StarTech.com U2GA-USB-C-ETHERNET 2.5GbE USB-C to Ethernet Adapter

Product ID: U2GA-USB-C-ETHERNET

Overview

Add 2.5GbE network access to a laptop, tablet, or iPhone using an available USB Type-C or Type-A port. This USB 3.0 Type-C to Gigabit network adapter doubles your network performance on existing Cat5e cables, eliminating the need to upgrade cabling infrastructure. It features a built-in 6-inch (15cm) USB cable and is bus-powered, drawing power directly from the computer's USB port for a clutter-free setup without an external power adapter.

This slim form factor adapter is ideal for office use and hot desks. It allows for quicker downloads of large files, higher quality video conference streaming, and background cloud syncing, providing a faster and more secure wired connection compared to wireless. It is particularly suitable for IT professionals.

Simply plug the USB-C to Ethernet adapter into a laptop's USB port and connect to a network. The adapter utilizes a Realtek chipset with native driver support for Windows (10/11, ARM supported), Macbooks (macOS), Chromebooks (ChromeOS), Snapdragon, Linux, iPhones, and tablets. Windows operating systems without drivers will be prompted to download software directly from the adapter for quick, internet-free installation.

Visual Description of Adapter: A compact, silver-gray USB-C to Ethernet adapter with a built-in 6-inch (15cm) USB cable. The adapter features a USB Type-C connector on one end and an RJ45 Ethernet port on the other. It also includes a USB Type-A port for added versatility.

Certifications, Reports and Compatibility

Certifications include RoHS compliance, WEEE symbol, CE mark, FCC mark, and a general compatibility logo.

Compatible Operating Systems:

Windows 11 ARM
Windows 11
Windows 10
Windows 8.1
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2
Linux Kernel 2.4.20 and up (LTS Versions only)
macOS 10.11 - 10.15
macOS 11.0 (Big Sur)
macOS 12.0 (Monterey)
macOS 13.0 (Ventura)
macOS 14.0 (Sonoma)
ChromeOS
iOS
iPhones
Tablets

Note on macOS: VLAN tagging is currently not supported in macOS. Jumbo Frames are no longer supported in macOS.

Applications

Add multigigabit Ethernet network connectivity to a Laptop or Desktop through a USB Type-C or A port.
Slim form factor adapter for office use and hot desks.
Quickly download large files from a network.
Experience higher quality video conferencing.
Sync files to the cloud in the background with a faster/more secure connection compared to wireless.

Features

USB-C NETWORK ADAPTER: 2.5GbE USB-C to Ethernet Adapter with USB-A Converter allows you to add 2.5GbE network access to a laptop, tablet, or iPhone using an available USB Type-C or Type-A port; Doubles network performance on existing Cat5e cables.
BROAD COMPATIBILITY: Auto-installs most operating systems including Windows 7 and up, Linux LTS Kernel 4.19+ and up, MacOS/iOS/ChromeOS; Works with MacBooks, Chromebooks and all hardware platforms, including Intel, AMD, ARM (Snapdragon), and Apple Silicon.
2.5G OVER CAT5E: Leverage NBASE-T for 2.5Gbps speeds over existing Cat 5e cables without the expense of upgrading to Cat6A/Fiber; Features 4-speed auto-negotiation for optimal performance with network devices; Extends system longevity by retrofitting older systems.
TECH SPECS: USB-C (5Gbps); USB-A Adapter; 1x RJ45; 6in (15cm) Attached Cable; Supports 2.5Gbps Multi-Gigabit, 10/100Mbps & 1/2.5Gbps speeds; Realtek Chipset; NBASE-T & 2.5GBASE-T; Supports 16K Jumbo Frames (not supported in macOS); Includes WoL (Wake-on-LAN) and VLAN support; Bus-Powered; Thunderbolt Compatible.

Hardware Specifications

Attribute	Value
Warranty	2 Years
Ports	1
Interface	RJ45 (Gigabit Ethernet)
Bus Type	USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB Pass-Through	No
Industry Standards	IEEE 802.3i 10BASE-T IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T IEEE 802.1q VLAN Tagging IEEE 802.3x IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX IEEE 802.3bz 2.5GBase-T

Performance Specifications

Attribute	Value
Chipset ID	Realtek - RTL8156BG
Wake On Lan	Yes
Type	Copper
Type and Rate	USB 3.2 Gen 1 - 5 Gbit/s
Compatible Networks	2.5G/1G/100Mbps/10Mbps
Auto MDIX	Yes
PXE	Yes
Full Duplex Support	Yes
Jumbo Frame Support	16K max.
Promiscuous Mode	Yes
MTBF	1,612,526 hours

Connectors

Connector Type	Description
Connector A	1 - USB 3.2 Type-C (24 pin, Gen 1, 5Gbps)
Connector B	1 - RJ-45

Software Specifications

Attribute	Value
OS Compatibility	Windows 11 ARM Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 8 Windows 7 Windows Server 2022 Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2016 Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2008 R2 Linux Kernel 2.4.20 and up - LTS Versions only macOS 10.11 - 10.15 macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) macOS 12.0 (Monterey) macOS 13.0 (Ventura) macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) ChromeOS iOS iPhones Tablets Note: VLAN tagging and Jumbo Frames are not supported in macOS.

Attribute

Value

OS Compatibility

Windows 11 ARM
Windows 11
Windows 10
Windows 8.1
Windows 8
Windows 7
Windows Server 2022
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2
Linux Kernel 2.4.20 and up - LTS Versions only
macOS 10.11 - 10.15
macOS 11.0 (Big Sur)
macOS 12.0 (Monterey)
macOS 13.0 (Ventura)
macOS 14.0 (Sonoma)
ChromeOS
iOS
iPhones
Tablets
Note: VLAN tagging and Jumbo Frames are not supported in macOS.

Indicators

LED Indicators:

Network Card Activity: 1 indicator light.
Link Speed: 1 indicator light.
- Solid Green = Highest Link Speed (e.g., 2.5Gbps)
- Solid Amber = Lower Link Speeds (e.g., 1000/100/10Mbps)

Note on LED Behavior:

Solid Green = Network port is connected
Flashing Green = Network port is active

Power

Attribute	Value
Power Source	USB-Powered
Input Voltage	5V DC
Output Voltage	5 DC

Environmental

Attribute	Value
Operating Temperature	0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Storage Temperature	-10°C to 70°C (14°F to 158°F)
Humidity	10% to 85% RH (no condensation)

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Value
Color	Space Gray
Form Factor	Attached Cable
Material	Plastic
Cable Length	6.0 in [152 mm]
Product Length	10.0 in [25.5 cm]
Product Width	0.8 in [2.2 cm]
Product Height	0.6 in [1.5 cm]
Weight of Product	0.9 oz [26.0 g]

Packaging Information

Attribute	Value
Package Quantity	1
Package Length	5.0 in [12.7 cm]
Package Width	5.0 in [12.6 cm]
Package Height	0.7 in [1.9 cm]
Shipping (Package) Weight	1.1 oz [30.0 g]

What's in the Box

Item	Description
Included in Package	1 - USB Network Adapter

Warranty Information

Attribute	Value
Warranty	2 Years

*Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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