Local area network accessory for integrating USB connectivity in existing networks

The invention relates to local area networks including Ethernet networks which typically comprises a LAN hub, a plurality of outer hub devices connected to the LAN hub via a respective plurality of LAN links(passing through an Ethernet hub) and a plurality of USB devices and/or LAN computers connected to the plurality of outer hub devices via a respective plurality of USB links. The outer hub devices communicate with the USB devices and LAN computers using the USB protocol that has time sensitive aspects. To satisfy the requirements of the USB protocol, the outer hub devices perform the time sensitive aspects of the USB protocol. The outer hubs communicate with the LAN hub using an Ethernet protocol that permits the outer hub device to be further than 5 meters from the LAN hub. The Ethernet protocol is typically a variant of the USB protocol.