I’m looking at getting a ultra-small form factor PC to use as a straightforward IPFire box - red & green interfaces only. The PC I’m considering has only one wired network interface, and no possibility of adding an expansion card to provide the second interface, so I was looking at buying a USB (2.0) to RJ45 network adapter. I’d rather not buy an adapter only to find it won’t play nicely with IPFire; is there a compatibility list where I could check the suitability of possible candidates, please?
Your general plan for ultra-small form factor PC is sound.
I’ve tried about 5 USB-Ethernet adapters with IPFire and all work, but it is generally impossible to ascertain that prior to purchase. Some vendors might indicate the critical factor, which is the Ethernet chip used.
If you are planning to connect it to a modem/router having gigabit ports, then a slightly more expensive USB3-Gb adapter is less likely to incur packet loss.
Hi @rodneyp
Thank you for the quick reply, and your reassurance about using a USB to wired LAN adapter. So far as I know, my Vodafone modem/router doesn’t support gigabit ethernet, and in any case the USSF PC which I’m thinking of buying doesn’t have USB3.0 ports (it’s a second-hand/refurbished one from Morgan Computers), so I’ll trawl through the USB2-0 - RJ45 adapters.
Best regards
Ian
A little more research revealed that the Startech adapter (just over £15 from Amazon) uses the ASIX AX88772 chipset, which the compatibility list at the link from @jon shows is supported, so I’ve ordered one! Thanks both