Ethernet
Pinned Featured Implemented
Since the 2nd generation machines include USB ports, why not add the drivers to allow use of other external services. For example, a USB Ethernet *RJ45) adapter. Where available, wired Ethernet adds an extra measure of reliability (less complexity = greater reliability).
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Official comment
With the upcoming beta (version > .920) using usb to ethernet adapters works but this is *officially unsupported*.
Most of the USB 2.0 adapters should work, especially those who market compatibility with Windows XP without installing any drivers. For a short list see the end of this post.
To use ethernet just plug the usb to ethernet adapter in the spare USB port *without* physically removing the WIFI adapter. You can use the Settings >System > WIFI to disable the WIFI from the software. After reboot the ethernet should be working.
Known issues:
1. The ethernet only works with DHCP there is no easy way to configure static IP.
2. WIFI stick needs to be left inserted in the USB port.
3. On device Network Tools output doesn't work for ethernet
4. Can't start updates from device. Updates can be started from mobile/web applications
5. On certain cases the device might not appear on local discovery from mobile apps. To workaround, you can use Direct Access from Network Settings (from mobile apps Devices screen) to specify <device IP:8080>.
Adapters listed as compatible (some adapters might have newer versions that might not work):
Linksys USB200M
Netgear FA120
DLink DUB-E100
Intellinet, ST Lab USB Ethernet
Hawking UF200, TrendNet TU2-ET100
Billionton Systems, USB2AR
ATEN UC210T
Buffalo LUA-U2-KTX
Buffalo LUA-U2-GT 10/100/1000
Sitecom LN-029 "USB 2.0 10/100 Ethernet adapter"
corega FEther USB2-TX
Surecom EP-1427X-2
goodway corp usb gwusb2e
JVC MP-PRX1 Port Replicator
ASIX AX88772B 10/100
ASIX AX88772 10/100
ASIX AX88178 10/100/1000
Logitec LAN-GTJ/U2A
Linksys USB200M Rev 2
0Q0 cable ethernet
DLink DUB-E100 H/W Ver B1
DLink DUB-E100 H/W Ver B1 Alternate
Linksys USB1000
IO-DATA ETG-US2
Belkin F5D5055
Apple USB Ethernet Adapter
Cables-to-Go USB Ethernet Adapter
ABOCOM for pci
ASIX 88772a
Asus USB Ethernet Adapter
TechRise Ethernet Adapter, USB 2.0 to RJ45 Fast Ethernet LAN Network AdapterIf you find other working adapters let us know so we can add it to this list.
Link the the beta changes: https://support.rainmachine.com/hc/en-us/articles/230333608
Comment actions -
The drivers for USB-Ethernet exist but Android doesn't actually support ethernet so there is not easy way to configure.
There are ways of configuring the ethernet by logging in with ssh and using netcfg command but it's not something end users would do.
We know that at least Apple USB Ethernet adapter works in this way.
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To do Ethernet over Powerline, you first need to have an Ethernet port. Ethernet over Powerline typically just involves running a patch cable from the Ethernet port to an Ethernet over Powerline bridge (something like this: http://www.ca.netgear.com/home/products/networking/powerline/PL1200.aspx)
Lots of things are possible once you have an Ethernet jack (such as using a Ethernet to WiFi bridge), but very little is possible when WiFi is your only option.
One of my biggest gripes about WiFi-only devices (even setting aside the reliability issue) is that WiFi standards evolve and are deprecated much more quickly than Ethernet. I could plug an Ethernet device from 25 years ago into a modern Ethernet switch and it'd still work perfectly, without slowing down the rest of the clients.
The same can't be said of WiFi, when the user upgrades their AP, etc. Enabling compatibility modes slow down the WiFi for all clients, not just older devices. And if your device doesn't support the latest version of WEP/WPA, then you're forced to either downgrade the security on your WiFi just so that one device can connect to it, or you have to spin up another SSID or AP just for that device.
In short, IMHO every home automation device (that speaks IP) should have an Ethernet port. If you want add WiFi on top of that, go for it.
