LG Ultrafine 5k USB hub is picky on USB Ethernet Adapter

[maxb]

After posting to the Issue and Owner tread concerning the slow speeds I got with 2 different USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapters. I finally came with a conclusion, the bug is probably software related.

1. Using the adapters (any) directly connected to my MBP 15" any ports works perfectly.
2. When connected to the LG 5k monitor's hub, the two Realtek 0x8153 Based adapters (same as the Belkin one that will be available from Apple) I can't get more then 440mbps speeds.
3. When I use an older Startech USB1000S based on ASIX AX88179 with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, I get full speed from the LG 5k hub.
4. The Realtek drivers is built-in OSX
5. The ASIX drivers needs to be installed manually

Can anyone using the LG5k and a Realtek based ethernet adapter can confirm the behaviour.

thanks in advance

 

[maxb]

Update : the problem is driver related

The driver built-in OSX seams to be the problem

The driver found on Ankers website seams to make the adapter able to go full speed.

I should probably report the bug to Apple so they can fix it in next OS upgrade.

 

[triumph71]

What are you using to test the ethernet adapter speed?

 

[VirtualRain]

Thanks for this. I'm about to get my MBP and LG 5K any day and Ethernet is a key for me. What throughput are you now getting via Ethernet?

For testing, I usually test with a stop watch and large file transfer, but I'd love to hear of a more elegant way to test.

 

[maxb]

You can easily test your speed with BlackMagic disk test on a remote destination (NAS) or remote share on another Mac.

 

[VirtualRain]

You can easily test your speed with BlackMagic disk test on a remote destination (NAS) or remote share on another Mac.

Thanks. That was consistent with my stop watch results.

So what speeds are you getting? On my old 2013 MacBook with TB Ethernet Adapter I'm getting about 60MB/s or 480Mbps... what are you getting with yours?

 

[jimthing]

Update : the problem is driver related

The driver built-in OSX seams to be the problem

The driver found on Ankers website seams to make the adapter able to go full speed.

I should probably report the bug to Apple so they can fix it in next OS upgrade.

I downloaded the driver at that link for use with the white Belkin ethernet adapter Apple sell, BUT it caused my system to reboot repeatedly(!), until I used the included uninstall tool to remove it again.


These were the instructions on the installer package, which don't make it clear from #3 onwards:

---
This is the Mac OS X driver for Realtek 8152B/8153. The system will be rebooted after the driver is installed, so please close all the other applications before installing the driver. After the system is rebooted, please follow the following steps to configure the network:

1. Select the "System Preference" from the system menu.
2. Select and launch the "Network" item in the "System Preference" folder.
3. From the "Configure" list, select the adapter to be configured.
4. Configure the settings.
5. Click the "Save" button.

Then you can connect to the Ethernet.......

NOTE: This driver is for Mac OS X 10.6 or newer versions on the Intel-based Mac.
----
How does one tell if you have the right driver installed (couldn't see anything relevant in Sys Info?)?

Perhaps I did something wrong...or this is link is knackered now??

 

[maxb]

I downloaded the driver at that link for use with the white Belkin ethernet adapter Apple sell, BUT it caused my system to reboot repeatedly(!), until I used the included uninstall tool to remove it again.


These were the instructions on the installer package, which don't make it clear from #3 onwards:

---
This is the Mac OS X driver for Realtek 8152B/8153. The system will be rebooted after the driver is installed, so please close all the other applications before installing the driver. After the system is rebooted, please follow the following steps to configure the network:

1. Select the "System Preference" from the system menu.
2. Select and launch the "Network" item in the "System Preference" folder.
3. From the "Configure" list, select the adapter to be configured.
4. Configure the settings.
5. Click the "Save" button.

Then you can connect to the Ethernet.......

NOTE: This driver is for Mac OS X 10.6 or newer versions on the Intel-based Mac.
----
How does one tell if you have the right driver installed (couldn't see anything relevant in Sys Info?)?

Perhaps I did something wrong...or this is link is knackered now??

The one from ANKER is probably old and not up to date...

that one from Realtek seams to work fine for me on High Sierra

http://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads...=56&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

 

[jimthing]

The one from ANKER is probably old and not up to date...

that one from Realtek seams to work fine for me on High Sierra

http://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads...=56&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

Thanks, much appreciated.

For other readers, the download gives this:

But before I waste time doing this without knowing what I already have:

How does one tell if you have the right driver installed (couldn't see anything relevant in Sys Info?)?

Is there a way to find out?

 

[svendobbelaere]

Thanks, much appreciated.

For others info, the download gives this:
View attachment 724909


But before I waste time doing this without knowing what I already have:


Is there a way to find out?

I have a black Belkin USB-C ethernet adapter, not sure if it's the same one as you have but in a different cold(u)r.

Anyway, I didn't install anything, just plugged the thing in. In System Preferences --> Network -> choose the connected network interface from the list, I chose "Belkin USB-C LAN" --> Advanced --> tab 'Hardware' --> check the speed: mine says "1000baseT, which is gigabit.

 

[jimthing]

I have a black Belkin USB-C ethernet adapter, not sure if it's the same one as you have but in a different cold(u)r.

Anyway, I didn't install anything, just plugged the thing in. In System Preferences --> Network -> choose the connected network interface from the list, I chose "Belkin USB-C LAN" --> Advanced --> tab 'Hardware' --> check the speed: mine says "1000baseT, which is gigabit.

But that doesn't tell you the driver detail. Mine's the same info, just with the white Belkin (that was exclusive to Apple: https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter ).

 

[mwalter]

I am using the Belkin USB-C Ethernet adapter (black) with my 2016 MacBook Pro connected to the LG 5k. With the adapter plugged into the 5k (along with my Apple keyboard, iPhone, and an external drive), all devices plugged into the 5k, along with the built-in camera and microphone drop out when making video (Skype, Hangouts, etc) calls. I've moved various combinations of connections directly to the MacBook and the culprit seems to be the Belkin adapter. It disconnects when plugged directly into my MacBook during video calls, but the 5k and all peripherals connected to it stay connected.

I contacted Belkin and was told that there were no new drivers for the adapter. Are there any known security issues with installing this Realtek driver?