Skip to main content
  • Products
  • Evaluate our Software
  • Downloads
  • Free Utilities
  • Purchase
  • Silicon Vendors
  • Support
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • Search
  • Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • emUSB-Device
  • IP-over-USB

    IP over USB

    The emUSB-Device IP-over-USB add-on allows developers to run any IP-based protocol over USB – easily. Simple and driverless, it is ready-to-run on any operating system. Use a web browser to look into and configure the USB device.

    Contact us
    Downloads
    Documentation
    SEGGER emUSB-Device
    1. 1.Key features
    2. 2.Advantages of IP over USB
    3. 3.IP over USB: Example applications
    4. 4.Physical or virtual Ethernet over USB
    5. 5.Ethernet over USB: How it works
    6. 6.Control USB devices with a web browser
    7. 7.Components required for IP over USB
    8. 8.Try it now
    9. 9.Resource usage
    10. 10.Media gallery
      1. 10.1.Videos

    Overview

    IP-over-USB technology combined with a built-in web server means a device can be accessed from any host - Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows. Users need only type the device’s name into the browser.

    With a USB device, the default name is usb.local. However, serial numbers can be added and multiple device names can be assigned.

    To the right is a screenshot of a web browser connected to a SEGGER J-Trace PRO, displaying what is currently happening: The page shown enables the configuration of the trace pin delays.

    Now, end users have easier access to their devices than ever before. No setup program, driver or special knowledge is required: It simply works!

    This technology is readily available for USB devices, adding more value and user friendliness. No need for keys or display on the unit., either: Any PC can be used to configure a device.

     

    SEGGER J-Trace PRO using IP over USB
    Screenshot of an application sample: SEGGER J-Trace PRO using IP over USB.

    Key features

    • Make IP protocols available on any USB device
    • Multi-platform: No drivers needed for Linux, macOS or Microsoft Windows
    • Simplifies the control of embedded devices via proven protocols
    • High performance, small footprint

    Advantages of IP over USB

    A device’s usability improves considerably with IP-over-USB technology. Instead of paper manuals, explanations can be displayed in a web browser.

    It can also significantly reduce manufacturing costs. With printers for example, many will have a basic 2-line display - which can now be eliminated. In the case of headphones, some buttons may no longer be necessary. Manufacturers no longer have to design, provide or maintain host setup and configuration software.

     

    IP over USB: Example applications

    Any USB device can benefit from this technology. In fact, we consider it a must-have for modern USB devices. IP-over-USB applications can be found in sectors like industrial control, medical devices, smart home devices, heating/climate control, consumer devices and more.

    Have a look at the following examples:

     

    Bluetooth Headphones: Most modern noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones come with a lithium battery that recharges via USB cable. This is typically a Micro-USB connector. While these device’s have great functionality, setting one up can be a challenge. There is often no display and usually only one or two buttons, including an ON/OFF switch. These devices must also be paired with a Bluetooth host and there may be a volume limit and other features that can be tricky to implement.

    Thanks to SEGGER’s IP-over-USB technology, changing these settings is easy and intuitive. Anyone can do it – quickly - no manual required.

    emUSB-IP headphone

    Printers: Web browsers offer the easiest way to get information from a printer. Browsers can explain why it isn’t printing, how many pages are printed, the amount of toner left, etc.

    More importantly, it is also the easiest way to set it up: Paper type, paper format, print quality, IP address setup (for devices with additional Ethernet connectors), color and DPI settings can be selected through the browser.

    Printer

    Physical or virtual Ethernet over USB

    Targets running emUSB-Device-IP are perceived by the host PC as network adapters. They can be used to create a USB to Ethernet converter which works when plugged in, without any drivers. It can also be used to create a virtual network between the PC and the embedded device. The latter makes USB device configuration available through a web browser. No need to waste time developing software for Linux, macOS or Microsoft Windows to control and configure the device. emUSB-Device-IP simply lets the customer use the browser.

    virtual ethernet mac ping
    IP-over-USB physical ethernet graph

    Physical Ethernet

    IP-over-USB virtual ethernet graph

    Virtual Ethernet

    Ethernet over USB: How it works

    The PC recognizes a target running emUSB-Device IP as a network adapter. The PC then sees a virtual network created between the PC and the target.

    An application which communicates via Ethernet-based protocols (browser, FTP client, TELNET client) can access the virtual network created emUSB-Device-IP the same way it accesses any other network.

