Question : Problem: Restart USB driver/device via software?

Hi, I've often wondered if it is possible to simulate the pulling and re-pluging in of a USB connected device through software alone. There are various versions of Windows that I've wanted to do this on over the years, with numerous devices.

Here's an example: We have a Win2K3 server powered by an APC rack mounted UPS. The UPS is connected to the server via a USB cable and the server runs APC PowerChute to monitor teh UPS status. Quite frequently the PowerChute states that it has "Lost Communications" with the UPS. To fix this I either have to reboot the server, or pull/push the UPS cable.
I would like to be able to do this over RDP instead of having to visit the Server Room, so if there was a way to switch the USB connection off/on it would be great.

Cheers! Ben

Answer : Problem: Restart USB driver/device via software?

Have you tried disabling and re-enabling the appropriate hardware using Device Manager?  This could easily be done via RDP, and I imagine it should work to reset the device.