Ethernet to USB Adaptor

[bayswater]

I came across a Ethernet to USB-3 adaptor sold as a Mac accessory at a local PC parts store.

For those of us with older Macs that lack USB-3 or TB, I wonder if this would improve the overall disk performance.

For example, in my case I have one internal system drive, an external FW 800 chained with a 828-3, and a USB-2 external drive. Would this adaptor and a USB-3 drive be faster than the USB-2 drive? Would it make sense to put more than one USB-3 drive on an ethernet connection?

[mikehalloran]

Are you sure?

Lots of USB to Ethernet adapters on the market and USB 3 to Ethernet gets the fastest throughput. I've never heard of the reverse and a Google search couldn't locate one.

[bayswater]

The specific unit I saw has one ethernet port and three USB 3 ports, so I assumed it's Ethernet to USB, but maybe not. It might be a combo USB hub and Ethernet device. The store is in the neighbourhood, so I'll go have a look at it.

[mikehalloran]

The specific unit I saw has one ethernet port and three USB 3 ports, so I assumed it's Ethernet to USB, but maybe not. It might be a combo USB hub and Ethernet device. The store is in the neighbourhood, so I'll go have a look at it.

Yes, those are designed for the MacBook Pro and Air which no longer have Ethernet ports. Apple sells TB to Ethernet or USB 2 to Ethernet adapters that are much slower. USB 3 to Ethernet is almost as fast as an internal card. TB to e-net is just as fast, of course.

I recently bought my wife the new Air and got the TB to Ethernet adapter. This has the new wireless protocol that is slightly faster than gigabyte Ethernet so I bought the new Time Capsule that supports the new protocol. My son-in-law was a tester and gave me the heads up. He was right. - on my internal network, the new Air is faster over wireless. I transferred her files from her iMac in less time than a direct connection. Very impressive!

[bayswater]

There are reports that the Apple implementation of the new wireless standard is not working as fast as expected. Are you seeing something better?

[mikehalloran]

There are reports that the Apple implementation of the new wireless standard is not working as fast as expected. Are you seeing something better?

Absolutely.

I have mounted the Time Capsule up as high as I can - about 7 feet up in a house w/ 8' ceilings. I have wireless in my AT&T modem turned off and have no appliances or water heater etc between my wife's MacBook Air and the server so it is an ideal environment. It is wireless, after all - interference will slow it down.

I had a few days to set it up and play with it before I gave it to her last month. I took advantage of the time to transfer large files, do Time Machine backups and restores and compare the difference. In every instance, wireless was a little faster - not much but it worked as advertised. Gone is the flat shape of the Time Capsule. In its place is a tower with four antennae. I have no idea what the hard drive is as it is too small for a 3.5" frm factor. Pretty certain it's mechanical, however but mine is 3T.

Apple had been working on it for years. The design and testing group no longer exists - they figure they've gone as far as they are likely to go for a very long time. Everyone in the group has a new job in the company.

I do know that I will not be buying another Apple wireless device without the new protocol. I will wait on a new MacBook, iPad or iPhone until it is available. Till then, my old ones are fine.

[bayswater]

There are reports that the Apple implementation of the new wireless standard is not working as fast as expected. Are you seeing something better?

Absolutely.
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interference will slow it down.

Thanks for the details. Do you think it might be more subject to physical barriers than the older models? Apple says the theoretical maximum is 1.3Gbps. What are you seeing?

[mikehalloran]

No one sees the theoretical limit. I saw 110% instead of 125%. Still good.