Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Connecting Android tab to ethernet and power

  • 08-07-2019 11:59AM
    #1
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    Hey,

    I'm looking at installing a series of wall mounted Android tablets in work, in order to facilitate data entry.
    This workplace, residential care, does not have wifi so, as a result, I am looking at the Samsung 10.1" tab.
    But this device only has one USB C port, so I cannot charge and connect to an Ethernet to USB dongle at the same time.

    An OTG adaptor might work, but I can find no confirmation that this will work.

    Any advice out there?

    The alternate was a much more expensive Surface Go device which I will know will work but costs three times as much, a lot for a robust machine that will only be accessing a web app.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    banie01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,508 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    It would be a much cheaper solution and far neater too, to install a WiFi network with repeaters at the Cat 6 points than it would be to go with either of the solutions you are considering.

    Is there an operational reason for no WiFi?
    It just currently no infrastructure?


  • #3
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Due the nature of the location WiFi is not available, so any connections have to be hardwired.


  • #4
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Oddly enough, there is infrastructure, but we aren't allowed use it...
    When I asked I was told, don't ask


  • #5
    banie01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,508 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    Oddly enough, there is infrastructure, but we aren't allowed use it...
    When I asked I was told, don't ask

    I feel your pain ;)
    There could be a concern about WiFi interference with medical monitoring equipment perhaps?
    A fairly baseless concern if the equipment is at least FCC certified these days IMO.

    It is a restriction that could turn a fairly straightforward spec and install of some WiFi Tabs, to a massively overpriced and overspecced job tho.

    I'd try and see if I could source at least a USB OTG that would pass POE as it may keep the dongle required to a simple one.

    If not then a USB splitter with power and USB->NIC connected to each side?
    Don't know if the HID interface on the Samsung tablet would pick up both tho?

    Are 4G enabled tabs and a cheap data plan an option?


  • #6
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,934 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    But this device only has one USB C port, so I cannot charge and connect to an Ethernet to USB dongle at the same time.

    Will an Android tablet suport network connectivity through the USB-C port?

    Assuming it will, what you need is a USB-C adapter with passthrough power and a network port, then you wouldn't need an Ethernet USB dongle. This Anker device is what you need, gives you 2 x USB & 1 X Gbe Ethernet ports.

    https://www.anker.com/uk/products/variant/premium-usbc-hub-with-ethernet-and-power-delivery/A8302041


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    coylemj wrote: »
    Will an Android tablet suport network connectivity through the USB-C port?

    Assuming it will, what you need is a USB-C adapter with passthrough power and a network port, then you wouldn't need an Ethernet USB dongle. This Anker device is what you need, gives you 2 x USB & 1 X Gbe Ethernet ports.

    https://www.anker.com/uk/products/variant/premium-usbc-hub-with-ethernet-and-power-delivery/A8302041

    Yeah, I was thinking of something like that alright.
    I just need some sort of confirmation that it would definitely work before I order 22 of them, along with the tablets!


  • #8
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,934 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    CiDeRmAn wrote: »
    Yeah, I was thinking of something like that alright.
    I just need some sort of confirmation that it would definitely work before I order 22 of them, along with the tablets!

    I don't think it will.The Anker website says that adapter supports Windows, Mac OS and Linux.


  • #9
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    Two choices now, apparently
    Might be some movement on the provision of a WiFi environment, which is big.
    And if not, the Surface Go will probably do the trick.


  • #10
    banie01
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,508 ✭✭✭✭banie01


    I'm gonna cross my fingers for WiFi!
    Because if memory serves the Surface Go ships with windows RT and noone needs that kinda stress in their life ;)


  • #11
    CiDeRmAn
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 34,811 CMod ✭✭✭✭CiDeRmAn


    banie01 wrote: »
    I'm gonna cross my fingers for WiFi!
    Because if memory serves the Surface Go ships with windows RT and noone needs that kinda stress in their life ;)

    I know, some idiot replaced our crappy tablets with Surface Pro crappy tablets, when a stupid simple Android tab would have done the trick.
    More money than sense


  • Advertisement
Advertisement