Clever converter for keyboards and barcode readers

The MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet is a compact network device, capable of converting USB keyboard or USB barcode reader data to Ethernet packets. It taps onto a USB connection between the computer and USB device, captures the transmitted data frames, and sends them as UDP datagrams in a user configurable format.

The MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet is a variation of the tap version, which does not require a computer for the keyboard or barcode reader to work. It contains a built-in USB host, which polls the connected USB device for data, thus simplifying the setup and reducing the amount of cabling.

The MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard works in the opposite direction, simulating a USB keyboard from incoming UDP data over Ethernet. The source of the UDP data can be a MorphStick Keyboard 2 Ethernet, or data generated from a network device or computer.

MorphStick Keyboard 2 Ethernet

Features

    Two USB sockets and RJ-45 Ethernet socket

    Powered over USB or POE (option)

    Compact and portable design

    Highly configurable with simple PC-side application

    Supports national keyboard layouts

    Optional POE (Power-over-Ethernet) connector

    Optional built-in real time clock with battery

    Optional logging module with embedded SD card 

    Captures data from USB keyboard or USB barcode reader

    Taps onto existing USB communication without interfering with it

    Sends data over Ethernet as UDP datagrams, or locally over USB

    Can be paired with MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard 

    Acts as a USB host and actively polls a USB keyboard or barcode reader

    Sends data over Ethernet as UDP datagrams, or locally over USB

    Can be paired with MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard 

    Simulates a USB keyboard

    Receives data from UDP datagrams over Ethernet, or locally over USB

    Can be paired with MorphStick Keyboard 2 Ethernet 

Product family overview

MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard

Input USB keyboard or

USB barcode reader

(connected to computer) USB keyboard or

USB barcode reader Ethernet data stream or

USB data stream

Output Ethernet data stream Ethernet data stream or

USB data stream USB HID data stream

Power source USB (+5V)

Optional: POE (+12V)

Local flash storage Optional: 8GB built-in flash

Time-stamping Software (NTP or user set)

Optional: built-in RTC + battery

Dimensions 90mm x 35mm x 25mm

(3.5" x 1.3" x 1.0")

Pricing and availability

MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet

$143.99 / €125.99

MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet

Stock Europe (DE, PL): Available

Stock U.S. (Illinois): Ships from Europe

MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet

$143.99 / €125.99

MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet

Stock Europe (DE, PL): Available

Stock U.S. (Illinois): Ships from Europe

MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard

$143.99 / €125.99

MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard

Out of stock

Interested in B2B or wholesale? Check our B2B prices and wholesale prices.

How it works

MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet

MorphStick Keyboard Tap 2 Ethernet

Connect a USB keyboard or barcode reader on one end to the horizontal USB-A socket. Connect to the host computer using the vertical USB-A socket. Connect Ethernet to the RJ45 socket on the other end. After a simple configuration procedure, the Morphstick will capture all USB traffic without interfering with it, and transfer it over Ethernet to a chosen destination.

MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet

MorphStick Keyboard Host 2 Ethernet

Connect a USB keyboard or barcode reader on one end to the horizontal USB-A socket. Connect 5V DC power using the vertical USB-A socket (can be from any computer, using a standard USB cable). Connect Ethernet to the RJ45 socket on the other end. After a simple configuration procedure, the Morphstick will poll the connected device for data, and transfer it over Ethernet to a chosen destination.

MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard

MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard

The MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard is a powerful, yet simple to use data converter and logger. Connect the device to a computer using a standard USB cable and the vertical USB-A socket. Connect Ethernet to the RJ45 socket on the other end. After a simple configuration procedure, the Morphstick will simulate a USB keyboard, generating keystrokes from data received over Ethernet.

MS Tools

Highly configurable

All MorphStick devices feature a button, which switches them into configuration mode over USB. An free lightweight application is available, which guides through the configuration process. During configuration the basic network communication needs to be configured, such as the where to send the acquired data. It takes just a few minutes to get the basic data transfer running, however the flexibility of the device also allows setting up sophisticated communication schemes.

Keyboard tap vs keyboard host

Tap versus Host

MorphStick Keyboard 2 Ethernet comes in two varieties: Tap and Host. The Tap version works like a keylogger, capturing existing communication between the USB keyboard or barcode reader, and the computer. The Host version contains a built-in USB controller, which actively polls the keyboard or barcode reader for data. Both versions operate in the same way on the Ethernet side.

The bigger picture

Morphsticks are essentially building blocks of bigger communication systems. The data originating from MorphStick Keyboard 2 Ethernet can be sent to several destinations. One of them can be the MorphStick Ethernet 2 Keyboard, creating a transfer link over Ethernet for keyboards and barcode readers. Another destination can be a host computer, with dedicated software. A sample application is delivered, demonstrating this capability. Yet another option is a dedicated MorphStick device solely for the purpose of logging data from several sources.

POE, RTC, Flash memory

Optional features

Three device features are available on demand: POE (Power over Ethernet), 8GB internal flash memory, and an RTC (Real Time Clock). The POE option allows to power the device over the RJ45 socket, as an alternative to USB. The flash memory option adds 8GB internal memory for data logging purposes. And finally the RTC options adds time-stamps to the logged data. The set time and date is retained even when the device is powered off, thanks to an internal battery.