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I think we need to differentiate between having the rainmachine support a wired ethernet connection, and the transport layer used for that connection (I.e. EoP, 10-bast-T, 1000-base-T, etc. How you get the ethernet to your rain machine is an issue outside the development scope of the rainmachine developers.
Also, while it would be nice to have an actual RJ-45 connector onboard the rainmachine, that is not likely to happen anytime soon or at all. It would require a circuit board and case change that costs money and does not benefit many users.
But, Nicholas has already given us everything we need to know to get wired ethernet working right now on the HD models using a common USB to ethernet adapter.
Hopefully, someone will post a list of specific adapters known to work and configuration guide to enabling ethernet through the Android shell. If nobody has done so by the fall, when I will have time, I will do it.
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I don't particularly care if the Ethernet support is through a USB adapter or not, my biggest concern is making sure it's officially supported and hopefully configurable through something other than the Android shell. Not that I'm scared of the Android shell, but my priority is to get something robust and easy to use (ie. my wife could configure it if she had to).
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I'm gathering a list of adapters that work without any updates on HD-12/16, any help would be appreciated.
Theoretically the steps are:
1. Replace WIFI with USB Ethernet adapter (the other port can be used too along with WIFI adapter)
2. SSH to HD12/16 (https://support.rainmachine.com/hc/en-us/articles/228652648-How-to-SSH-on-Touch-HD-2nd-generation-devices)
3. Enter the following commands:
su -
netcfg eth0 dhcp
ip route del default
ip route add default via <gateway ip> dev eth0
Use netcfg and ip route show to list information about devices / routing. To preserve this settings after reboot you can add the above commands (except su -) to a startup script:vi /system/bin/rainmachine.sh
The commands should be added on top after the #!/system/bin/sh line.
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Nicholas, thanks a million.
Gary, I see your point about using the shell as a low WAF solution. But, you really only have to do it once. and if you use dhcp, as suggested above, any future changes can be made via a dhcp server. BTW, I can see how it would be simple to add the option to the GUI. But, I can also see the support nightmare from people who tried non-supported hardware.
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I had a slight change in strategy and now have a rainmachine touch hd16 at my location. So today I tried to set it up on Ethernet. I am using an Apple A1277 Ethernet adapter. The rain machine immediately recognizes the adapter. But, I then run into a problem trying to set it up for dhcp. The command "net eth0 dhcp" just hangs and I have to Ctrl-C to get out. This also failed when entered in rainmachine.sh. However, I was able to use...
ifconfig eth0 up 192.168.5.100 netmask 255.255.255.0
And that worked. Then after adding the default route, all was more or less well. Adding the ifconfig command into rain machine also worked. But, I'd still prefer to use dhcp. Any ideas what is going on?
I also ran into another issue. If I disable and remove the wifi adapter, the Ethernet interface is also disabled. This is not a huge problem. But, it would be nice to not have to use the WiFi adapter.
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I hit the same issue as Richard when doing the test again but I managed to get a dhcp IP by using:
dhcpcd -ABKL -dd eth0
When using this into the rainmachine script remove -B so it can enter background. I'll see if I can make a perfect setup pattern and check if we can integrate this for end users.
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I bought a Pix-Link LV-UE01 from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/PIX-LINK-Extender-300Mbps-Adapter-Repeater/dp/B01KQ3E88K/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1497556320&sr=8-7&keywords=PIX-LINK
I set it up as an AP with a static IP address, plugged it into my RainMachine Touch HD12, and it worked. I realize I am still using wireless for the Rainmachine to communicate with the Pix-Link, but this might be a solution for someone whose unit is far away from their wireless router. It also gives me a great wireless signal out in my garage.
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@Joe Rankin - Joe, is your Pix-Link solution still working and standing up to the heat of the garage? Is it reliable or do you get network drops? Any other problems?
m looking to buy the same device and run a cable like you did, and just want to make sure you're still happy with this solution.
Thanks!
-Jim Smith
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We've done the package with the drivers but we're on hold because the cloud remote access will reject Ethernet connections because of some protection scheme.
We want to solve this issue first before releasing this update so users can still benefit from remote access even if they use Ethernet.
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