A battery powered 5 port switch

[JR2ALTA]

I've been tapping into customers network to work right along side the machine a lot lately by using my 5 port switch. It's nice because often customers will want to print and scan while I am working. Assuming their not on a port-secured network that rejects uknown devices.

That got me to thinking how nice a battery powered switch would be for troubleshooting. I know it would be completely inpractical and foolish to run an actual network balanced on the backs of a couple AA batteries, but for us it would be sweet not to have to find an outlet. Alas, there is no such thing out there.

[blackcat4866]

I agree it would be handy. I carry a switch with my laptop kit. =^..^=

[Tonerbomb]

I'd get a hub also so you could do packet captures if needed..................

[blackcat4866]

Now you've got me curious.

This forum discusses the topic: Battery powered 4-5 port Network switch
A switch like this draws only 1/2 amp at 9vdc: Rosewill RC-405X 10/100Mbps Switch - Newegg.com

A 9v rectangular battery can supply 550mAH (milliamp hours), or approximately 500mA for 1 hour use, so it would be a poor choice for this job. Better: six "C" batteries in series can supply 6000mAH, or approximately 11 hours continuous use.

The Linksys EZXS55W in my bag draws 700 milliamps at 7.5vdc
So my Linksys would require five "C" batteries in series, and last approximately 8.5 hours.

It's a simple retrofit to add a battery pack with the appropriate power plug. It seems manageable to me. This website offers what I would consider to be reasonable expectations of the standard, off-the-shelf batteries: Battery Capacity
A "C" battery can support a continuous drain of 100mA (or 6 batteries: about 600mA).

Here is the battery holder: 6 C Cell Battery Holder
I'll have to create a "C" battery sized "filler" for my 5 cell pack. Perhaps a dead battery with a soldered bridge wire across it. All you need now the appropriate power connector. =^..^=

[KenB]

I've always carried an outlet "triple tap" so as to be assured some place to plug in either a hub or switch, not to mention my notebook.

A power strip is a bad idea; they don't supply enough current, especially on larger machines.

Then there are the customers that have the power filters that we sell. Not only do they protect the copier, but they provide 2 convenience outlets as well.

[Hansoon]

I always carry a miniature 3-port switch powered by the USB port of my laptop. Very convenient.

Netzwerk Switch RJ45 superflach mit USB-Stromversorgung 3 Port 100 MBit/s | voelkner - direkt günstiger


Hans

[KenB]

I know it's kinda rare, but some intelligent switches can detect an added switch or hub.

I had that happen in a hospital a few years ago. Once their switch detected my 5 port hub, it shut the port down.

Some customers strictly prohibit switches or hubs, so you have to be careful, and not just assume it's OK.

[techsass]

I just got this USB switch off of Ebay. It's compact & the shipping from Hong Kong only took about 10 days - I didn't notice the location until it was too late.

Tried to use it today for the 1st time & the client's network wasn't using DHCP.

Fast Ethernet Network Switch Hub USB Cable Kable 5 Ports 10 100Mbps 2014 | eBay

[MattL]

If that was me I would not want any foreign devices to my network connecting. Anyone tried that with me and and that would be the contract terminated there and then.

[SargeNZ]

The USB powered switch would be a good idea for those times when you need to access the web end of the copier but still allow their print jobs through. Usually with the clients permission I can get the Wifi password but of course this is not always available. I don't think anyone is suggesting that you just roll up and jam your laptop+switch into the network willy nilly.