USB to ethernet networking

Thanks to the USB Host mode it's possible to setup and utilize a wired network connection for those times when you want to use your IT but don't have access to wifi (or there just isn't any wifi around to use). A good example of this type of scenario is in hotel rooms while traveling around; most have wired high speed connections in the rooms but don't offer any kind of wifi connectivity. Although it's possible to carry around a small wifi router, it can be a bit more cost effective and convenient to connect the tablet to the wired connection directly.

In order to do this you need to make sure that you have USB Host mode up and working properly (whether via cable or software switch; see the HOWTO: USB Host mode on the N800 using OS 2008 entry for details). OS 2008 natively supports USB adapters based upon the RTL8150 chipset such as the Linksys USB100M; however it's possible to find other devices that are supported by custom compiled modules.

If you're looking for a "ready to go" solution simply pick up a supported USB100M along with your USB OTG adapter from here.

Once you've got some compatible hardware ready to go, the easiest step is to next install the USB LAN Package. Simply open the following link on the tablet's web browser to install the package into the Application Manager: [1] The USB LAN Package has been updated to overcome the OTG removal problem. You can get a copy of the updated package to install into the Application Manager[2]. The updated version of the package utilizes the dbus-scripts package, which can also be easily installed by following this link[3] on your tablet.

The USB LAN Package has been updated to support the latest version of Diablo as of 08/21/08; if you're having problems make sure that you have version 0.4.6 installed.

The package will setup a few scripts and install all of the additional USB LAN drivers that are available for the OS:

  • catc.ko
  • dm9601.ko
  • kaweth.ko
  • mcs7830.ko
  • pegasus.ko
  • rt73.ko (Added in 0.4.6 for external USB Wifi adapters)

(Anyone who knows other commonly supported and tested working devices using these drivers, please add them to the end of this entry).

Contents

Step by Step

  1. Install Dbus-scripts by clicking here
  2. Install USB LAN Package by clicking here

Once the packages are installed any RTL8150 device will operate as follows:

  1. Connect USB device to LAN cabling.
  2. Connect USB device to ITT.
  3. Wait for USB messages to popup ("USB Device Not Supported", "No Filesystem Found").
  4. Launch your web browser or whatever application you want to use.
  5. The "choose connection" dialog box should appear; select "WIRED" from the list. (If you don't have any bluetooth connections and there isn't any wifi around it will be the only one on the list).As of Version 0.4.6 this step is no longer needed; as soon as you connect the adapter the "WIRED" connection will automatically be selected.
  6. Surf and enjoy.

For devices other than those based on the RTL8150 you'll manually need to call "usbEthUp.sh" after you connect your device, and "usbEthDown.sh" after you remove it to get the network settings in place. These scrips can be found at /usr/sbin

When you're done with your wired connection simply unplug the network adapter from the USB host cable (this lets the tablet recognize that the adapter has been unplugged), then disconnect your host cable from the tablet (and manually set it out of host mode if required). Also, don't forget to choose "Disconnect" from the connection window (click on the little wifi icon), or your tablet will try to stay connected to "WIRED" until you restart or manually force a new connection.

Performance

Do not expect a wired connection to help you gain faster transfer speeds. In testing I've found that the CPU on the tablet maxes out at approximate 5-7 Mbps, well beneath the threshold of Wired networks or USB connectivity. (Can others support to debunk this?)

This is also an important consideration regarding the type of network adapter you select to use. The Linksys USB100M for example is only listed as USB 1.1, not 2.0, but still functions above the maximum sustainable speed of the tablet. Conversely, while the 2.0 version of the same device should work, it required additional drivers and actually requests more power than the USB OTG chip in the Tablet is willing to provide, so you'd end up needing an externally powered USB hub to use it. Thus while the USB 2.0 adapter might seem better, in actually for the ITs it's a worse choice.

(Information about setting up static IPs/etc coming in the near future).

