Ethernet NICs w/ USB host attach?

Ben Scott dragonhawk at gmail.com
Tue Feb 3 18:36:57 EST 2009


Based on Jarod Wilson's information, I purchased one of the following:

Mfg: StarTech
Mfg P/N: USB2105S
Chipset: Moschip 7830
Linux driver: mcs7830
Supplier: CDW
Supplier P/N: 1288904
Cost: $12.99 + S/H/tax

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=1288904

  It works pretty well for the price.  It has three LEDs in the clear
plastic case: Green link, red power (USB), yellow speed (lights for
100 megabit; dark for 10).  One spot on the case gets very warm, but I
think that's just the chipset.

  Ubuntu 8.10 recognized it and did DHCP with no prompting.  Windows
XP SP2 did not include drivers "in the box", but Microsoft's Windows
Update mechanism found a WHQL certified driver (using another network
interface).  The mfg also included a driver disc with files for Linux,
MS Windows 32/64 XP/Vista, and Mac OS.

  With USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (480 Mbit/sec), it copied a large file over
LAN at around 83 Mbit/sec throughput.  The built-in gigabit interface
in the laptop only made around twice that.

  In an old laptop with only USB 1.1 (12 Mbit/sec max), I found it
couldn't keep up with high-rate, large-payload ping traffic, and
started dropping packets.  Whether this is because of the USB speed
limitation, or the laptop's overall CPU and I/O limitations, I have no
idea.  It seems to do okay for basic downloads, web, etc.

-- Ben


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