# What is SharePort Utility?

This page explains the overview of SharePort Utility.

SharePort Utility allows you to connect your PC to a USB device that is connected to a device server.
Use SharePort Utility when you connect/disconnect to/from the USB device.

Features

- Easy to Use
  You only have to select the USB device in SharePort Utility and click the Connect button .
  The USB device will be available to your PC as if it was directly connected to your PC. When finished using the USB device, click the Disconnect button in SharePort Utility.

  -> | For details on how to use SharePort Utility, refer to Basic Usage.

- Printer Auto Connection
  When you print to a USB printer, SharePort Utility will automatically connect your PC to the printer. When the print job is complete, SharePort Utility will disconnect your PC from the USB printer. Thus, you will not have to manually connect/disconnect to/from the USB printer using SharePort Utility.
  You can configure this setting at the message which pops up from SharePort Utility when a new printer is found on your network, or from the properties dialog accessible from SharePort Utility.

  -> | For details on printer auto connection, refer to How to Use a Printer.

- Share a Network Storage Device among Multiple Users
  If a storage device is connected to a device server supporting network storage sharing, you can easily map a network drive to it using SharePort Utility and share its files with other people.

  -> | For details on how to use a network storage device, refer to How to Use a Network Storage Device.

- Allows Control from the Task tray
  The minimized menu window in the task tray will allow you to connect/disconnect to/from USB devices without displaying SharePort Utility's main window.

  -> | For details on how to control from the task tray, refer to SharePort Utility and the Task Tray.

- Send a Remote Message to Another User to Request for Disconnect
  When you are sharing a USB device with several users and one of them occupies the USB device for a long time, you can request to the user to disconnect the device by sending a remote message. If the user accepts the disconnect request, the right of use is automatically passed down to you, so that you can use the USB device.

  -> | For details on the disconnect request message, refer to How to Request for Disconnect.

- Operating Settings for Each USB Device
  The operational settings such as Start designated application when connected or Automatically connect this device when it is available (Sharing disabled) can be configured for each USB device.

  -> | For details on the operation settings for each USB device, refer to USB Device Operational Settings.

> Please refer to SharePort Utility Optional Settings for startup condition and display settings.

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