USB network adapter, and what I wanted to use it for.

My regular readers know that I work with video surveillance systems. Since everyone is now switching to IP camera systems, a TV alone is no longer enough to configure them. I thought it would be convenient to set up these cameras using a tablet, but tablets usually don't have a port for connecting a standard Ethernet cable.
I thought I could solve this problem with a microUSB-to-LAN adapter. And I would have, if everything had gone as smoothly as I hoped.
More after the jump.

This will be a very short review, since the device itself is very simple, and the result of my experiment wasn't what I originally planned.


The package consists of the adapter and a driver disc. No instructions, warranty cards, or other paperwork are included.


There are two identical stickers on the sides, and they don't provide any useful information either.
The manufacturer of this adapter chose to remain anonymous. Too bad—I had a few things to say to them.


The cable is short, about 12 cm, and thiiiiin :) But that might actually be a plus: better for the cable to snap than for it to break the port off the tablet.


No complaints about the connectors. I realize they're probably among the cheapest available, but they hold securely.


The adapter is extremely easy to open. I slipped a knife between the two halves of the case and pried them apart.
That revealed the first flaw. The cable has a basic anti-rotation feature, but it doesn't hold very well, and you can twist the cable if you try. I hope I don't need to explain the consequences :(


The board is neatly soldered; it's clear it was machine-soldered and cleaned. The same can't be said for the wire soldering. The chip's markings have been carefully erased—or perhaps were never printed in the first place. Wouldn't surprise me.
As the saying goes—
Your kids are lovely, but everything you do with your hands… :)
You can also see an LED on the right; it shines through the case when the adapter is operating.
There's no isolation transformer at all. That might be acceptable with a standalone device, but otherwise this cost-cutting could destroy the adapter (best case), the tablet's USB port (not so bad), or the entire tablet (worst case).


On the back, there are flux residue and signs of hand soldering, and that's about it…


I plugged the adapter into the tablet and it worked right away. I didn't even get the usual new hardware notification; I just plugged it in, and the network adapter appeared. Tested on Windows 8.1. I thought about trying it on Android, but changed my mind—I'll explain why below.
The hardware ID and MAC address didn't give me any useful information about the chip either.


After all those inspections, I naturally moved on to testing it.
The adapter connected at 100 Mbps, just as advertised, but that was where the good news ended.


First, I decided to test downloading files from my home mini-server.
I got a laughable speed of 700 KB/s, which works out to about 5.6 Mbps before transmission overhead.
I tried downloading the same file from my main PC: 8 MB/s. Then I tried downloading it to the tablet from the main PC, but with the two connected directly, point to point. Same 700 KB/s. Awful.


As a final check, I decided to run a speed test. The results in the screenshot speak for themselves. My internet connection is over 50 Mbps, so the network adapter was clearly limiting the speed.
Only after that (I should have done it first) did I look up other reviews of similar devices and find out that, yes, the adapter connects at 100 Mbps, but it has a USB 1.1 interface and the corresponding data transfer speed.


But I'm a pretty persistent person, so I decided to try doing what I bought this adapter for after all.
I got a tablet, a 12 V PowerBank, a new IP video camera (I picked it up from the post office just yesterday), and the adapter under review, and hooked everything up.
It “took off,” but very, very low.
I had to reduce the camera's stream bitrate to 2048 Kbps, but even then it was a pretty sad experience. Everything worked and displayed properly, and I could even configure it, but you need nerves of steel to use it this way: at full resolution, there were several-second delays. It was a bit better at FullHD and quite usable, but the lag was still very noticeable.
Honestly, I feel sorry for my nerves, so now I'm trying to think of something useful to do with this board in my home projects. So far, all I can think of is the LED and crystal. Maybe the case and USB cable too.
I didn't test it on Android because the specs are so disappointing. If anyone's interested, I can give it a try, but without much enthusiasm this time :(


So, here's the verdict.
Pros (I'm surprised there are so many)
Neat, compact case
The board is made pretty well.
Driver disc included
The adapter didn't need any drivers installed; it worked right away.
It even works.

Cons.
100 Mbps connection speed, but actual data transfer speed is only about 6 Mbps.
No isolation transformer
Cable is poorly secured in the case
Very thin cable.

My take.
If you like reminiscing about the days when networks were built with coaxial cable and meditating as you watch the download progress bar crawl along, this adapter is for you. It won't disappoint. In all other cases, you'd better have nerves of steel.
Taking all the pros and cons into account, I can say that a solution like this can sometimes come in handy when there's absolutely no other option, but it's better to look for something faster.
It's a shame tablets don't come with standard Ethernet ports, at least on some models—even just one or two. There's nothing complicated about adding one, and it wouldn't raise the price much either.

I did test it on Android after all. It works great on the Cube U9GT4 tablet (given the low speed).

I don't think this review will be particularly useful, but maybe someone will find it helpful.
And my question is still unanswered, so I'll keep looking.