usb network hub

Cat509 wrote:
I have a usb network hub connected to my mac mini using snow leopard.

Just a side comment: unless you have a device that's unknown to me, the term "network" isn't one that's normally used with "USB hub".

I can see my belkin card reader on it and I can see my wacom tablet on it. However, I can't see my VF0415 Live! Cam Vid. IM Ultra on it. The webcam works connected directly in to my mac. I also works connected to my network hub on my Microsoft Vista desktop machine. The hub knows the webam is supposed to be there but it says not connected in the status even though it is connected to the hub. Any ideas on how to get it to see the camera as connected and get it to be listed in the connected devices on my mac?

I'm not sure how useful my advice will be, but is your USB hub powered or unpowered? (In other words, did it come with a power adapter and is that plugged in?) If it's unpowered, it's possible that it's not receiving enough power from your Mac's USB port. You might also check System Profiler (accessible from the "About This Mac" panel's "More Info" button to see if the camera is visible there. Select the "USB" entry under the "Hardware" category.

there is one thing I know of; it's called a "network USB hub" and it's from Belkin. Part number: F5L009


Despite saying on the box it works with OS X and promised software upgrades I've had one for well over a year and is still does not work in 10.6. It didn't ever work in 10.5. sometimes things would connect, sometimes they wouldn't. I use it as a very expensive power point for charging my iPod now. I won't by Belkin again.

puzzlebobble wrote:
there is one thing I know of; it's called a "network USB hub" and it's from Belkin. Part number: F5L009

I stand corrected.

Despite saying on the box it works with OS X and promised software upgrades I've had one for well over a year and is still does not work in 10.6. It didn't ever work in 10.5. sometimes things would connect, sometimes they wouldn't. I use it as a very expensive power point for charging my iPod now. I won't by Belkin again.

The Belkin Web page for that product says nothing about support for OS X.

Hi. To answer you question: Everything I have read says it won't work with certain bi-directional high speed usb devices. This usually includes webcams and usb video class devices. The Belkin unit does have few features that allows for certain devices to work. For example I have heard that it would work with certain scanners. (Can't verify though since I never have used one.)

Sorry that it probably isn't the answer you were hoping for, but it alas until someone comes up with a better wireless USB solution this is one of limitations to most of the network aware usb hubs out there.

---If it isn't too much trouble maybe you could answer some questions I have since you have a unit to play with:

I am thinking about buying this hub to use in conjunction with an airport express base station to use as a semi wireless syncing solution with my iPhone. Idea being that the Airport would sit in the bedroom, wirelessly connected to my network and acting as a bridge connected via Ethernet cable to the Belkkin unit. My question is does the device seem to work with the iPods for syncing over the network with iTunes?

Also what, if any, OS X 10.6 (10.6.2) install issues have you noticed with the driver? From what I gather on the forums people are saying they can't install the 10.5 driver on OS X 10.6+ and get the device to function. Any truth?

Message was edited by: BloggingRhino

Cat509,

I was only interested in setting up a docking station that was wirelessly connected to my mac (located in another part of the house) as a sync. Basically, I throw my keys and phone on a table by the door and only casually sync my phone with my computer for media. Everything else is handled through MobileMe. The idea being since I religiously charge my phone, charging it in a dock connected to the Belkin hub would allow for a wireless sync to my main Mac. Although my guess is that the sync could be somewhat slow since the Ethernet port on the Belkin unit is only a 10/100 connection. --Which honestly might not be a deal breaker since I imagine only putting the iPhone in the dock at night during sleep anyways. I know...seems like a lot of work for something that could be solved by walking over to my main Mac and just connecting my phone...but the idea is that I could set up several "wireless" docks through out the house and no matter what it would sync with a single Mac/iTunes library as it charges without the need to have it actually tethered to my Mac.

(It would be nice if someone would just come up with a 802.11n iPod/iPhone dock. Or better yet Apple's next version of the iPhone would come with 802.11n wireless with wireless sync enabled in the software (OS/iTunes). I keep hearing the battery issue argument, but that can easily be solved by only enabling 802.11n syncing while connected via power supply. My guess is that it has to do with product experience more than anything else why there isn't any good solution for wireless media syncing. 802.11n is still a bit slow with the real world figures and overhead. And let's face it...with capacities growing on the devices and our own media libraries/media file sizes growing in tandem, USB 2.0 is starting to look slower and slower. --I'd like to say USB 3.0 could save us but then you get into the actual media read/write speed issues.)

@williamBoydJunior
"The Belkin Web page for that product says nothing about support for OS X. "

maybe not now, but on the box they definitely said it worked in OS X. I don't have the webpage saved but I'm almost 100% certain the website concurred at the time of purchase. I had a fairly lengthy discussion with Belkin tech support and they promised a software update in a few months, which is still a beta now: http://en-uk-support.belkin.com/app/answers/detail/aid/2778/related/1/kw/f5l009/rid/166

and still isn't reliable. I very much got the impression they don't manufacture the device themselves and are reliant on a third party for software.

I would strongly recommend not connecting anything with a hard drive or capable of being damaged by sudden disconnection. It messed up a hard-drive and iPod of mine.

I'm waiting since september, I've called 3 times to belkin and They always say the same: We're working in a solution. Please, visit UK belkin support web in a few month to get update. But It never come.

I'll never buy another belkin stuff.

hi mtovar,

that's exactly what they've been telling me, except it has been much longer. I've given up on them.

I read your post with a sinking feeling, but after some false starts, I have just connected my Belkin F5L009 network usb hub with computers running OS x 10.6.2 and OS X 10.5.8. I downloaded the drivers from the Belkin site for OS X 10.5, and it still wouldn't connect up. I then read the Belkin instructions carefully and realised that the Belkin disc that comes with the product has to be installed on all the computers on the network so each computer communicates with the peripherals through the Belkin control panel that is installed - I did that and now it works fine. Husband was all ready to send the Belkin back to the shop but I guessed that 10.6 is not so different to 10.5 and the drivers are there for 10.5. I've connected a scanner and a printer so far and both work perfectly.

The Belkin hub is ethernet connected to the wireless router (netgear) which is ethernet wired to the computer running 10.6 and is wireless to the computer running 10.5 Hope this helps.