The PL-2301 USB-to-USB Bridge Controller is a low-cost high-performance single chip solution that provides bi-directional connectivity between any standard USB compliant host systems. Unlike previous file transfer methods like serial cable, parallel cable and IrDA, the PL-2301 chip has a more advanced bus protocol and operation system that offers much higher bandwidth and easier user interface. The PL-2301 controller chip can be embedded into the link cable. Both sides of the cable function as an upstream connector that could join a USB network such as the USB port of a PC or the downstream port of a USB hub. Through switching and protocol adjustment in the controller chip, any two PCs or USB hosts can communicate with each other while adopting maximum speed for bulk-type data formats. In addition, data are allowed to flow in both directions simultaneously without compromising on performance. Both PCs can control the device using standard USB command; the data flow is directed by a vendor-specific scheme.