usb ethernet and smart card reader

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usb ethernet and smart card reader

I plug in my ethernet connector to my 11" and get a network connection. I then use the other USB port to plug in my ActivCard smart card reader so I can plug in my CAC. The ethernet connection is lost. If I then unplug the ethernet adaptor while keeping in my smart card reader and re-insert, the ethernet connection returns. What is going on?
When I try to start up a Citrix session it balks and sayd that Citrix requires port '1494' which is already in use. But it isn't? Why?

11" Air, Mac OS X (10.6.6), ActivCard USB Reader V2.0

Posted on Mar 1, 2011 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 1, 2011 7:08 PM in response to daylightnine

Both are on the same USB bus, meaning they have to share it. I think that there is a conflict between the two for resources. My guess is that the card reader is the issue (not in spec). Is the port busy only after you have lost the Ethernet and then got it going again? Might be that the Network stack thinks the original connection is still there..... don't know. Never heard of the ActivCard, but I live a sheltered life... Good luck!

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Answer 2

Mar 31, 2011 11:00 AM in response to daylightnine

I have this exact problem, but it's not ActivReader-specific -- plugging ANY smartcard reader into the other USB port will kill my USB-to-Ethernet-adapter connection, and then unplugging/replugging the network adapter will restore it.

My total setup: I have my 27" LED Cinema plugged into the right-hand USB port, and my USB-to-Ethernet adapter plugged into the Cinema; my left-hand USB port is generally free, and is where I plug my smartcard reader in when I need to use it.

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Answer 3

niwe

Level 1

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May 19, 2011 8:38 AM in response to daylightnine

I have the same Problem. Same constellation as hombrequeso. Is there any solution?

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Answer 4

Jul 30, 2011 3:40 PM in response to daylightnine

I have an early Macbook Air with only one USB port, but I think it's having essentially the same problem as daylightnine, hombrequeso and niwe above (ethernet plus CAC reader never working on same USB controller). With any external USB hub, I could get things working for about 5 minutes before the light went out on the CAC reader or the ethernet turned off. Frustrating. The ethernet adapter draws 250 mA and the CAC reader advertises 100 mA draw, which is tolerably within the 500 mA port supply for the MB Air. I saw the same trouble using two other externally powered hubs, so it seemed not to be a power issue at all (agrees with Michaelworks).

Finally, the "Kensington USB Mini Dock with Ethernet for Mac/PC" worked reliably with both the CAC reader and the ethernet. It had favorable comments about working with Mac over at Amazon, where I also put my remarks.

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-USB-Mini-Dock-Ethernet/dp/B0029F1XNW/

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Answer 5

MJ

Level 1

143 points

Sep 24, 2013 1:22 PM in response to daylightnine

I have the same problem with my Macbook Pro Retina...total pain the the neck, and I see no reason for this to still be broken.

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