is it possible to export a filesystem as a usb device?
 

I just picked up a satellite receiver that lets you plug in a usb external hard drive for pvr functionality. What I would like to do is be able to do is have my pc next to the tv "act" as a usb device and have a filesystem on that box be accessible on the pvr.

So basically the linux box would act as a giant usb drive.

Anyone ever tried anything like that?

zen0n

Well that didn't come up on my initial search, but it looks like the original poster is trying to get to the same functionality as I am.

The usbnet module looks great for setting up usb connections between 2 machines. But what I need is to be able to have the "server" export the filesystem in such a way that the "client" system thinks it's actually an external usb enclosure, not a IP-over-usb connection.

zen0n

If you really want your PC to act as a usb device, it needs a hardware adapter. The USB host and USB client hardware are different. You can buy a PCI card USB device controller (not host controller!). It will have an external USB-B port, so it can connect as a client to your pvr.

As for programming your controller to act like a portable storage device, I can't really help.

superjer, thank you for highlighting the distinction between the two personality modes in the USB world. Using your reply, I was able to Google search 'PCI card USB "device controller"', and came up with the link http://www.linux-usb.org/gadget/, which explains in some detail what is required to accomplish the original poster's goal.
I find this whole idea quite intriguing, personally.
--- rod.