Quick and easy networking

The D-Link DUB-E100 is a Fast Ethernet adapter that plugs into a USB port on a Windows-based PC. While it is designed for USB 2.0 speeds, it is also compatible with slower USB 1.1 adapters. Similarly, the Ethernet connection automatically selects 10Mb/s or 100Mb/s connections. Since the adapter receives its power from the computer's USB port, there are no other cables flopping about.

The installation experience
I have installed two of these adapters: one on a machine running XP Professional, the other running 2000 Professional. In both cases the installation was simple: plug the network cable into the adapter, plug the adapter into the computer, and wait for it to prompt me for the setup CD. The drivers loaded uneventfully and the computers got connected with no fuss. From a Windows point of view, the D-Link adapter looks like any other network interface -- there's nothing unusual here.

If you hate opening up your computer or are unhandy with tools, you will love this adapter.

Useful for non-traditional networking jobs
One practical application for this adapter is to add a second network port for your PC, in case you want to directly connect to some device that you don't want on the rest of your network. My job occasionally requires that I program equipment through a web interface; it is very handy to have a second port that ties right to the device I'm programming -- I set it up for a completely different address range from my main network, so I can do the programming without being disconnected from my email and other network functions. And with the D-Link, I can just unplug it and tuck it away when I don't need it. Very handy!

Performance
I haven't run formal tests on the adapter, but the file transfers I have done were fully as fast as I would expect on a 100-base-T network. As a practical matter, the adapter runs so much faster than the fastest internet connection, most users will probably never have an occasion to approach the D-Link's limits.

Final impressions
The review guide asks what I hate; I simply can't come up with anything beyond wishing for a small piece of Velcro to secure the adapter. The DUB-E100 exactly filled the need for a quick and easy network adapter on a machine with no available slots, and has become unexpectedly useful for other purposes. I don't see how it can get any better!