    For the application, the virtual network is transparent and is handled like any other Ethernet network. The application has no awareness of the underlying USB connection. Proven protocols and existing Ethernet applications can be used with USB-only devices.

    Linux with kernel versions newer than 2.6.22 have full support for emUSB-Device-IP. macOS supports emUSB-Device-IP since version 10.4 (Tiger). Microsoft Windows also support this.

    Components: IP-over-USB is implemented using emUSB-Device and emNet. Additionally an RTOS (embOS) is necessary.

    • emNet provides the application layer for the web server
    • emNet handles the discovery protocols as well
    • emUSB-Device handles USB communication with the different host operating systems via RNDIS or CDC-ECM
    virtual ethernet structure

    Control USB devices with a web browser

    There’s no need to develop a host application on each of the major operating systems just to control a USB device. Instead, a web page can be created via Virtual Ethernet, enabling it to work on all three.

    Create a simple, cost-efficient version of existing, Ethernet-enabled hardware by using emUSB-Device-IP to deliver IP-based services via USB.

    virtual ethernet screen ubuntu
    virtual ethernet macOS
    virtual ethernet windows

    Screenshot of the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu showing ping and the demo web page open in Firefox.

    Safari showing a web page delivered with emUSB-Device-IP on macOS.
     

    The ping utility and a demo web site running in Chromium on Microsoft Windows. Implemented using emUSB-Device-IP.

    Components required for IP over USB

    NamePurposePurchasing
    embOSRTOS - Task, timer, event handling, etc.

    embOS Pricing

    emUSB-Device BASE + driverThe emUSB-Device base package providing basic USB functionality.

    emUSB-Device Pricing

    emUSB-Device-IP

    The component which handles translation from USB to Ethernet.

    emUSB-Device Pricing

    emNet PROComplete TCP/IP stack with all necessary add-ons, such as DNS server, DHCP server, web server, etc.

    emNet Pricing

    Try it now

    Download the emUSB-Device-IP demo for the emPower board:

    • Program the emPower with the default application using Embedded Studio
    • Connect the HS USB connector to your PC
    • Use the URL "http://usb.local" to open the web server demo over USB

    Download

    Other Eval Packages: IP-over-USB is also available for other boards. Have a look in our download section.

    SEGGER emPack - emPower 500

    Resource usage

    The following table shows the approximate resource requirements for the complete IP-over-USB solution excluding the web pages:

    Description ROMRAM
    emUSB-Device + Driver + IP componentApproximately 15 KByteApproximately 5 KByte
    emNet + IPv6 + Webserver + DNS + DHCPApproximately 55 KByteApproximately 27 KByte
    embOSApproximately 4.4 KByteApproximately 3.4 KByte

    Values measured in release mode with size optimization

    Media gallery

    Videos

    SEGGER IP over USB: Control your USB device using a web browser

    Sept. 2020 | 3:42 min
    IP over USB — Intro

    SEGGER IP over USB & Embedded Studio: Control your USB device using a web browser

    Apr. 2018 | 4:26 min
    IP over USB — USB device control

    Remote Display: Establishing a VNC connection between two embedded devices using IP over USB

    Aug. 2019 | 3:09 min
    IP over USB — Remote display

    • User manual
    • Online documentation
    • List of downloads
    • Download for evaluation
    • Update notification
    • Pricing
    • Support
    • Silicon vendor resources

    Headquarters

    SEGGER Microcontroller GmbH

    Ecolab-Allee 5
    40789 Monheim am Rhein, Germany
    info@segger.com
    Tel.: +49-2173-99312-0
    Fax: +49-2173-99312-28

    Locations

    USA: SEGGER Microcontroller Systems LLC

    Boston area
    101 Suffolk Lane
    Gardner, MA 01440, USA
    us-east@segger.com
    Tel.: +1-978-874-0299
    Fax: +1-978-874-0599

    Silicon Valley
    Milpitas, CA 95035, USA
    us-west@segger.com
    Tel.: +1-408-767-4068

    China: SEGGER Microcontroller China Co., Ltd.

    Room 218, Block A, Dahongqiaoguoji
    No. 133 Xiulian Road
    Minhang District, Shanghai 201199, China
    china@segger.com
    Tel.: +86-133-619-907-60

    ISO 9001 certified

    ISO 9001

    30+ years of experience

    First-class embedded software tools since 1992
    • Imprint
    • Disclaimer
    • Code of Conduct
    • Privacy Policy
    © 2025 SEGGER - All rights reserved.