Linksys USB100TX Ethernet Adapter
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Features
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The
unit
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- Size: 2.5"
x 2.2" x .8"
- Weight: 3.7
oz
- Ports: USB
Type-B Port, 10BaseT RJ-45 Ethernet Port
- LED activity
lights for Link and TX/RX
- OS: Windows
98
- Plug and Play
compatible
- 32 K memory
buffer
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When Linksys provided
the BFSR41
switched router for review they were kind enough to send along their 10/100
USB ethernet adapter. When I reviewed the 10 Mbps USB ethernet adapter from
Linksys one of my complaints with it was that its true speed was 8 Mbps. Obviously
more speed is necessary, and the new USB100TX adapter fixes a couple of problems
that cropped up with the 10 Mbps adapter. One fundamental problem springs
up when using an ordinary hub network. The slowest ethernet adapter connected
to it determines your hub speed. In other words, if you have several 10/100
cards networked to a 10/100 hub, then attaching a 10 Mbps ethernet adapter
such as the USB adapter I reviewed earlier will knock the whole network down
to 10 Mbps. Obviously anyone with a 10/100 network will want to run a 10/100-ethernet
adapter, and that was the critical area where the previous adapter fell short.
First Impressions:
Let me outline a couple
of things about my network before I move on. I am hooked up to a cable modem.
Most cable modems work somewhere between 4 and 6 Mbps, so a 10 Mbps adapter
is good for basic work. I needed more speed because I was looking for the
ability to move large files between my computers quickly. While both of my
desktops have 10/100 cards, when I hooked up the old 10 Mbps USB ethernet
adapter it knocked my whole network down to 10 Mbps. This was definitely not
good for speed. When Linksys sent the USB100TX adapter that solved my major
problem. Coincidentally, the BEFSR41 router they sent at the same time solved
the problem too since it allowed me to have a mix of ethernet adaters running
at diferent speeds.
One of my biggest gripes
about Linksys has been the tiny manuals that they ship with their products.
The router was the first unit from them that I reviewed that did not come
this way. Imagine my surprise when under the warranty card and other documents
in the box I found a full size 20-page manual! To people who have experience
with networking components it may seem like a manual is little to quibble
about, but let me assure you that I get a ton of networking related e-mail
every time I post a review on a networking product. That tells me that manufacturers
have not been doing a good job with the documentation that they provide. The
directions with this unit are easy to follow and cover all the steps necessary
to get you up and running. Included in this manual is a concise trouble shooting
area.
The unit comes with its
setup floppy, the adapter, the manual, and a USB cable. The USB cable is about
four feet long so you should have no problems with it. Again, the ethernet
cable is missing. I'm sure most of you will agree that any networking component
should come with a length of ethernet cable.
