Internal USB connection

[DigitalVT]

Just wondering if there is any way to connect a USB license dongle internally in a Mac Pro. I remember desktop PC's had additional connections on the mobo for USB connections but I can't seem to find anything similar in the Mac Pro, I know they are different beasts. Just be nice to have the expensive licences tucked away out of reach of thieving hands when the machines are out on-site on a job!!

Thanks!!

 

[flatfoot]

There are no spare internal USB ports in the Mac Pro.

What you could do is block/rip out one of the USB ports and solder on a USB socket internally.

EDIT: ...or use a USB extension cable to route one of the external ports into the chassis through a PCI bracket, but I guess that wouldn't serve the purpose of protecting the dongle from being stolen.

 

[initialsBB]

Aren't there any internal USB PCIe cards ?

 

[flatfoot]

Aren't there any internal USB PCIe cards ?

Whoops, right. There should be.

Just look out for USB 2.0 cards with NEC chipsets. They usually work out of the box.

 

[DigitalVT]

Whoops, right. There should be.

Just look out for USB 2.0 cards with NEC chipsets. They usually work out of the box.

Thanks fella's! Will look into them, I saw the Sonnet PCie card that had 4 external and 1 internal. Bit expensive tho'!!

 

[flatfoot]

Thanks fella's! Will look into them, I saw the Sonnet PCie card that had 4 external and 1 internal. Bit expensive tho'!!

Exactly. They charge tremendous amounts of money for "Mac compatibility".
As I said, just go for a NEC chipset equipped card and you should be fine.