USBIP support might be worthwhile

http://usbip.sourceforge.net/

It looks like it just relays all the USB data over IP and recreates it locally and even works for webcams and printers.

I’m not sure how well it work work over a wan but if the connections were fast enough it might be good for testing less common USB hardware like wifi (USB wifi doesn’t seem to care how slow you run it as even 1.0 USB ports work with mine) and cameras and other hardware.

In any case it would be a very nice feature to have in Haiku.

Perhaps this would make a good GSoC project?

Me and my colleague tested similar software using the OBD-II cable with BMW car. It worked only over the local ethernet. I guess it depends on device and device driver - how are they going to react for the delays. General hardware such as webcams probably doesn’t care most of the time.