Tested Devices

How to test:

1. Make sure you have the latest driver and scripts installed as noted above. You will also need becomeroot installed
2. Open xterm on your internet tablet
3. Connect your usb adapters (including OTG adapter if you are using that product)
4. Connect your usb ethernet device
5. You will see error messages that can be ignored
6. Type sudo becomeroot into xterm and press Enter
7. Type /usr/sbin/usbEthUp.sh into xterm and press Enter
8. Note messages. A successful connection will be indicated by an acquired IP address (Lease xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx obtained, where xxx. represents parts of an IP address)
9. Type dmesg into xterm and press Enter
10. Scroll up through messages until you discover text describing the ethernet adapter, containing codes prefixed by v (vendor code) and p (product code). The characters following v and p will be entered into the appropriate fields as shown below
11. Any unknown information should be added after the corresponding field as Unknown

The following usb ethernet devices have been tested with this solution:

Model: Crystal Blue USB to Ethernet 10/100 LAN Adapter
Ethernet chipset: Davicom DM9601 USB Ethernet http://www.davicom.com.tw/page1.aspx?no=143762
Vendor ID: 0a46
Product ID: 9601
External power required: No
Functionality: Success is sporadic with these; they are technically okay, but lacking in reliability. Out of 4 tested by me, 2 worked
Cost: Low to very low
Status: Not recommended
Notes: This adapter is seen all over ebay, usually in translucent blue but variants are also found in clear, white and black. FYI, a freebsd patch to get it to work on that OS is posted at http://readlist.com/lists/freebsd.org/freebsd-current/10/52177.html
Tested by: Texrat

Model: SMC EZ Connect USB 2202USB/ETH
Ethernet chipset: ADMtek ADM8511
Vendor ID: 0707
Product ID: 0200
External power required: No
Functionality: Works very well, very quick internet access
Cost: Moderate to low
Status: Highly recommended
Notes: Adapter did not work with earlier releases of tablet driver. Uses detachable usb pigtail
Tested by: Texrat

Model: Targus ACP50 universal notebook hub (various ports; US and European versions available)
Ethernet chipset: ADMtek 8515
Vendor ID: 0451 (hub)
Product ID: 2036 (hub)
Vendor ID: 07a6 (ethernet)
Product ID: 8515 (ethernet)
External power required: Yes
Functionality: Works well, very stable
Cost: High to moderately high
Status: Recommended
Notes: Hub loses ethernet and usb functionality if it is simultaneously used as USB charging solution for tablet
Tested by: Texrat

Model: Trendnet TU-ET100C
Ethernet chipset: ADMtek ADM8511 "Pegasus II"
Vendor ID: 07a6
Product ID: 8511
External power required: No
Functionality: Works well, very stable
Cost: US$15-25 as of October 2008
Status: Recommended
Notes: Non-detachable tail, approximately 3 feet long. Only one light. Addendum by Texrat: noted by one tester as drawing an unusually high amount of current ("more than N810's 192 mA limit"). See http://internettablettalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=242053&postcount=88
Tested by: SKarp

Model: Netgear EA101 USB Ethernet
Ethernet chipset: Kawasaki LSI KL5KLUSB101B
Vendor ID: 0846
Product ID: 1001
External power required: No
Functionality: Works well, quick internet access
Cost: Moderate to low
Status: Recommended
Notes: Form factor is a bit bulky, but it has indicator lights for power, link/activity and packet collisions. Uses detachable usb pigtail. Other adapters that use this chipset are the LinkSys USB10T, the 3Com 3c19250, the ADS Technologies USB-10BT, the Peracom USB Ethernet Adapter, the Entrega NET-USB-E45 and NET-HUB-3U1E, the ATen UC10T, the D-Link DSB-650, Corega USB-T and the SMC 2102USB and 2104USB (from http://www.mavetju.org/mail/view_message.php?list=freebsd-doc&id=1493000)
Tested by: Texrat

Model: DIGITUS 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet USB adapter DN-3015
Ethernet chipset: RTL8150 Fast Ethernet Adapter
Vendor ID: 0x0bda Realtek Semiconductor Corp
Product ID: 0x8150 RTL8150 Fast Ethernet Adapter
External power required: No
Functionality: Works well
Cost: EUR 13.- (Feb. 2009)
Status: Recommended
Tested by: walto

Wishlist

  • automatic detection and activation of all devices passing functionality test (i.e., plug and play)
  • advanced control panel configuration (helpful for static IP, etc)
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