Workaround for Mac OS X Conflicts between DisplayLink and USB ethernet

Posted on 16. Jun, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in Using

Plugable uses DisplayLink chips for USB graphics, and ASIX chips for USB Ethernet functionality. And we have both chips in devices like our Plugable USB 2.0 Universal Docking Station.

Unfortunately, on Mac OS X, there is a conflict between recent DisplayLink drivers 1.5+ and the Apple drivers (AppleUSBEthernet) for ASIX chips. The DisplayLink drivers appear to open other USB devices as part of enumeration. As a side effect, this causes USB ethernet devices to show as “disconnected” upon return from system boot or hibernate.

That’s in addition to other graphics and ethernet driver compatibility breaks that Apple’s recent OS X 10.6 updates have introduced, including breaking AppleUSBEthernet for non-Apple USB ethernet hardware.

Until these issues settle down and are fixed in the drivers from DisplayLink, ASIX, and Apple, here is a workaround for the current issues with the ethernet function of the Plugable Universal Docking Station:

Step 1 is to download and install ASIX drivers that are compatible with recent Mac OS X 10.6: http://plugable.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/AppleDefaultDriver_v2.1.5.zip

Step 2 is to copy the following script to a file (call it “install”), and run “sudo ./install”

#!/bin/bash
sudo echo "#!/bin/bash" > /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset
sudo echo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEthernet >> /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset
sudo echo kextload -b com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEthernet >> /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset
sudo chown root /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset
sudo chmod o+x /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset
sudo defaults write com.apple.loginwindow LoginHook /usr/bin/plugable-eth-reset

Now, logging out and logging back in will automatically reload the ethernet driver. Unfortunately, this does not cover the return from low-power cases. Unless we find an improvement to the workaround, you’ll have to log out/log in or just run “sudo /usr/bin/eth-reset” so trigger the script.

As there may be variations in systems out there, please comment if you get different results, and we’ll post an update here at Plugable if (as we hope) this is fixed more directly in the DisplayLink or ASIX drivers in the future.

And, generally if you’re a Mac OS X user, please be cautious about OS updates which might break 3rd party hardware drivers. If you have non-Apple USB hardware, consider deferring updates until there’s time for other people to report on forums about compatibility.

Windows, Mac, Linux, and Information Overload

Posted on 24. May, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in Windows

Our philosophy is to support all three of Windows, Mac, and Linux for all of Plugable’s hardware products, to the greatest degree possible. And when there are limits (as there often are) we try to tell you about them up front.

We do this because we know you use a mix of machines, or may be thinking about switching one way or another. And when you invest in a collection of USB devices, you want them to be useful beyond your current computer. That’s what we expect, too.

All this activity can get a little noisy, though. A little too much information.

That’ll be especially true for some exciting but technically involved work that’s happening over the next few months on Linux with the Google Summer of Code project for USB multiseat, which makes use of some of our Plugable hardware.

So if you’re interested in just one platform or another, here is a way to get just the news that you care about, and get rid of the rest of the noise:

And for those wanting an even more customized view — just append /feed to the tail end of any category view on the site, to get an even more specific feed, if you’re interested.

A discount code for launch: the UGA-125

Posted on 27. Apr, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in Windows

We’re about to formally launch Plugable’s new UGA-125 USB 2.0 to VGA/DVI/HDMI Adapter for Multiple Monitors up to 1440×900 each, with DisplayLink DL-125 chip inside.

We’ve been able to get the UGA-125 down under the $50 price point with all the great service and free shipping benefits of Amazon.com. But for our fans who follow Plugable, we have an additional discount.

Enter claim code “LOVEPLUG” before checkout, and you’ll get an additional $5 off. But only during our launch window, from now until the end of April. And only selling in the USA for now, sorry.

And whether in the market for a new product or not, we’d like to send a big “thank you!” to all our loyal customers who take the time to follow what’s new at Plugable.

Page 1 of 3123