I have searched this site and many others looking for a way to "split" or mirror data from an USB device (bar code scanner)to two computers. We need to do a parallel cut-over from a legacy asset management system (whose interface, at each loading dock, is a LAN connected PC with an USB bar code scanner) to a WEB applic…

I would use the YUN Arduino board to provide a REST service that reports the results of the device to as many callers as needed.These < $100.00 and provide all of hardware needed to interface a USB device to the Network.Given that you have the LAN as a part of the project and LAN solution would work well.

Can we connect this to a laptop usb and directly use it to communicate between 2 laptops?

Yes you could use this to communicate between two laptops if you had two of these USB to TTL serial adapters connected together. These USB to TTL serial devices are actually designed for connecting to Raspberry Pi's or Arduino's TTL debug serial ports.For transfer between two laptops it would be better to use Ethernet, WiFi, or a USB transfer cable to link to devices together.

Does anyone know what version of the Prolific PL2303 is used? Prolific's website says that the PL2303HXA is not supported under Windows 8. Thanks!

One I have is a 2303HX. Bus 001 Device 009: ID 067b:2303 Prolific Technology, Inc. PL2303 Serial PortWorks fine on Linux

Does this basically do what the more expensive FTDI board does, so you can program Arduinos w/o USB capabilities, or is it for other purposes?

This is a TTL Level Serial Interface:You get GND, TX, RX, 5V and 3.3V - the essentials that you need.Yes, you can do some forms of serial programming, but this is not a 6 Pin Programmer.For many new SOC projects the 5V Serial works very well. NOTE: RS-232 is more than 5V and need + and - voltages.But MANY RS-232 devices will need a "Level Shifter" for RS-232 levels for proper operation.

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Q: Can we connect this to a laptop usb and directly use it to communicate between 2 laptops?

Yes you could use this to communicate between two laptops if you had two of these USB to TTL serial adapters connected together. These USB to TTL serial devices are actually designed for connecting to Raspberry Pi's or Arduino's TTL debug serial ports.For transfer between two laptops it would be better to use Ethernet, WiFi, or a USB transfer cable to link to devices together.

Q: Does anyone know what version of the Prolific PL2303 is used? Prolific's website says that the PL2303HXA is not supported under Windows 8. Thanks!

One I have is a 2303HX. Bus 001 Device 009: ID 067b:2303 Prolific Technology, Inc. PL2303 Serial PortWorks fine on Linux

Q: Does this basically do what the more expensive FTDI board does, so you can program Arduinos w/o USB capabilities, or is it for other purposes?

This is a TTL Level Serial Interface:You get GND, TX, RX, 5V and 3.3V - the essentials that you need.Yes, you can do some forms of serial programming, but this is not a 6 Pin Programmer.For many new SOC projects the 5V Serial works very well. NOTE: RS-232 is more than 5V and need + and - voltages.But MANY RS-232 devices will need a "Level Shifter" for RS-232 levels for proper operation.

PL2303 USB to Serial (TTL) Module/Adapter with Female and Male Wiring Harnesses & Test Jumper. Compatible with Windows 98 through Windows 7; Mac OS 8 through OS X, Linux and Android!

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