Ethernet Converter to USB: Two Directions, Two Different Products
The phrase Ethernet to USB describes two completely different jobs. One puts a network port on a computer. The other puts a USB device on a network so several computers can reach it. Buying the wrong one solves nothing.
Quick Answer
If you want a computer to join a wired network, buy a USB to Ethernet adapter, which is a network interface in a dongle. If you want a USB device such as a printer, drive or instrument to be reachable over the LAN, buy a USB device server or print server instead. The two are not interchangeable.
Direction One: Computer to Network
What it is
A USB network adapter. The computer is the host, the adapter provides the physical network interface, and the operating system sees a normal NIC.
Requirements
A USB 3.0 or higher port for gigabit, driver support, and a patch cable to the wall or switch.
Typical limits
Bus limited as described below, and no Wake on LAN on most models.
Direction Two: Device to Network
What it is
A USB device server. It presents a USB peripheral over the network so that a computer can use it remotely, or so several computers can share it with arbitration.
Requirements
A network connection, power for the device server, and client software or a supported protocol on each computer.
Typical limits
Latency makes it unsuitable for isochronous devices such as audio interfaces. Storage and printers work well; real-time hardware does not.
Comparison
| Attribute | USB network adapter | USB device server |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Give a computer a network port | Put a USB device on the network |
| Host side | USB port on the computer | Ethernet port |
| Device side | RJ45 socket | USB ports |
| Sharing | One computer | Multiple computers, arbitrated |
| Speed | Up to 940 Mbps or more | Limited by USB device and network latency |
| Typical cost | Low | Mid to high |
Real-World Applications
- Adding a wired port to a dockless laptop: USB network adapter.
- Sharing a bench instrument across two workstations: USB device server.
- Putting a label printer on the office LAN when it has only a USB port: print server or device server.
- Remote access to a USB licence dongle: device server with port mapping.
Choosing Correctly
- Decide which end is the host: the computer or the network.
- If the computer is the host, you need a network adapter.
- If the device must be shared, you need a device server.
- Check driver support on both ends before buying.
- Avoid device servers for audio, video capture or anything time critical.
Related Guides
For the adapter route, read USB to Ethernet and USB to network adapter. For a device that needs both a network port and extra USB ports, start with USB converter Ethernet.
FAQ
Can I convert Ethernet to USB without a computer?
Not in a useful way. A USB device server contains a small computer to manage the conversion and serve the device over the network.
Is a USB device server as fast as a direct connection?
No. Latency is higher and throughput is limited by the network and the server CPU. For storage it is adequate; for real-time devices it is not.
Which product do I need for a printer with only a USB port?
A print server or USB device server. A USB network adapter would give the printer a network port it cannot use.
Can one USB device server share a drive between two computers?
Yes, with arbitration so only one computer holds the device at a time, or with a network share if the server supports file level access.