A battery powered 5 port switch

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  • JR2ALTA
    Service Manager

    Site Contributor
    1,000+ Posts
    • Feb 2010
    • 2030
    #1

    A battery powered 5 port switch

    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.
    Tags: None
    • blackcat4866
      Master Of The Obvious

      Site Contributor
      10,000+ Posts
      • Jul 2007
      • 22996
      #2
      Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

      I agree it would be handy. I carry a switch with my laptop kit. =^..^=
      If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
      1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
      2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
      3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
      4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
      5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

      blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

        Comment

        • Tonerbomb
          AutoMajical Resolutionist

          Site Contributor
          2,500+ Posts
          • Feb 2005
          • 2589
          #3
          Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

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

            Comment

            • blackcat4866
              Master Of The Obvious

              Site Contributor
              10,000+ Posts
              • Jul 2007
              • 22996
              #4
              Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

              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. =^..^=
              If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
              1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
              2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
              3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
              4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
              5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

              blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                Comment

                • KenB
                  Geek Extraordinaire

                  2,500+ Posts
                  • Dec 2007
                  • 3944
                  #5
                  Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                  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.
                  “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins

                    Comment

                    • Hansoon
                      Field Supervisor

                      Site Contributor
                      2,500+ Posts
                      • Sep 2007
                      • 3367
                      #6
                      Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

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




                      Hans
                      “ Sent from my Intel 80286 using MS-DOS 2.0 “
                      https://www.copytechnet.com/images/smilies/biggrin.png

                        Comment

                        • KenB
                          Geek Extraordinaire

                          2,500+ Posts
                          • Dec 2007
                          • 3944
                          #7
                          Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                          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.
                          “I think you should treat good friends like a fine wine. That’s why I keep mine locked up in the basement.” - Tim Hawkins

                            Comment

                            • techsass
                              Trusted Tech

                              Site Contributor
                              100+ Posts
                              • Dec 2010
                              • 248
                              #8
                              Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                              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

                                Comment

                                • MattL
                                  Technician

                                  50+ Posts
                                  • Apr 2012
                                  • 97
                                  #9
                                  Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                  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.

                                    Comment

                                    • SargeNZ
                                      Trusted Tech

                                      250+ Posts
                                      • May 2012
                                      • 263
                                      #10
                                      Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                      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.

                                        Comment

                                        • draph
                                          Trusted Tech

                                          100+ Posts
                                          • Jan 2010
                                          • 132
                                          #11
                                          Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                          I have to say this. All the posts to this topic were very useful and informative. That being said, if you read through them again, am I the only one who realizes what a technical GOD Blackcat is?

                                            Comment

                                            • drwevil
                                              Technician

                                              50+ Posts
                                              • Nov 2013
                                              • 53
                                              #12
                                              Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                              Just wondering, apart from doing a data capture, and then ONLY with their IT guys or gals permission.


                                              Why you would connect your laptop to another companies network?

                                              Your just asking for trouble .......

                                              If they then get a virus or whatever ... even if it didn't come from your laptop it will be your fault as far as the customer is concerned.

                                              alternatively if you pick something up from their network and infect your works network your IT guy will tear you a new but hole.

                                              Where I use to work putting your laptop on someone else's network was pretty much a sackable offence... not quite but close....

                                              I don't do it if I need to get my laptop on the net I hotspot my iPhone....

                                              Great ideas for battery powering a switch or hub..

                                                Comment

                                                • frodo
                                                  Technician
                                                  • Aug 2009
                                                  • 36
                                                  #13
                                                  Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                                  Originally posted by 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


                                                  Excellent, Just bought 3 of these for my techs.
                                                  $10.63 and free postage and had Aus Stock aswell

                                                  Thanks.

                                                    Comment

                                                    • CWP
                                                      Trusted Tech

                                                      100+ Posts
                                                      • Jun 2013
                                                      • 168
                                                      #14
                                                      Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                                      USB powered with ethernet pass-through and wireless capabilities. You shouldn't need anything else except maybe a USB battery pack if you can't power from the device.

                                                      And it is not expensive.

                                                      Amazon.com: ZyXEL 3-in-1 Wireless N Pocket Travel Router, Access Point, and Ethernet Client (MWR102): Computers & Accessories
                                                      Zyxel.jpg

                                                        Comment

                                                        • speedtek
                                                          Technician
                                                          • Apr 2013
                                                          • 46
                                                          #15
                                                          Re: A battery powered 5 port switch

                                                          After seeing this thread I went ahead and bought a USB-powered switch on eBay, and 2 days later another tech showed me his method:

                                                          Use a USB-to-ethernet dongle and just bridge the connection to your on-board ethernet. Takes up much less room!

                                                            Comment

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