be up and running in minutes.

The included Ethernet side channel passes through 100- or 1000-Mbps traffic, letting you keep network connectivity at the remote location without pulling an extra cable. This is useful when you need both USB and LAN at a workbench, a studio workstation, or a lecture podium.

Typical settings include factory floors where controllers sit away from harsh environments, classrooms where interactive whiteboards live at the front of the room, and secure server rooms where you want to keep storage devices inside a locked rack while operators sit at a separate console. Wherever you need reliable, high-speed USB performance at long distances, the ICU544A delivers a straightforward solution.

• Extends USB signals up to 200 meters over multimode fiber
• Supports USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds up to 5 Gbps and works with USB 2.0 and 1.1 devices
• Four ports with automatic speed negotiation
• True plug and play operation with no software drivers required
• Built-in 100- or 1000-Mbps Ethernet side channel for LAN pass-through
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS